
Traditionally, the process of getting a dental crown takes place over the course of two weeks and two appointments to a dental office. Not only can this be hard to accommodate for some busier patients who can’t request that time off of work or carve out the time in their busy schedule, but it can also be a hassle. At Lifetime Dental of Gainesville, we use the latest technology, like our CEREC digital impression system and in-office milling machine, to craft completely customized, beautiful dental crowns in Gainesville in a single appointment. To learn more about this process, you can read below or reach out to our team to schedule a consultation.
CEREC dental crowns are all-porcelain, customized restorations that are made the same day of your appointment. After your teeth are cleaned and prepared, our team at Lifetime Dental of Gainesville will be able to place them within an hour or two of their creation. We use advanced CAD/CAM software and detailed digital impressions as a blueprint to make your crown to ensure a perfect fit.
Because our CEREC crowns are made from porcelain, they’re able to resist staining caused by foods and drinks, and they’re metal-free, making them safe on your teeth and gums.
After a thorough dental cleaning to make sure that your tooth is spotless and free of any plaque or tartar, we’ll prepare it by removing a small portion of the enamel. This will compensate for the thickness of the crown, allowing us to cement the crown on so that it lies flush with your surrounding teeth.
Once your tooth is prepared, Dr. Shue Her will capture a digital impression of it, which will create a 3D blueprint of your tooth that we can send off to our in-house milling machine using CAD/CAM software. After loading the mill with a solid block of porcelain, it will begin carving your customized crown. Usually, this takes about 30 minutes to complete.
After your crown is crafted, we’ll cement it onto your prepared tooth to provide it with lasting protection and strength, allowing you to use it like you normally would.
If you’d like to learn more about CEREC dental crowns in Gainesville or schedule an appointment to get one, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.
Although CEREC crowns aren't made of metals, they are durable. It's not unusual for them to last for a decade or longer with the correct care. However, many factors can affect the lifespan of your restoration, like which tooth it is protecting. Back teeth undergo more wear and tear than the front. Therefore, crowns used on molars may have a slightly shorter life expectancy than incisors. Your dentist in Gainesville will explain how to get the most from your investment, like brushing and flossing. It's best to limit hard or chewy foods. Schedule a cleaning and checkup every 6 months to ensure your crown lasts for years.
You don’t have to worry about a painful day in the dentist’s chair. Dr. Her will keep your comfort as his top priority. He may use a local numbing agent to block any pain while he prepares your tooth for your crown. At most, you may feel some vibrations or pressure. After the effects of any numbing medications wear off, your tooth may be tender for a few days. You can manage it with an OTC pain reliever and eat soft foods until it subsides.
Every situation differs, but your dental insurance may cover some of the expenses, like your consultation, diagnostic services, or preparatory procedures, such as root canal therapy. After meeting your annual deductible, your dental insurance may pay some of the expenses for your restoration. A member of our office will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your coverage. Dr. Her offers various financial solutions to keep CEREC crowns within your budget, like third-party financing. You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan.
Dental crowns aren’t porous, like enamel. Therefore, whitening treatments won’t change the color of your restoration, but they can lighten your teeth. As a result, your crown can stand out, causing it to look unnatural. The whitening ingredients can also weaken the material holding your crown in place. Dr. Her can create a personalized treatment plan to ensure seamless results when brightening your smile.
Since CEREC crowns are crafted and placed the same day, there’s no need for temporary crowns. In turn, there’s no need for dietary restrictions, like not chewing on that side of your mouth or sticking to soft foods for the first 24 hours. That said, it is important to avoid taffy, peanut brittle, and other snacks that could tug on your restoration or cause it to chip or crack.
You might assume that, since CEREC technology is so advanced, same-day dental crowns are expensive. However, there isn’t a need for multiple appointments or off-site dental labs, so the price often ends up being comparable. Plus, dental insurance providers often cover a portion of the cost, which helps keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum as well.
Unfortunately, your dental crown won’t last forever. At your biannual visits, we will examine the condition of yours and any other existing dental work so we can address any issues before an emergency visit is necessary. Between appointments, keep an eye out for unusual symptoms, like pain and instability. If these or any other warning signs of trouble arise, call us right away to schedule an exam.
Since dental crowns are artificial, they cannot develop cavities. Your underlying tooth and surrounding teeth certainly can, however. That’s why it’s so important to commit to good oral hygiene habits following your appointment as well – from brushing twice a day and flossing consistently to coming to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
There are a few reasons the answer is “yes.” The first is that every dental crown is custom-made, ensuring it doesn’t protrude unnaturally or feel bulky in any way. The second is that the materials used don’t just look natural; they feel natural too. So, with enough time, you won’t even remember which tooth has a crown and which one doesn’t!
Losing a dental crown doesn’t always require a same-day visit to our Gainesville dental office. That said, we still recommend calling us ASAP to share what happens so we can get an appointment on the calendar within the next day or two. Over the phone, we will also tell you what to do (i.e., rinse periodically with clean, room-temperature water, stick to soft foods, take OTC pain medication as directed) and what not to do (i.e., chew on that side of your mouth, eat sugary foods, smoke) to prevent the situation from getting worse in the meantime.