A healthy smile is important for a number of reasons. We use our teeth to eat, to form words, and of course to smile. Because we only have one set of teeth, sometimes we have to perform some upkeep procedures to ensure our teeth stay in good shape. One of the more common procedures is the installation of a crown. A crown is a type of cap that goes over your tooth and there are a few reasons your dentist may recommend one. Here at Mogren Dental, we utilize a unique machine when it comes to making crowns called the CEREC. Usually when you need a crown it requires wearing a temporary crown for a period of time and multiple visits to the dentist. With the CEREC machine, we can complete the entire crown procedure in just one visit.
Why do I need a crown?
Large Filling: If you’ve had a filling that takes up more than ⅔ of your tooth, the remainder of your tooth will be weak and prone to cracks, so a crown is necessary to reinforce it. Sometimes, your dentist may replace an old filling with a crown if your tooth has fractured or broken from daily stress.
Root Canal: The root canal process takes a lot of material out of a tooth, so a crown adds the strength and support needed to make sure your tooth stays healthy.
Cracked teeth: Sometimes teeth can crack on the inside and become painful while chewing. A dentist will install a crown in order to alleviate this pain and to make sure that the tooth doesn’t crack more.
What are CEREC crowns?
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crowns are completely ceramic crowns that camouflage with your other teeth, giving your smile a more natural appearance, while providing you with a strong crown for your teeth.
How are CEREC crowns different?
When you come in for your appointment, the dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown and then take a three dimensional picture of the tooth with the CEREC machine. With the picture, the doctor can precisely design your crown and match its color to that of your teeth. The machine will then shape your new crown from a ceramic block. The CEREC crown is created completely from ceramics, leaving you with a natural looking crown rather than one with a visible black line. Since we have the machine in our office and the crown is completely computer generated, we can install your crown in just one sitting! No need for multiple appointments.
To schedule an appointment at Mogren Dental or to learn more about our CEREC crown procedure, call 231-737-5500 or request a dental appointment online!
