Please note we may not offer this service at our office. Call our Wilmington office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford office at (302) 536-7589 to learn more.
Discover How You Can Get Dental Crowns in a Single Visit
Dental crowns are essential for restoring the function and aesthetics of damaged or weakened teeth. Thanks to advancements in digital technology, you can now receive permanent crowns in just one visit. Continue reading to find out if same-day crowns are the right choice for you.
Our dentists in Wilmington and Seaford, DE, are dedicated to providing you with the information you need to determine the best treatment for your needs. Contact our Wilmington office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford office at (302) 536-7589 for more details.
What Are Same-Day Crowns?
Same-day crowns, also known as CEREC crowns (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics), are personalized dental restorations crafted, manufactured, and placed during a single visit to selected dental offices. They help restore the functionality and appearance of teeth that are damaged, decayed, or weakened.
What Is CEREC?
CEREC technology represents a revolutionary advancement in dentistry, combining computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to produce custom dental restorations. This technology transforms the traditional method of creating dental crowns, making it more efficient and precise.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
Same-day dental crowns provide numerous advantages over traditional crown restorations. Here are some key benefits that make CEREC crowns a preferred choice for many patients:
- Time-Saving: With CEREC technology, the entire crown restoration process is completed in just one dental visit, eliminating the need for multiple appointments and temporary crowns.
- Precision and Accuracy: CAD/CAM technology ensures highly accurate measurements, resulting in crowns that fit comfortably and naturally in your mouth.
- Biocompatible Materials: CEREC crowns are crafted from high-quality ceramic materials that are biocompatible, ensuring they’re safe for your oral health without causing allergies or sensitivities.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The ceramic material used in CEREC crowns closely mimics the natural color and translucency of teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.
- Durable and Long-lasting: Known for their durability and longevity, CEREC crowns can last for many years with proper care, offering dependable tooth restoration.
How Do CEREC Crowns Work?
The CEREC crown procedure uses advanced computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology to simplify the creation of personalized dental restorations. Instead of requiring multiple dental visits, you can rejuvenate your smile in just one appointment.
Here’s a step-by-step look at the process:
- Digital Impression: Your dentists will utilize a specialized intraoral scanner to capture a 3D image of your teeth and gums, replacing the need for traditional physical impressions.
- Designing the Crown: This digital impression is then transferred to a computer, where your dentist employs CAD software to design a virtual model of your dental crown, allowing for precise customization and adjustments.
- Milling Process: After finalizing the design, it’s sent to a milling machine that carves the crown from a solid block of ceramic material. This efficient process only takes a few minutes.
- Placement and Bonding: Once the crown is crafted, our dentists will assess its fit and appearance before securely bonding it to your tooth with dental cement. The crown is then polished to ensure a natural look and feel.
Caring for Same-Day Crowns
To maximize the longevity of your same-day crown, consider the following care tips:
- Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene: Maintain a good oral care routine by brushing your teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss regularly to eliminate plaque and debris from between your teeth and along the gumline. Incorporate an antibacterial mouthwash as advised by your dentist.
- Be Cautious with Hard or Sticky Foods: Exercise caution when eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could potentially damage or dislodge the crown. Avoid chewing on ice, or hard candies, or using your teeth to open packages to prevent undue stress on the crown.
- Schedule Regular Dental Visits: Keep up with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings as recommended by our dentists. These appointments allow our dentists to assess your dental crown’s condition, early detection of any issues, and necessary maintenance or adjustments.
- Consider a Night Guard or Bite Splint: If you tend to grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), your dentist might suggest using a night guard or bite splint to shield your dental crown and natural teeth from excessive force and wear.
- Limit Tobacco and Staining Substances: Tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, can stain the dental crown and affect its appearance. You may also want to reduce the intake of staining substances like coffee, tea, red wine, or colored beverages to preserve the crown’s natural color.
- Address Concerns Promptly: Should you experience any discomfort or sensitivity or notice changes in the fit or appearance of the dental crown, promptly contact your dentist for an evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, the CEREC process is safe. Utilizing digital impressions eliminates the need for traditional, messy impressions, enhancing patient comfort. Moreover, the ceramic materials used in CEREC restorations are biocompatible and are well-accepted by oral tissues.
CEREC restorations can endure for many years when combined with proper oral hygiene practices and regular dental checkups. However, the longevity of these restorations can be influenced by individual factors such as oral habits, bite forces, and maintenance routines, similar to traditional restorations.
The price of same-day dental crowns can differ based on the dentist and location. Typically, same-day crowns might be a bit pricier than traditional crowns due to the cutting-edge technology and materials involved. However, same-day crowns can offer cost savings over time by minimizing the number of necessary dental visits and related expenses.
Revitalize Your Smile in a Single Visit
Same-day crowns are an excellent option for patients who require dental restorations but cannot commit to multiple dental appointments or waiting periods. With the use of digital technology, same-day dental crowns have revolutionized the way dental restorations are performed.
Reach out to our Wilmington office at (302) 999-7600 or our Seaford office at (302) 536-7589 to book a consultation with our skilled dentists. We’re delighted to welcome new and returning patients from Delaware and its neighboring regions.
