Dental Lab Crowns/CEREC

Dental Lab Crowns

Gallagher Dentistry & Facial Pain Center offer lab crowns.  Lab crowns, also known as caps, are shaped like teeth to fit over the natural teeth.  Crowns (caps) help protect teeth that have been weakened by tooth decay or cracks.  Teeth that have been worn down, poorly shaped or discolored may also need crowns.

What happens during the first procedure for crowns at Gallagher Dentistry & Facial Pain Center?

The dentist reshapes the sides and top of the tooth to make room for the new crown to fit.  In cases when the patient has lost part of the tooth due to decay or injury, the dentist will use a special material to build-up the tooth surface.  After the tooth has been prepared for the crown, the dentist takes an impression.  The impression is then sent to the lab to make the patients crown.  Typically it takes two to three weeks.  The dentist will place a temporary crown until the permanent crown is complete.

During the final appointment, the dentist checks the fit of the permanent crown and administers local anesthetic.  Using special cement, the dentist adheres the permanent crown to the natural tooth.

When can normal activities resume after the procedure for crowns?

Patients, who receive temporary crowns, should avoid sticky and hard foods.  Chewing should be done on the opposite side of the mouth if possible.  When flossing the temporary crown, slide the floss from between the teeth rather than lifting it out of the teeth.

Is there any pain associated with the procedure for crowns?

Some patients may experience mild discomfort after the procedure.  The tooth may be sensitive to hot/cold.  If this happens the dentist may need to adjust the bite of the new crown.

CEREC

Gallagher Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is proud to offer the CEREC procedure to our patients. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics also known as CEramic REConstruction or some refer it as a “same day crown”. This system allows us to design and make our own crowns, inlays or onlays here in our office. This means the dentist will prepare the tooth and cement the permanent one all in the same appointment.  Without a CEREC machine a crown is done in two appointments with impressions/molds taken and sent to a lab to be made. This would mean the patient would have to wear a temporary crown for about two weeks and return to have the permanent restorations cemented.

The first step before any dental treatment is a thorough examination and the dentist will determine the appropriate treatment for each tooth.  If a tooth is in need of a crown the dentist can then determine if it is eligible for a CEREC or “same day crown.”

What to expect during this procedure

To make the procedure more comfortable the dentist may administer local anesthesia to the area. The tooth/teeth are then prepared by removing any old filling material or crown that may be present then all decay is removed. If excessive decay was removed, it may be necessary to rebuild the foundation of the tooth or what is known as a “build-up” this makes for a stronger base for the crown.  After the tooth is completely prepared the dentist will take the CEREC camera wand and take 3D images of your teeth. Once the crown is designed on the computer it is then sent to a milling unit in the office. The machine then sculpts the restoration from a block of porcelain.  After it is completed the dentist will check it for proper fit and then permanently cement the restoration. In our office we also have two types of porcelain one type that requires an extra step after the crown in made.  These crowns are fired and glazed in a special oven we have. The dentist will pre-determine if your tooth requires one type over the other.

After care

There is little to no down time needed for CEREC or “same day crowns” Since the crown will be permanently cemented that day you will be able to chew with it right away.  However, if you are still numb from the local anesthesia wait until you have full feeling back to eat.  We do not want you to chew/bite your lip while still numb. It is normal if you have slight tenderness around gums after the numbness wears off.  This is from the preparation of the tooth and is temporary. If any discomfort becomes painful please call the office.

Dental Lab Crown/CEREC Examples

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