Who doesn’t want what they want now? One-day deliveries, instant messaging, order online and pick up in one hour, texting. The list goes on and on.
But did you know you can get a permanent, all-ceramic dental crown in one day? That’s right—one visit crowns!
Of course, this is only available with a dentist who has CEREC® in their office.
If a dentist does not have CEREC technology, you’ll have to wear a temporary crown for two or three weeks. (This is usually after having to go through the messy process of gummy impressions.) During the wait for the permanent restoration to be made in a lab, your temporary may come off at the most inopportune time, which means another trip to the dentist.
When your permanent crown arrives, you’ll have to go back to the dentist’s office, get numbed again, go through the fitting, and hope it fits perfectly. If it doesn’t? You’ll need another temporary, have to wait again, and then attend yet another dental visit. Hopefully, they get it right the second time.
But with CEREC, it’s different. It’s better!
At Lifetime Smiles, we take technology seriously. Our doctors spare no expense, so they can provide their patients convenience and comfort with the latest advanced technology. In fact, we have been restoring smiles with CEREC one-day crowns since 2008, so we are experienced with the process of creating gorgeous, one-visit crowns.
What is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.
We know that’s a mouthful, so let’s break it down.
Chairside
You don’t have to leave the dental office. At Lifetime Smiles, we will keep you comfortable while you wait the short time it takes to make your make and bake your new tooth. (Yes, we actually bake in our dental office!)
During the wait, you can watch one of the movies from our large selection, catch up on emails, listen to your favorite station with our headphones, or take a nap. We will even turn out the lights and bring you a nice, warm blanket while you sit in our heated massage chairs.
Economical
The cost for the CEREC crown is less than or equal to what you will find with lab-fabricated crowns.
Economics also comes into play with your time. You don’t have to leave work two different days, or more, if the crown the lab sends doesn’t fit the first time.
Restoration
Just like lab-fabricated crowns, a CEREC crown restores the function and appearance of your broken, weakened, or otherwise damaged tooth. The digital scan from the CEREC Primescan is the most accurate and precise on the market, and even better than traditional impressions.
Esthetic
A CEREC crown doesn’t just restore function—it adds beauty! We will customize the shade, shape, and size to blend with your natural teeth. Your one-day crown will look gorgeous and natural. CEREC is a great option for patients interested in enhancing their smile with cosmetic dentistry.
Ceramics
Your one-day crown will be made of ceramic, also called porcelain. CEREC crowns are milled from a CEREC Block, a material that was developed over 30 years. Your new crown can endure decades of chewing and smiling, if you maintain good oral health.
What can I expect on the day I get my CEREC crown?
When you arrive at our office, which feels more like a home than a dental office, expect a warm welcome. After a short time in our cozy reception area, another friendly team member will escort you to a state-of-the-art treatment room.
On the way, ask to see our CEREC machine. We love to show it off!
After we answer all your questions and you feel fully informed, we will numb your mouth with our computerized anesthesia delivery machine. With this awesome technology, most patients don’t feel any discomfort at all.
Next, we will prepare your tooth. Then, we take digital impressions, so you won’t have to endure foul-tasting, gummy dental impressions. The digital impression creates a 3D design on our CAD/CAM computer, to make perfect crown for you.
Next, your customized design will be sent to the milling unit in our office. This unit takes a block of porcelain and mills it to the specifications of the dentist’s design. This process takes approximately 15 minutes.
At this point, we will try the crown on your prepared tooth, making minor adjustments as needed. Once your new tooth fits perfectly, we bake it. Oven time is approximately 20 minutes. When it is ready, the dentist will permanently attach it.
How do I sign up for a CEREC crown?
Whether you need a dental crown for restoration or just want to cover a severely discolored or chipped tooth, all you need to do is give us a call.
One of our helpful team members would love the chance to answer your questions and schedule you for a consultation with Dr. McDonald or Dr. Mallakis.
So, if you are in the North County or Escondido area, call (760) 747-1811 today!
