Maybe you’ve seen the Netflix series called The Crown about the rise of Queen Elizabeth. In Florida, the closest thing we have to royalty was Ponce de Leon serving the Spanish king back in the day. The closest we get to a crown today is the dental variety.
At Implant Dentistry of Florida, we can make those crowns in a single visit with our CEREC system. And you don’t even need to have royal bloodlines to get one!
What is a crown?
When a tooth is seriously compromised — maybe it has a deep crack, maybe it has a huge filling that has compromised the tooth’s strength, maybe there is a ton of decay — a crown is the only way to save the tooth. Like a jeweled version, a crown sits atop the tooth. It covers the entire visible (above the gum line) portion of the tooth returning strength to the underlying weakened natural portion of the tooth. Beyond saving a tooth, crowns are used as anchors on each side of a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
At most dentists, getting a crown requires two visits and usually at least two weeks. That’s because most dentists prepare the tooth for a crown, but then must send the impressions to a dental lab for fabrication of the crown. Making the crown takes a week, usually two, and the patient wears a temporary crown in the meantime.
But at Implant Dentistry we use the CEREC system to fit crowns in a single visit!
What is CEREC?
CEREC is an acronym for a cool dental restoration fabrication system. It allows Drs. Brown and Vaughn to restore decayed teeth, replace defective amalgam fillings, create and place cosmetic veneers, and place crowns in a single visit.
CEREC stands for this:
- Chair side: All the technology is available right from your spot in the dental chair.
- Economical: The procedure is more economical than using a dental lab.
- Restorations: Your tooth is restored to its natural beauty, function, and strength.
- Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and the color of your natural teeth.
- Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that closely resemble the appearance and sheen of your natural teeth.
How we use CEREC?
In the case of a crown, we first remove any decayed or damaged material. Then we shave off a portion of the healthy outer tooth to make room for the crown. Next, instead of loading up a mouthful of impression goop, we coat your tooth with a tasteless, non-toxic powder. We then take a digital picture of your tooth and send this image and other data to the CEREC system right there in our offices.
The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a three-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. From that 3D image, Dr. Brown or Vaughn then design your crown in just a few minutes. That data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office that takes a ceramic block matching your natural tooth shade and shaves it down to create your crown. This process only takes from 10-20 minutes. Once the crown is finished, we check your new crown for fit, bite, and color match, making adjustments as needed. When we’re all satisfied, we cement the crown onto your tooth permanently, and you’re done. No second trip two weeks later required!
At Implant Dentistry, we’re committed to the latest dental technology such as CEREC. If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, call us at 321-259-9429.