Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaExisting Patients Call (843) 342-6900
Request An AppointmentRead Reviews

Before Getting CEREC Crowns, Here’s What You Need to Know

Posted on by .

I’m having a hard time deciding between CEREC crowns and regular crowns. What are some important things to know? I have to make a decision in the next couple of days for a tooth which needs to be crowned.

Mark

Dear Mark,

Block of porcelain for a CEREC crown
CEREC Crowns are sometimes called Same-Day Crowns

It’s a shame your dentist didn’t go over this with you, but I am certainly happy to help. One of the jobs of a dentist is to educate their patients on the pros and cons of all their options. Don’t allow your dentist to skip out on that part of his job. It’s important for you and can save you heartache and money down the road.

You Shouldn’t Expect to Pay More (or less) for a CEREC Crown

Many patients assume because they only have to come in once, instead of for multiple visits, they should pay less than they would for a traditional crown.

That’s not exactly how it works out and for a good reason. The CEREC machine, while it does avoid multiple appointments and a temporary crown, is a very expensive piece of equipment. The machine itself costs around $100,000. Plus, there’s all the materials necessary for it to work properly. It’s a huge investment.

While you shouldn’t expect to pay less, you also should not be charged more. Yes, the dentist needs to make their money back on the machine, but they’re also saving money on lab fees. The machine itself mills the crown, saving the dentist from having to pay a lab to mill the crown according to his or her directions. That means the cost should be about the same whether you get CEREC crowns or traditional dental crowns.

Whitening Before CEREC Crowns

Once the crowns are created, the color is permanent. If you are currently content with the color of your teeth, then nothing needs to be done. However, if you are considering whitening your teeth, you’ll want to take care of that before getting your CEREC crown done.

It will save you money in the long run. This allows your crowns to be made the same shade as your teeth after the whitening is done and protects you from having to replace the crown after your teeth change color.

CEREC Crowns and Front Teeth

One thing you’ll have to be careful about is which teeth you use CEREC crowns on. As you can see from the image at the top of this post, these crowns are milled from a single block of porcelain.

These don’t look as natural on anterior (front) teeth, unless you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. Most dentists will just leave the crown as milled and feel if they’ve matched the color they’ve done enough.

However, our teeth aren’t one color. Parts of our teeth are more translucent than others. You need a dentist with the knowledge and skill to adjust the colors to look natural instead of flat, especially on front teeth.

Your best bet is to find an AACD accredited dentist. These have the knowledge to do what is necessary to make them look beautiful and natural on front teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can a CEREC Crown Match My Other Teeth?

Posted on by .

I need to leave town and I don’t have time for a temporary. I’m thinking about getting a CEREC crown, but I’ve been told they won’t match my other teeth. Is it really a choice between matching and convenience?

Corrie T. – Alabama

Corrie,

CEREC crowns can match your other teeth if you have a skilled enough cosmetic dentist. However, the best cosmetic dentists often don’t recommend them on your very front teeth. The reason for that is how they’re milled. CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain, which will not give as much variation in the color and translucency of a traditional crown which are milled from a variety of porcelain.

For any other teeth, they’re fine. But, again, it really depends on the skill of the dentist. Look for someone with significant cosmetic training. Whenever you’re getting a procedure done that requires aesthetics, it is well worth your time and money to find a dentist who’s invested time in that training. Ideally, you’ll want a dentist who has reached an accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

You’ll be much more satisfied with the appearance of your smile.

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

Why Does My Dentist Refuse To Provide Me a CEREC Crown?

Posted on by .

I wanted a CEREC crown for a front tooth. My sister says they’re the best, but my dentist refuses to do it. I know he does CEREC crowns, so why is he insisting on a traditional crown? Is it so I’ll have to have two appointments?

Caryn – Memphis

Caryn,

No. He’s not just trying to trick you into two appointments. He actually looking out for your best interest. CEREC crowns are great, but they’re milled out of a single block of porcelain. That means the color is pretty uniform. If you’ll look in the mirror at your teeth, you’ll notice your teeth are not uniform in color. They’re more translucent toward the bottom and seem to lose translucency as they move up.

What your dentist wants to do is give you the most beautiful, natural looking crown possible because it’s on a front tooth. That means he’ll have to design the crown using several shades, which means a traditional crown.

On any teeth other than front teeth CEREC crowns are fine. And, yes, the single appointment benefit is quite convenient to patients. Your dentist feels the beauty of the crown will be more important to you than just coming once instead of twice.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Why Won’t My Dentist Give Me CEREC Crowns?

Posted on by .

My dentist does CEREC crowns. He’s made them for my husband. Yet, when I wanted one for my front tooth, he refuses. He said he wants to do a traditional crown on my front tooth. Does he make more money like that or is there some other reason?

Angela – Baltimore

Angela,

Your dentist is actually refusing to do it for a really good reason. He wants to make sure you get the best, most attractive and natural looking smile possible. CEREC is a great way to get a crown, but most really good cosmetic dentists don’t like doing them on front teeth. The reason for that is the way they’re milled.

CEREC crowns are milled from a single block of porcelain. That doesn’t give the variation and subtleties of color that your dentist would get from using different blocks of porcelain.

He honestly has your best interests in mind. It’s your smile, of course. If you really want a CEREC crown, you’ll be able to find a dentist who will do it. Just know that it won’t look as beautiful as it could.

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

©2006-2024 Bonnie J. Rothwell, DMD, AAACD. • All Rights Reserved

Website Design and SEO by Infinity Dental Web

Privacy Policy