CEREC Same-Day Crowns

CEREC is short for CEramic REConstruction. This method of dentistry uses a special computerized milling machine to carve a dental crown out of a block of porcelain in just a few minutes, using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) technology.

Traditional crowns must be made by a third-party dental laboratory, and this takes up to 2-3 weeks, since your dentist must send over your information, the lab has to build the crown, and then the crown has to be sent back to your dentist.

But with CEREC, our dentists inHolden can quickly create custom-fitted porcelain crowns in our office in just a few minutes, so you can get a crown in one day, and in just a single appointment at Khanani Family Dental.

The CEREC crown process is simple to understand. To begin the process, Dr. Khanani will clean and numb the treatment area. Then he will use a dental drill to gently remove any damaged enamel from your teeth, and reshape the tooth to accommodate a dental crown.

With a handheld digital scanner, he will take a 3D image of your tooth. Dr. Khanani will upload this to our CEREC computer, and will use it to build a custom-fitted dental crown that will fit your mouth perfectly.

Once he has finalized his design, Dr. Khanani will load a tooth-colored block of porcelain into our CEREC CAD/CAM milling machine. Then, this machine will automatically trim the porcelain block to create your dental crown.

Finally, Dr. Khanani will remove the crown from the CEREC machine and check it to make sure it fits your mouth perfectly, making minor adjustments if needed. Then, he will use dental cement to attach it to your tooth permanently, completing the procedure.

CEREC is more convenient, since you can get a crown in just a single 2 hour appointment at our office, as compared to 2 appointments over 2-3 weeks. You also don’t need to wear a temporary crown between your appointments, which can be uncomfortable and annoying.

In addition to this, CEREC uses a digital tool to take impressions of your teeth. There’s no need for putty-based dental impressions, which many patients find to be uncomfortable, especially if they have a strong gag reflex.

For all of these reasons and many more, same-day crowns in Holden from Khanani Family Dental are a great option if you need to restore a damaged or decayed tooth.

A traditional dental crown lasts for 10-15 years and a CEREC dental crown can last for just as long or longer if properly cared for. By keeping wear, tear, and staining to a minimum, there’s no reason a CEREC dental crown can’t last for up to 20-30 years.

However, you must practice good oral hygiene, regularly visit the dentist, and avoid bad habits that can cause wearing down or chipping of your dental crown. Though CEREC crowns are made out of stain-resistant porcelain materials, they can still become discolored over time, just like your natural teeth.

You care for CEREC crowns in the same way that you care for traditional dental crowns. There aren’t any special maintenance protocols for dental crowns but you do need to thoroughly remove food particles from your teeth by regularly brushing and flossing to prevent plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay.
‍
Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. You should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle with fluoride toothpaste. You should floss once a day and don’t neglect to brush your tongue which also harbors a lot of bacteria in the mouth.
‍
The ADA recommends that you visit the dentist for a dental cleaning and checkup every 6 months. Dental cleanings remove surface stains and plaque and tartar buildup. Checkups will help your dentist detect early warning signs of cavities or gum disease and your dentist will be able to check the condition of your dental crowns. If there is any sign of looseness or damage, the crowns will need to be repaired or replaced.

To avoid staining your dental crowns:

• Do not smoke or use tobacco products
• Drink through a straw
• Limit your consumption of staining foods
• Limit your consumption of tea, coffee, and red wine

To avoid causing wear and tear to your dental crowns:

• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
• Do not use your teeth as tools
• Do not chew on ice, hard foods like nuts or hard candy, or objects

This depends on the reason for the CEREC crown, the type of insurance you have, and the level of coverage. Some dental plans may cover CEREC crowns while others don’t and the amount they will cover may vary.

Typically, CEREC crowns are only covered by insurance if they are deemed medically necessary such as to cover a damaged or decayed tooth. If the crown is for purely aesthetic reasons, then it is unlikely to be covered by insurance. The best way to find out is to speak with your insurance provider and ask what and how much they will cover.

At Khanani Family Dental, we accept a variety of different insurance networks. Even if you don’t have insurance, we offer financing options such as:

• CareCredit
• Proceed Finance
• Payment plans
• A savings plan for new and existing patients

If you’re interested in CEREC same-day dental crowns, contact us at Khanani Family Dental today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salman Khanani.