CEREC® Crowns vs. Traditional Dental Crowns
CEREC® crowns are a great dental restoration option that offers convenience, ease, and efficient results. However, they are still rather new to dentistry, which can cause those that are considering their options to have a lot of questions. CEREC® crowns achieve the same goal as traditional crowns do, but the way the process is executed is much different. Keep reading to find out more about CEREC® crowns.
Understanding CEREC® crowns and how they differ from traditional dental crowns
Below is an overview of both CEREC crowns and traditional dental crowns. Additionally, the differences between the two are highlighted, which can be helpful in understanding which restoration option is most suitable for you.
CEREC crowns
CEREC crowns are custom-created ceramic dental crowns that are typically made in just one appointment. CEREC stands for the chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics, which relies on CAD/CAM technology, also known as computer-aided design/manufacturing. CEREC crowns are only made of ceramic materials and they are made right in a dentist's office using the CAD/CAM machine. The CAD/CAM machine takes digital impressions, which are similar to photographs. Then, the machine is notified to create the CEREC crown. After a few minutes, the crown is ready for placement.
Traditional dental crowns
Traditional dental crowns are made of many materials, including ceramic, porcelain, metal, gold, and hybrid options that combine metal and porcelain. They are made based on physically molded impressions that the dentist takes. After they have been taken, the dental lab will use these impressions to custom-create the crown with the chosen material. The entire process for traditional dental crowns can take anywhere from a week to three weeks.
Comparing and contrasting
Both dental crown options offer patients the same goal of restoring teeth that are in bad shape, whether it be due to decay, accidents, and injuries or imperfections, such as staining. However, the main difference between CEREC crowns and traditional ones is that CEREC is made in just one day, whereas traditional crowns can take up to three weeks. Additionally, CEREC crowns are only made of ceramic materials and traditional crowns can be made up of just about any dental material.
Individuals who are not sure which type of dental crown to choose can consult with a dentist to determine which option is best for them. In short, CEREC crowns are suitable for just about anyone, however, it largely comes down to the material type. Some patients are keen on metal or gold crowns due to their long-lasting durability. Ceramic crowns do last a long time, however, they typically need to be repaired or replaced within 10 to 15 years.
Ready for CEREC® crowns?
When looking to learn more about CEREC crowns, it can be helpful to consult directly with a dentist. An evaluation can be done in order to determine whether or not CEREC is an option for you. Additionally, questions and concerns can be addressed properly, which will also be used to identify the appropriate treatment process. Reach out today to find out more or to get started with a consultation appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.drdanbornstein.com or call Bornstein Family Dentistry at (707) 360-6353 for an appointment in our Santa Rosa office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: CEREC Dentist in Santa Rosa, CA.
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