Crowns

What is a crown?

Crowns, are restorations that cover and encase the tooth on which they are fitted. They may be necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured, chipped or heavily decayed teeth as they strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure. Crowns can also be used to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile. They are made of either all porcelain or porcelain with metal inside for additional strength with the shape and colour matched to your own teeth to ensure a natural looking smile. Traditionally, a crown fitting requires at least 2 visits to the surgery.

Initially your dentist:

• Removes any decay and shapes the tooth. Preparation time will depend on how damaged the tooth is and whether it needs to be built up with a filling .
• Makes an exact impression of the tooth and the surrounding teeth, using a soft mouldable material. A thin retraction cord may also be used to hold the gum away from the tooth so that the impression is accurate around the edges.
• Places a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth whilst the permanent one is being made. You will be able to clean your teeth and eat as normal during this time.

During your second visit your dentist:

• Removes the temporary crown and cleans the prepared tooth.
• Fits the permanent crown, adjusts for bite discrepancies, evaluates the aesthetics and once satisfied that these are correct, cements the crown into place.

However, you now have a choice - The Cerec 3D gives you your new smile in only 1 visit!

Your tooth preparation is carried out as with a traditional crown and the colour is matched to your surrounding teeth using a shade guide. A reflective powder is then applied to the tooth for scanning.

An image of your tooth from a 3D camera is sent to a milling machine accurate to 25 microns - more accurate than any laboratory. This is accomplished using Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture. The milling machine uses diamond coated instruments to reproduce the design of your new crown. After polishing, your new crown fits precisely. A curing light hardens the bonding material, cementing the crown into place.

CEREC 3D is the world's only system for the fabrication of all ceramic dental restorations in one surgery visit. With CEREC 3D you can be in and out in a single visit with a permanent, all ceramic crown, onlay, or veneer! For the patient this means fewer injections, less drilling, and less time out of your hectic schedule for dental care.

Thousands of people world-wide choose the CEREC 3D restorative technique for their dental needs.