CEREC Same-Day Restorations – Forest, VA
Fast, Convenient, and Beautiful Dental Restorations
If you have ever gotten a dental crown or bridge in the past, you might remember a somewhat lengthy process that required you to make multiple trips to your dentist’s office. Many practitioners still use that method, and while it is effective, it lacks efficiency. Thankfully, we have invested in CEREC technology, which allow us to create beautiful, strong, and highly functional dental restorations right here in our office — all in a single appointment! Read on below to learn more about CEREC same-day restorations in Forest, VA.
What Are CEREC Same-Day Restorations?
CEREC is an acronym that stands for “chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics.” That sounds like a mouthful, but the basic concept is pretty easy to understand. Basically, we have advanced dental scanning technology and an in-office ceramic milling unit. Together, they are able to help us design and fabricate dental crowns and bridges without coordinating with a dental laboratory. It takes just one appointment for us to provide you with a beautiful, functional, and permanent bridge or same-day crown in Forest.
What Is the CEREC Same-Day Process?
Just like with traditional restorations, we start the CEREC process by preparing your tooth for a crown. This involves removing a bit of enamel so the tooth will fit well beneath its restoration. Next, rather than using goopy manual impressions, we scan your teeth to create a digital impression. Your dentist can then use that data to design your restoration.
Once the design is finalized, a machine uses a block of dental-grade ceramic to carve your restoration. After we verify that its fit, size, and color are all a perfect fit for your smile, we can permanently attach it to your tooth (or teeth, if you are getting a bridge).
What Are the Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Restorations?
Some benefits of CEREC technology include:
- It is efficient. You only need to make one trip to our office to get bridges or dental crowns in Forest.
- The restorations are beautiful. Dental ceramic bears a strong resemblance to natural tooth enamel. Onlookers may have no idea that you have had some restorative work done on your smile.
- The restorations are durable. CEREC crowns and bridges are just as durable and functional as ones that are crafted in a traditional manner.
- There is no need for a temporary crown. Because the CEREC process is so fast, you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of a temporary crown while you are waiting for a laboratory to make your permanent one.
Would you like to learn more about CEREC technology? Get in touch with us today to ask questions or schedule an appointment.
CEREC Same-Day Restorations FAQs
Are CEREC dental crowns permanent?
CEREC dental crowns are made from durable materials and customized to fit each tooth receiving them, and they can last for up to fifteen years or more if they receive excellent care. While this certainly makes them a long-term solution to infections and injuries that compromise teeth, they cannot be called truly permanent since they will eventually have to be replaced. Since the process of placing crowns involves removing a small amount of enamel that will not grow back, the teeth that receive them will have to wear them for life for protection from infection and injury. To keep your crown in excellent condition for as long as possible, be sure to take proper care of it by practicing excellent oral hygiene, visiting Crossroads Family Dentistry for routine checkups and cleanings, and wearing protective devices such as nightguards when appropriate.
How long do CEREC dental crowns last?
A crown that receives excellent care can last between five and fifteen years or possibly more, but certain other factors can affect your restoration’s lifespan. For example, metal crowns may last slightly longer than metal-free ones, but the difference is often negligible, and crowns used to restore molars may not last as long as those that restore front teeth since they do not endure as much chewing pressure. However, the most important factor for how long your dental crown can last is how well you maintain it with habits like:
- Brushing and flossing every day.
- Taking care to clean along the seam between your crown and your tooth when brushing.
- Being mindful when chewing, especially when enjoying hard, sticky, or chewy foods.
- Visiting Crossroads Family Dentistry regularly for routine exams and cleanings.
- Refraining from using your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Avoiding excessive consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages like soda, candy, pastries, and alcohol.
- Kicking bad oral habits like smoking and chewing on ice or inedible materials like wood, plastic, metal, or fingernails.
How do you know when a dental crown needs to be replaced?
Only a qualified dentist such as one of the staff members at Crossroads Family Dentistry can make a definitive call as to whether your crown needs to be replaced. However, certain signs you may notice on your own can help you know when it’s time to schedule an appointment at our Forest office. These include:
- Pain: If the tooth wearing a crown is giving you pain when chewing or at rest, it may be because of an untreated infection that may require the crown to be removed or replaced altogether.
- Instability: Your crown should always remain securely attached to your tooth. If it is wiggling about, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
- Degraded appearance: Your crown should keep your tooth beautiful as well as healthy, so distracting chips, cracks, and stains can be reason enough to get a new one.
- Dark line: An old-fashioned porcelain-fused-to-metal crown may show an unsightly dark line around its base as the ceramic part is worked loose from the metal part.
Of course, traditional dental crowns can be replaced with comfortable and convenient CEREC dental crowns that can be placed in a single day.