How a CEREC Crown Can Restore a Broken Tooth

If a person has a broken tooth, this can lead to many problems, so a dental professional may recommend a CEREC® crown. Known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, this technology can be used to fabricate a variety of dental devices, such as veneers, implants, bridges, and dentures, as well as crowns, which are beneficial for larger teeth fractures. Unlike traditional crowns that require a couple of appointments at the dental office, this option takes only one visit to place.

Benefits of a CEREC® crown

A crown is often recommended for a chipped or broken tooth, as it covers and protects the tooth while blending in with the surrounding natural teeth. Because it is made out of ceramic, the crown is strong and durable, which means it can last a long time, possibly a lifetime with good oral hygiene habits. This computer-designed crown is also fabricated with a specific and accurate grinding process, which produces a crown that is perfectly modeled to fit the broken tooth.

One of the biggest benefits of a CEREC® crown is that it is made and placed during a same-day procedure. This is advantageous over other crowns, which often take two weeks or more to be made. Because the permanent crown is available on the same day, there is no need for a temporary crown. This is beneficial because caring for a temporary crown can be tricky, and having one increases the chances of certain dental issues.

CEREC® crown procedure

After a thorough oral exam, a dentist may recommend a crown to fix a broken tooth. Based on the patient's goals and budget, a CEREC® crown may be chosen. During a single visit, the crown is made and installed over the damaged tooth.

Digital pictures

One of the first things the dental professional does is take digital images. The patient opens the mouth wide, and the dentist places the camera in the mouth at different angles to get views of the damaged tooth from all sides.

Model creation and tooth fabrication

Based on the digital pictures, the dentist uses CAD/CAM technology to create a digital model for the CEREC® crown. The ceramic 3-D tooth is then constructed following this design. This fabrication is a quick process, usually taking around 15 minutes.

Crown placement

Once the crown is completed, the dentist cleans and polishes it so it matches the other teeth. The crown is then placed over the tooth and any adjustments for a good fit are made. The final step is to bond the crown to the tooth so it stays in place.