I need a crown on one of my lateral incisors. My dentist has a CEREC machine and plans on using that. He knew I’d mentioned before that I wanted to improve my smile so thought we could do that at the same time using the CEREC machine to do some veneers as well. I’d heard of CEREC crowns, but not CEREC veneers. Is that a possibility?
Carson
Dear Carson,
While possible, it isn’t easy. CEREC crowns and veneers are milled from a single block of porcelain. On back teeth this is easy. On your very front teeth, it will take some expertise is color theory to know which stains to add where to make them look natural. The key to whether or not they will look natural is the dentist you use. I wouldn’t let anyone other than a dentist who is AACD accredited attempt this.
Your dentist shouldn’t mind you asking. If he says he isn’t but that he is qualified none the less, that is possible. There are some highly skilled cosmetic dentists who are on their way to accreditation. It takes quite a few years to obtain. However, I’d still want to know they have the requisite training.
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty and smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. It’s totally up to the dentist how much, if any, post-doctoral training they receive. If your dentist isn’t accredited, you can ask him where he received his cosmetic training.
No matter what dentist you go with, make sure they do a temporary try-in of your porcelain veneers and dental crown before they permanently bond them on. That way if you are not thrilled with the results, then it can go back to the lab until they are made to give you the gorgeous smile you deserve.
It is important to know that if they are permanently bonded on and you don’t like them, there is no recourse. The only standard is that they are functional. Beautiful isn’t a requirement. That is why you have to be careful who does your smile makeover.
This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.