If you receive a dental crown or fixed bridge via a traditional procedure, you may have to wait weeks before your restoration is in place. With CEREC one day crown in Lebanon, however, you may receive your restoration in just a single appointment with your dentist. While a shorter treatment time is certainly appealing, many patients still have questions about CEREC crowns. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the key differences between CEREC and traditional crowns where things like materials, aesthetics, and durability are concerned.
Materials
A CEREC crown is always made of high-quality dental ceramic (which is sometimes referred to as porcelain). The ceramic bears a close resemblance to natural tooth enamel and can be shade-matched to the surrounding dentition. A traditional crown, on the other hand, might be constructed of gold, silver, porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or another material. Each material that is used for traditional crowns has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Aesthetics
When a dentist in Lebanon is designing a CEREC crown, they take great care to ensure that the restoration’s shape and shade will complement the patient’s natural oral and facial structures. As a result, CEREC crowns often blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. A traditional ceramic crown can also be quite beautiful and offer almost flawless aesthetics. However, traditional crowns made of metals clash with the color of the teeth around them and offer no cosmetic advantages.
Durability
CEREC crowns are quite durable due to ceramic’s inherent strength. However, a CEREC crown may not be ideal for a molar or premolar because those teeth endure the most pressure on a daily basis. A traditional crown made of metal or reinforced ceramic may be better able to stand up to the stresses that everyday life places on the teeth at the back of the mouth.
The Treatment Process
Obviously, one of the key differences in the treatment processes for CEREC and traditional crowns is the time it takes to create them. There are also a few additional differences:
- No temporary crown is required with the CEREC process. Many patients find that temporary crowns are uncomfortable and unreliable.
- Some dentists still use traditional impressions to create traditional crowns, a process that can be lengthy and uncomfortable. Conversely, CEREC relies on digital scans to capture accurate images of teeth.
Price
The cost of any dental crown, whether traditional or CEREC, depends on numerous factors, including a dentist’s own pricing structure. In most cases, insurance covers either type of crown. When you are comparing your treatment options, the team at your dentist’s office will help you understand the costs involved in each.
Do you need a dental crown? Depending on your circumstances and personal preferences, either a CEREC or a traditional crown may work for you.
About the Author
Dr. Angela Santavicca is an experienced dentist in Lebanon who is always interested in utilizing advanced technology to benefit her patients. She and our team offer a number of restorative procedures, including both traditional and CEREC crowns. To learn more about these procedures, contact our office today at 603-643-4142.