Same-Day Crowns in Oak Creek

cerec same-day crowns in Oak Creek

Crowns are the best way to restore a tooth that’s been damaged by an accident, tooth decay, or gum disease. They cover up and “cap” the entire surface of the tooth, restoring its natural appearance and strengthening the remaining tooth enamel. Traditionally, this process can take several appointments. But with CEREC same-day crowns at Oak Creek Dental Care, you can get your new crown in just a few hours!

What is cerec?

CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It’s a specialized tool used to create dental restorations like crowns and veneers. In the past, it would take weeks to make a dental crown, because dentists couldn’t create them in their offices and they would need to be outsourced to third party labs. CEREC uses 3D modeling and scanning software, and a state-of-the-art machine that can create dental crowns in just 30 minutes.

cerec same-day crown process

The entire CEREC process takes only one appointment. First, Dr. Saleki will clean and prep the area, numbing the tooth and isolating it with a dental dam. Dr. Saleki will use a specialized powder to coat your teeth, and he’ll take images of the interior of your mouth with a 3D scanner. These images are uploaded to the CEREC machine, where your dental crown will be cut and shaped from a small block of porcelain. Once Dr. Saleki ensures that your new crown fits perfectly in your mouth, it will be bonded permanently into place.

the benefit of cerec

Our patients love CEREC crowns because they make crown treatments so efficient and convenient:

• Takes just one day – It’s hard enough to find time for one dental appointment, let alone the multiple appointments required for a traditional crown. But with CEREC, you can get a crown in just one day!
• Better fit and finish – With CEREC, it’s easier for Dr. Saleki to fine-tune and adjust the fit of your crown, meaning you’ll get a better overall fit and finish.
• No temporary crown required – Temporary crowns can be unsightly and uncomfortable, and patients who receive traditional crown must wear one while they wait for their permanent crown to be manufactured. With CEREC, no temporary crowns are required!

Comparing CEREC Vs. Traditional Crowns

CEREC crowns are an excellent alternative to traditional lab-made crowns. But you may be wondering how the two compare to each other. Here’s a quick overview of some of the differences and similarities between these two treatments.
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Material – CEREC crowns are made out of a block of tooth-colored porcelain. They are 100% ceramic, with no metal. Lab-made crowns, in contrast, usually use a metal base with a porcelain shell. They tend to be slightly more durable than CEREC crowns, but this is usually not very noticeable.

Appearance – Because traditional crowns use a metal base, they don’t always look as bright as CEREC crowns, which are made of pure porcelain. However, lab-made crowns sometimes have a finer level of fine detail. This is due to the process by which a lab-made crown is cast and built. However, this difference is nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye.

Overall treatment time – It takes at least 2 appointments over a period of 2-3 weeks to prepare, fit, build, and place a traditional crown. In contrast, CEREC takes just a single 2-hour appointment.

Patient comfort – With traditional crowns, you have to have messy dental impressions taken of your mouth using dental putty, and you have to wear a temporary resin crown to protect your tooth between appointments. This is not necessary with CEREC. We use a digital scanner to take impressions of your teeth, and there’s no need to wear a temporary crown, since your crown will be placed in just one day.

How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?

CEREC crowns have a similar lifespan to lab-made crowns. The typical lifespan of a CEREC crown is between 10-15 years, but it’s possible to keep your crown for 20+ years if you take excellent care of your teeth.
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Just like your natural teeth, your crown will eventually become worn down, and require replacement. But this is very simple, and the process is identical to getting your crown for the first time. Dr. Saleki will simply remove the old crown, ensure the underlying tooth is healthy, and then craft a new crown using our advanced CEREC technology.

How To Care For Your New CEREC Crown

You should treat your new CEREC crown just like a natural tooth. This means that it’s important to brush and floss properly. You should brush twice a day for at least two minutes, and make sure you clean each surface of your teeth thoroughly. You also need to floss once per day to remove debris that can’t be eliminated with brushing alone.
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In addition, it’s important to come to Oak Creek Dental Care for six-month visits with Dr. Saleki. At your six-month visit, Dr. Saleki will examine your natural teeth and your CEREC crown. Visiting us for a checkup every six months lets him keep an eye on your oral health, and look for signs of cavities, gum disease, crown failure, and other such common issues.
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Finally, you should avoid doing things that could damage your crown or your natural teeth. For example, don’t use your teeth as tools to open bottles or packages. Don’t chew non-food objects like pens or pencils, and try to avoid biting very hard foods with your front teeth.

schedule an appointment

If you have a damaged or cracked tooth and think you may need a dental crown, call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Saleki. If you’re short on time, but you need to correct a painful or damaged tooth, our CEREC technology may be the right choice for you. Contact us at (414) 762-9010 to get started, or drop by our office at 132 E Drexel Ave, Oak Creek, WI, 53154.