Damaged or missing teeth can impact your dental health and confidence. At Advanced Dental Associates in San Antonio, we offer dental crowns as a restorative treatment to fix these issues.
Made from ceramic or porcelain, our crowns repair teeth that are stained, chipped, cracked, worn, or weak, and can also be used with dental implants to replace lost teeth.
Visit our San Antonio dentists for an exam and treatment today.
What is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain crown is a fake tooth made from high-quality porcelain. It gets put over a natural tooth or dental implant to fix its shape and function. Porcelain crowns are strong and keep your tooth safe from more damage.
They also make sure your bite stays healthy after the dentist fixes a broken or decayed tooth after a root canal.
Our office uses CEREC technology to create same-day dental crowns. Most of the time, getting a crown is something you can do in just a day.
What is a Same-day Dental Crown?
Sometimes called “in-house crowns” or “CEREC crowns”, same-day dental crowns are a type of restorative dental treatment that can be designed, created, and placed in a single appointment.
They are made using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, which eliminates the need for multiple visits and a temporary crown.
The process of getting a same-day crown typically takes a few hours from start to finish. The crown itself is milled from a block of ceramic material in about 15-30 minutes.
What is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It’s a cutting-edge dental technology that allows dentists to create custom, high-quality ceramic restorations, like crowns, in a single office visit.
How It Works
CEREC technology integrates several key components:
- Digital Scanner: A special camera is used to take detailed 3D digital impressions of the tooth, eliminating the need for traditional, messy molds.
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD): The digital impressions are used to design the crown on a computer. The software allows the dentist to customize the crown’s shape, size, and color to perfectly match the patient’s existing teeth.
- Milling Unit: Once the design is finalized, the information is sent to an in-office milling machine. This machine carves the crown out of a solid block of ceramic in a matter of minutes.
Will I feel pain during the porcelain crown procedure?
This process streamlines the entire procedure, saving time and providing a more comfortable experience for the patient.
It’s natural to feel a bit uneasy before a dental procedure, but getting a porcelain crown shouldn’t be a source of stress. The process itself is completely pain-free thanks to the use of a local anesthetic, which fully numbs your tooth and the surrounding area before we begin. This ensures you remain comfortable during every step of the preparation and placement.
Once the anesthesia wears off, you may notice some mild tenderness or sensitivity around the treated tooth. This is a normal part of the healing process and usually subsides quickly. Any discomfort can typically be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication. However, if you experience ongoing or increasing pain, we encourage you to reach out to our office promptly.
What Can I Expect During My Appointment?
CEREC technology has changed the way we make and place dental crowns. Now we can do it all in just one visit instead of having you come back many times and wait for a dental lab.
Step 1: Initial Evaluation
The process begins with a visit to our dentists for an exam. We will examine your mouth to see if a crown is the right choice for your issue. They can restore damaged, decayed, or weakened teeth. They are also the next step after getting a root canal.
We may take X-rays to check the condition of the tooth and the surrounding bone. If the tooth has severe decay or damage, we might suggest additional treatments.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
The next step is to prepare your tooth. Our dentist will remove any damaged or decayed portions of the tooth and reshape it to make room for the crown. The goal is to make sure that it will fit snugly and look normal so it doesn’t stand out. During this step, we will use local anesthesia to numb the area and make sure you’re comfortable.
Step 3: Digital Impressions
Our dentist will use a CEREC scanner to take digital impressions of your tooth. The scanner captures detailed 3D images of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These digital impressions are fast, precise, and more comfortable for patients. It’s much better than traditional impressions involving messy molds.
Step 4: Designing the Crown
Next, we transfer the digital impressions to a computer, where the dentist will design your new custom crown. The CEREC software allows the dentist to create a crown that fits perfectly and matches your natural tooth’s size, shape, and color. This design process happens chairside, so you can see how your new crown will look before we place it.
Step 5: Milling the Crown
Once the design is complete, our milling machine will start building the final restoration. The CEREC milling machine uses a block of ceramic material to carve out your crown. This step typically takes about 15-30 minutes. The ceramic will match the color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless appearance.
Step 6: Fitting and Placement
When the crown is ready, the dentist checks its fit and how it looks on you. If we need to make adjustments, we will make them immediately. Once everything is perfect, the dentist bonds it to your prepared tooth using a strong dental adhesive. We will polish the crown and make sure it blends with your surrounding teeth, and check if your bite is comfortable.
The Many Uses of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most important tools a dentist has. They treat various restorative and cosmetic issues.
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Cosmetic fixes: Crowns can be used to cover stubborn discoloration from medication or trauma that professional whitening can’t fix. They also correct deformed or misshapen teeth, improving both the appearance and function of your smile.
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Strengthening natural teeth: After a root canal, a crown can provide extra strength and protection for the tooth. They are also used to support the anchor teeth for a dental bridge, shifting pressure away from the natural tooth structure and preventing wear and tear.
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Treating tooth decay and damage: When a tooth has extensive decay or a large cavity, a crown can replace the missing tooth structure and protect the remaining tooth from further damage. They also cover and protect cracked or broken teeth, which can prevent pain, infection, and injury to your tongue or cheeks.
Dental Crown Benefits
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Durable and Long-Lasting: Crowns are made to withstand daily wear and tear. They are resistant to cracking, chipping, and discoloration, and with proper care, they can last for 10-15 years or even longer.
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Natural Look and Custom Fit: Each crown is custom-designed to match the exact size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring it blends in seamlessly with your smile.
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Improved Comfort and Function: Crowns create a smooth, comfortable surface that improves your bite and makes it easier to chew and speak.
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Boosted Confidence: By restoring the look and function of a damaged tooth, crowns can significantly improve your smile and boost your self-esteem.
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Prevention of Future Issues: A crown acts as a safeguard, protecting the tooth from further damage and preventing issues like shifting or misalignment of surrounding teeth.
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Efficient Treatment: With modern technology like CEREC, many dental crowns can be designed and placed in a single visit, saving you time and the hassle of multiple appointments.
A Long-Term Investment in Oral Health
Dental crowns offer a strong and lasting solution that supports your oral health for years. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your crown can remain in excellent condition.
We also offer dental veneers, teeth whitening, and other cosmetic treatments! Ask about these during your visit. Call us at (726) 222-3385 or schedule your consultation online today!