Same Day Crowns with CEREC

So you are enjoying your favorite meal and all of the sudden you hear a crunch and there is something else in your food that you hadn’t planned on being there. Now, your tongue notices something is missing from your tooth and you begin to panic! You are wondering, “Should I finish my lunch? Is it going to hurt? What do I do next?” First thing you should do is call us at Living Well Dental Group to have the tooth evaluated. We will always strive to see an emergency patient as soon as possible. Until you can be seen for your appointment, try to keep the area clean with water rinses and continued brushing and flossing.

Try to avoid your tongue from inspecting the area as it may be sharp and cause it to become sore. Also avoid things that are either really hot or really cold as that could cause pain.

Once you have arrived at Living Well Dental Group, we will discuss with you how the incident occurred to make sure no other areas might have been damaged. Next, we will visually inspect the area for any other fractured areas. Then, we will take an x-ray to evaluate for any damage to the nerve and surrounding bone. Once these have all been evaluated a plan can be made. Small lost fillings may just be replaced with a new filling. If the size of the fracture is bigger a crown may be necessary. Most people don’t understand what a crown is or how it is made. The good news is whether it needs a filling or a crown we can do it the same day!

A crown or a “cap” covers the entire biting surface of the tooth. After deciding that the crown is the best long term option for your tooth we can complete it in as little as 90 minutes. We will make sure that you are comfortable while listening to whatever music or t.v. show you would prefer on our HD flat screen monitors. Then we will anesthetize the tooth to make sure that you are properly numb so that you do not feel any discomfort. We will then prepare the tooth for the crown by removing any remaining filling material and any cracked or broken areas of the tooth. The amount of tooth structure removed is only enough to allow for proper thickness for the crown. You may have heard that “when you get a crown it will take more than one appointment, impressions will be taken with a bad tasting material, and that you have to wear a temporary”.

Now, here is the exciting part! Here at Living Well Dental Group, we always use the best and latest technology for a patient friendly dental experience. We utilize a digital intra-oral scanning process that allows us to capture a digital impression of your teeth.

Once the teeth have been scanned we will now have a virtual model of you in the computer. We can then design the crown virtually. Once the design process has been completed the design is sent wirelessly to the in- office milling chamber. We will select the shade that best matches your existing teeth. In about 10-15 minutes the milling chamber will complete the fabrication or your new crown. You can watch the process or continue to relax in the comfortable chair. Once the milling is complete, the crown will be tried in place to verify the fit. Next, it will be taken to our in-office lab area where any custom staining and glazing can be added in order to achieve a highly esthetic natural looking crown. The crown will then be baked in a high heat oven to lock in the glaze and to add strength to the crown. Finally, we will bond the crown into place. You will be able to eat and drink right after we finish!

By doing the same day in-office crown, we now eliminate all of the things that have given the visit to the dentist for a crown a bad name. So now that you know the process for a same-day crown here at Living Well Dental Group you will be ready the next time you find a surprise bite in your next meal.

Call us today to schedule your consultation: (630) 505-1516