A dental crown is one of the most common and practical restorative dental procedures dentists perform, used for a variety of purposes. Crowns, also referred to as caps — are prosthetic oral devices that are permanently attached or bonded to a tooth (or dental implant) and used to restore the shape and size of a tooth. With this restoration, the tooth’s strength and appearance is enhanced along with your confidence and dental health. Read on to better understand what crowns are and how they can help keep your smile bright and healthy.

When Are Crowns Needed

Typically, your dentist will prescribe a crown if any of the following conditions are present: 

• A restoration is needed after a root canal
• Large cavities are present that need to be filled
• A bridge is required but you have missing teeth 
• Cracked or worn teeth are present
• Restoration is needed due to badly shaped or discolored teeth 
• Your dentist needs to cover and complete a dental implant

Same-Day Crowns with CEREC Technology

In the past, when a patient needed a crown placed, it was necessary to have multiple appointments to manufacture a crown in a lab that would fit your mouth and needs. 

Today, dentists have access to powerful, in-office tools that allow for crowns to be placed the same day as your restorative work that calls for them. 

CEREC (short for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) dentistry is a method of Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dentistry that gives Dr. Porter the ability to produce a ceramic restoration right in his office using 3D technology and printing.

Instead of delaying a dental visit for a dental crown because of time constraints, you can now get your dental work done in one appointment. 

CEREC Same-Day Crowns – A Better Alternative 

New technology in the dentistry field is always exciting and CEREC is just that, exciting! This technology makes the delivery of tooth restorations and crowns more accurate and more convenient. With CEREC same-day crowns you will receive benefits such as:

• Same-day appointment. Other processes for crown restorations can involve days and weeks of work and several hours of your time to get your crown. Same-day crowns save you the hassle and inconvenience of multiple appointments (especially if you have to get work off to come in).
• Durable. Ceramic crowns are hard like real teeth, allowing them to take on your normal chewing and wear over time without becoming damaged or weak.
• No temporary crowns. No more waiting days or weeks with a weak temporary crown in your mouth.
• Looks like a real tooth. Our ceramic crowns have similar durability/strength to real teeth.  Customization allows them to blend in with your other teeth.
• Digital impressions. With our CAD technology, we can take accurate, easy digital impressions of your teeth without the gooey impression molds. You can keep your mouth clean and you’ll feel more comfortable with the digital-imaging process.

Take Care of Your Dental Crown

Like most things in life, the better care you take of them the longer they will last. The same is true for dental crowns. By practicing good oral hygiene, you keep your teeth and crowns in good shape. Remember to do the following for the best results from your dental crowns: 

• While the crown itself will not decay, decay can creep in below the crown if you aren’t diligent with daily brushing and flossing. Strive for a two-minute brushing session, morning and night. Brush where the crown meets the gum line to help keep decay out.
• Floss at least once a day to help get bacteria away from teeth and gums that your toothbrush struggles to extract. 
• Use a daily mouthwash.
• Schedule an in-office cleaning and exam every six months to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. This appointment also gives our dental team a chance to check on your dental crown.

Call for a Dental Crown Consultation

Dental crown restorations are designed to restore your smile to optimum health, function, and decay, and at our practice, Dr. Shane S. Porter can complete your restoration treatment in just one day! With CEREC same-day dental crowns in Eagle, Idaho, you can receive your customized, natural-looking restoration in just one visit. Contact us today at (208) 546-0655 to learn more, and to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to caring for your smile!