Victorville, CA
Taking care of your mouth is essential for optimal oral health. It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once daily. Along with taking care of your mouth at home, it is also important to maintain regular, twice yearly, dental visits for cleanings and exams. A good oral hygiene routine helps to prevent oral health issues. However, despite your best efforts, it is still possible for issues to arise. A tooth may suffer damage, such as chips or cracks, that weaken its strength. Damage can also lead to painful infections. Crowns are a popular treatment for damaged teeth, but they can take up to two weeks to fabricate. At Kelly Smile Dentistry, we have eliminated that wait with CEREC Same Day Crowns.
What Is a Crown?
A crown is a dental restoration designed to restore, and protect a damaged tooth. It is essentially a cap that covers the entire visible surface of the affected tooth. It provides strength to the weakened tooth, preventing further damage from occurring. It protects the tooth from bacteria, as well as infection. There are several different types of crowns, including metal, porcelain fused to metal, and ceramic. Each type of crown has their benefits and drawbacks. Ceramic is often the preferred material, as it is fairly strong, and it perfectly matches the color of your natural teeth. This helps to provide a natural, seamless, beautiful smile.
The Traditional Crown Procedure
The traditional crown procedure takes two visits to complete. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared. After a local anesthetic is administered. A portion of the enamel is removed from the surface of the affected tooth, which creates sufficient space for the crown to fit in amongst the rest of your teeth. After the tooth is prepared, impressions are taken. The impressions are sent to a lab, where the crown is designed and created. Because it can take up to two weeks, you are provided with a temporary crown in the meantime. Once the crown is ready, you return for a second visit, and the crown is placed.
The CEREC Difference
CERAC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics, eliminates this two-week wait. With CAD/CAM technology, we take digital impressions of your mouth, which show up right on our computer monitor. From the computer, we use specialized software to design your custom crown. The information is then sent to a milling machine, where your crown is created.
CEREC crowns are made from ceramic. Along with providing a completely natural appearance, ceramic provides a great solution to those with metal allergies. It is also biocompatible, and will not irritate your gums.
Because your CEREC crowns are created right in our office, you get your crown as soon as it is finished. There is no need for a temporary crown, and you do not have to come back for a second visit. This helps to save you valuable time in your already busy schedule.
Waiting up to two weeks, or longer, is not only exasperating, but it can also increase your risk of developing an infection or other issues. With CEREC same day crowns, we can provide you with your permanent restoration shortly after the preparation of the damaged tooth. Call Kelly Smile Dentistry at 760-242-2338 for more information today.