I have a tooth that cracked. My dentist wants me to get a CEREC crown placed on it. I have had crowns in the past, but only the old-fashioned ones. The thing which worries me is I tend to grind my teeth. Will a CEREC crown hold up to grinding the way my teeth and other crowns do?

Peggy T.

Dear Peggy,

CEREC crowns are very convenient, but they’re not miracle workers. I’m concerned that your dentist may have given you the wrong impression. No crown can hold up to teeth grinding. In fact, neither will your natural teeth. I wouldn’t be surprised if your grinding is why your tooth cracked to begin with.

Your dentist should be protecting you from the grinding. You will wear down your teeth completely. It’s even possible you’ll end up with TMJ Disorder. Worse yet, it can cause you to lose teeth. Then, you’ll not be looking for the best dental crown, but the best tooth replacement option.

Getting a Beautiful Smile with CEREC Crowns

This doesn’t mean you can’t get a CEREC crown. What you’ll need to do is make sure your dentist fits you for a mouthguard to protect your teeth from any further damage. In fact, you can have a gorgeous smile with a CEREC crown.

Plan out your goals for your smile. Do you want a complete smile makeover or do you like your natural teeth and just want them to look their best? If you’re pleased with your teeth, and just want them to look their best, then you may just want to get your teeth whitened. This will provide you a beautiful smile. Many patients find their confidence soars after something as simple as a whitening procedure.

If there are other things you’re not too keen on and wish you could change about your smile, porcelain veneers can drastically change anything you’d like. They can completely change the size and color of your teeth, as well as reshape the teeth, remarkably altering its character. This is the procedure celebrities turn to when they want a gorgeous smile.

One word of warning though. The skill and artistry of the dentist matters if you truly want a gorgeous smile. It’s recommended you get a dentist who’s accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.