If one of your teeth is damaged, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to address the condition.
A crown is a small tooth-shaped cap that fits over your tooth. It can hide a discolored or misshapen tooth or even a dental implant.
A crown can also protect or restore a broken, worn or damaged tooth. A crown can also hold a dental bridge in place.
You have options when it comes to choosing the type of crown to receive.
Crowns can be made from a variety of different materials, including:
- metal
- resin
- ceramic
- porcelain
- a combination of porcelain and metal often called metal fused porcelain
A popular choice is the CEREC crown, which is often made from a very strong ceramic and is designed, created and installed using computer-aided technology.
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Aesthetic Ceramics. You usually get one of these crowns as part of a same-day procedure that will get you in and out of the dentist’s chair in an afternoon.
Why choose a CEREC crown? Consider these advantages.
Same day process
Instead of waiting up to 2 weeks for your new crown, you can walk into a dentist’s office and walk out with your new CEREC crown the same day.
The dentist will use computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) to take digital images of your tooth and jaw, design a crown, and then create that crown for installation — all right there in the office .
Show the crown
Your friends may never know that your tooth has a crown. Because it has no metal core, a CEREC crown tends to look more natural and more closely resemble the surrounding teeth.
Power
As
This is good news, as the last thing you want to do is return to your dentist’s office to get your new crown fixed.
While there are many advantages to choosing the CEREC crown procedure, there are also some disadvantages. Perhaps the biggest drawbacks are cost and availability.
Not every dentist offers CEREC procedures and not all dentists have extensive procedures
In some cases, dental veneers are an acceptable alternative to crowns.
Unlike crowns, veneers are thin shells that only cover the front of the teeth, so they may not be suitable for teeth that are broken or damaged. They are usually made of porcelain or composite resin.
A dentist may also use the computer-aided design (CAD) tools that are part of the CEREC process to create ceramic veneers for your teeth.
You should be able to expect long lasting results such as
As with any dental procedure, your costs will vary.
The costs may vary based on:
- type of dental insurance you have
- procedures covered by your dental insurance
- your dentist’s experience level
- region of the country where you live
Some dental insurance plans may cover the cost of a crown, while others may only pay a portion of the cost. It may depend on whether your dental insurance plan deems the crown medically necessary or just for cosmetic purposes.
Some dentists charge in between $500 and $1,500 per tooth for a CEREC crown. If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost or your out-of-pocket costs are too high, talk to your dentist. You may qualify for a payment plan.
Of course, CEREC crowns are not your only option. You can get crowns made from a variety of other materials, including:
- zirconia
- porcelain
- ceramic
- metal, such as gold
- composite resin
- combination of materials
If you don’t go the CEREC route, however, you won’t be able to get your new crown in one visit. Crowns usually require this of you visit your dentist at least twice.
During the first visit, your dentist will prepare the tooth that needs a crown and take an impression to send to the dental laboratory.
You will receive a temporary crown. You will then return for a second visit to install your permanent crown.
If you’ve ever seen a 3-D printer at work, you can understand how this process will unfold:
- Open wide for the camera. Your dentist will take digital photos of the tooth that needs a crown.
- The model is created. Your dentist will use CAD/CAM technology to take these digital images and create a digital model of your tooth.
- The machine takes the model and creates, or takes care of, a 3D ceramic tooth. This process only takes approx 15 minutes.
- Your dentist polishes the new crown and fits it into place inside your mouth.
CEREC crowns may be a good option for you if you are looking for a durable, natural-looking crown and don’t want to wait a few weeks to get it.
Talk to a dentist about your options and discuss whether this method is available to you and fits your budget.
