CEREC Restoration
Palo Alto, CA
CEREC Same Day Crowns in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma , Dr. Lin , and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 If you have ever cracked a tooth or lost a filling, then you have most likely had a dental crown placed on your teeth. There are several material options for crowns available today including ceramic and gold alloy.
With the advancement of dental technology, even newer options can be used to cap the teeth and restore your smile after a tooth is broken or is cracked.
CEREC is a high-tech dental device that we use in our office to create a new crown in no time. Here at Palo Alto Oral Health, we can use this unique technology to make a new crown in just one day.
How Are CEREC Crowns Different?
With CEREC, the dental device allows us to speed up the process of dental crowns. You can be diagnosed with the need for a crown and have a new one in place, all in the same day. Our dental team is highly trained in this CEREC technology and can easily assist you with a new, customized crown in a short amount of time.
Instead of messy impressions as is the case with standard dental crowns, a tiny camera captures 3D images of your mouth and teeth. These precision images are sent to a computer which uses CAD/CAM technology to create a customized, permanent crown per patient.
These designs take all dental factors into account such as fissures, indentations, and ridges. Your final design is sent to our onsite milling machine which manufactures your ceramic crown within moments.
CEREC Machine
The dental device known as CEREC uses a technology called Computer Aided Design or Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to create the crown.
Digital mapping technology is used to chart the inside of your mouth. A computer image is taken of the tooth, creating a detailed image. With an accurate image, a new tooth can be created from a ceramic block in the office.
No longer are we applying temporary crowns and waiting weeks for a new crown to come in. With this technology, the speed of crown creation is increased at a higher rate, offering patients the best solution for their dental crown needs.
The Process of CEREC Crowns
Once it is determined that you need a crown, the process of using the CEREC technology begins.
With a standard dental crown, an impression of the teeth would need to be made, and then you would have a temporary crown put in place until the mold can be used to create a permanent crown.
With CEREC same day crowns, there is no need for an impression and a second visit.
After the oral exam is completed and digital x-rays are taken, it will be determined if a dental crown is needed. The tooth will need to be prepared, and a special camera used to take an image of your tooth.
The CEREC software will then use the image to create a virtual model of the tooth. The model is then used to create the crown needed to cover the tooth perfectly.
A high-quality ceramic material will be used to create a new crown. The process is unique and makes it much more enjoyable to have a crown put in place, without having to reschedule appointments. The crown will be placed on the tooth once finished, helping to restore your smile once again.
After the new crown is in place, you will need to continue to practice quality oral health care. Regular brushing and flossing must be completed, along with regular trips to the dentist for checkups.
The Pros and Cons of CEREC Crowns
The Benefits of CEREC Crowns
CEREC crowns look and feel like real teeth plus they do not contain metals, which some people might be sensitive or even allergic to.
Thanks to the highly accurate computer technology designed to measure and create these crowns, they offer greater precision and a more comfortable fit than their traditional counterparts.
In terms of appearance, these next-generation caps look like your natural teeth. We can even match up the shade of the crown to your other teeth for maximum discretion. From start to finish, we can have your CEREC crown created and bonded in a matter of hours.
Determining Factors
While CEREC crowns certainly offer plentiful benefits, they do have some drawbacks. The ceramic material is more prone to chipping or cracking.
Though this material is very strong, it is not as strong as metal. Traditional crowns do offer more corrective properties such as reinforcing a damaged or decayed tooth.
They are excellent preventative measures after a root canal to protect the dental pulp or when used to protect dental implants.
While the 3D camera does a superb job of analyzing teeth, it cannot see below the gum line. If a tooth has a fracture that extends past the gums a traditional crown will offer a better fit.
Our dentist will review the advantages and disadvantages of CEREC crowns with you to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment or if a traditional crown would be a better option.
If this is the case, we can certainly use this technology to create a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent one to arrive.
We Are Your CEREC Crown Experts-Call and Schedule Today!
Palo Alto Oral Health is proud to offer this technology as it saves time, offers an immediate solution, prevents injury, and offers greater comfort for our patients.
CEREC has immensely improved the procedure for being fitted with a dental crown and with proper care, these caps can last as long as traditional crowns.
If you would like more information about CEREC, call your CEREC dentist here at (650) 321-9693.
We are happy to answer your questions about this innovative dental technology. It can make a serious problem something you no longer need to worry about in no time. |
