Advanced tooth decay, bad breaks or severely-worn enamel can leave you in need of dental crowns in Westminster, but there are two options to choose from for completing the process – chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics (CEREC) and lab-made crowns. Which route is most beneficial? An expert weighs in with the answer!
How the CEREC Method Works
Many patients are attracted to the CEREC crown replacement process because it offers the advantage of completing the procedure in just one dental visit. It relies on two main components – computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided milling (CAM), the combination of the two allowing the dentist to design and fabricate the final fixture in-office.
Unfortunately, a faster process doesn’t always correlate with the highest quality.
The Traditional Crown Placement Procedure
The dental crown placement process usually takes two-to-three visits to complete. The following outlines the typical process:
- At the first visit, any work needed to restore the health of the tooth will be completed.
- Next, bite impressions are taken that are sent to an in-network lab that will use them to fabricate the new crown.
- At the final visit, the crown is placed, shaped and shaded, if needed, to provide an aesthetically-pleasing and functional smile.
Why the Traditional Route is Better
A traditional crown placement, which can usually take up to two weeks to complete, involves a greater level of craftmanship, which spells a high-quality fixture. The special attention given to the fabrication process also aids in producing a restoration that fits better into your smile line and leaves you with a natural-looking appearance.
A final advantage of the traditional method is that the material used is of the highest quality. Thus, with proper care, your new crown can last for more than 15 years.
A Necessity to be Proactive
What is most important is that you receive the dental care you need so that your teeth can be properly restored. Your timing is vital as well, because the longer you wait to receive care, the less salvageable material you may have left.
So to be fully restored, reach out to schedule a consultation today. Although the lab-made crown requires more time to be created, the quality restoration provided by your dentist in Westminster will be well-worth the slight wait.
About the Author
Dr. Terry Batliner attended dental school at the University of Iowa and the Royal Dental College of Denmark. A former faculty member of Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, he is considered to be an authority in the dental field. Dr. Batliner restores patients’ teeth with traditional crowns at Sage Dental, and he can be reached for more information through his website.