Previously, dental appointments for a crown, veneer or dental implant required multiple visits to our office. These visits included: taking X-rays with higher radiation, goopy impressions, waiting for a laboratory to create a final restoration, and finally, an appointment for the permanent restoration.
Thanks to advancements in dental technology, beautiful dental crowns and even porcelain veneers can be completed in as little as one appointment at our office in Midtown Manhattan.
Dental Crowns And Veneers Services
A dental crown refers to a prosthesis that fits over the top of a tooth, covering down to the gum line. Dental crowns are milled precisely to match the original tooth’s shape and a similar color to that of adjacent teeth.
The damaged tooth needs to be prepared for crown placements. The preparations include shaving down the tooth enamel and on all sides to create room for crown placement. Once the crown is placed, you can normally use your tooth without worrying about getting damaged.
When Is A Dental Crown Needed?
The purpose of a crown is to restore a tooth’s function by making it strong. It might be time to get a crown if you have:
- Decayed Teeth
- Teeth with a large cavity for a filling
- Weakened teeth
- Stained teeth
- Fractured or broken teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Chipped teeth
Crowns can also be recommended if you’ve had a root canal or have a missing tooth and your cosmetics dentist want to insert a tooth implant or dental bridge. To determine if you qualify for single-visit crowns, seek consultation with a qualified cosmetics dentist like Dr. Beshar in Midtown Manhattan, New York.
What is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This system includes an intraoral camera, CAD/CAM software, and a milling machine. These three devices are used to create the perfect crown or veneer in a single visit to Dr. Beshar’s Midtown dental office, conveniently located near Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle.
Placement Procedure for CEREC Crowns
Most dentists offer two-day procedures for crown placement. The initial appointment usually involves preparing the tooth that needs a crown. Then they make an impression of the prepared tooth and sent it to a dental lab for the crown to be made.
The process of making the crown can take up to two weeks, so you’ll have to wear a temporary crown in the meantime. Once the crown is completed and delivered, you’ll return for a placement appointment so your dentist can fix the permanent crown to your tooth using special cement.
However, Dr. Beshar believes in providing a complete smile in a single visit, so you don’t have to put on a temporary veneer or crown or make multiple visits to your dentist’s office. Dr. Beshar and his team can diagnose, prepare your damaged tooth, design and mill the crown, and place it in a single visit.
The CEREC Process
Step 1: Digital Scan for 3D Models
The first step is to take a 3D scan of your teeth. What previously took multiple x-rays and higher radiation exposure to achieve can now be done with a non-invasive, intraoral camera. This revolutionary technology takes hundreds of pictures of your teeth. These images are transferred to a 3D modeling system, where Dr. Beshar constructs a virtual model of your mouth in a matter of minutes.
Step 2: Designing Your Crowns or Veneers
Dr. Beshar uses the software to create a perfect fit restoration with the model in the design process. Dr. Beshar will finish designing your crown or porcelain veneer, sending the final model to the milling machine to create a perfect fit crown or veneer.
Step 3: Crown is Sculpted
The milling unit of the CEREC system takes a block of ceramic and mills it into your restoration in as little as 10 minutes. Once finished, Dr. Beshar and his team will stain the restoration to match the shade of your teeth and polish it to a finite shine. Your crown or veneer will then be placed into your mouth and checked for comfort and bite. Since there is no longer a need for temporaries, you can leave our office with your final restoration in this single appointment.
All in One Visit: Benefits of CEREC
Few dentists use the CEREC system to produce both dental crowns and porcelain veneers. However, Dr. Beshar believes in providing a complete smile.
Applying a CEREC crown is non-invasive, requiring no sedative, and can help patients regain their ability to chew and speak with confidence as well. Both porcelain veneers and dental crowns can restore the shape of your tooth (or teeth), and thanks to CEREC, they are done in a single visit to our midtown dental office.
Affordability
You may be thinking that such a convenient technology like single-visit dentistry may be pricey, but that isn’t the case. There is very little price difference for conventional treatment.
Faster Treatment
Having your final restoration or cosmetic dental procedure the same day was unheard of before this advancement in dental technology. You no longer have to spend your valuable time traveling back and forth to our dental office for several appointments.
Durability
You can rest assured that CEREC crowns are constructed from highly durable ceramic composites, not inexpensive materials.
How Long Do Porcelain Crowns And Veneers Last?
Porcelain crowns and veneers can last for as long as 20 years. They are typically made using dental-grade porcelain, making them incredibly strong and durable against damage. Dental crowns and veneers are also resistant to staining.
The lifespan of your porcelain crown and veneer will mostly depend on the health of the underlying original tooth. Practicing proper home and personal hygiene, including brushing your teeth twice and flossing once a day for good oral health, should help you enjoy your dental veneers and crowns for the long haul.
Contact Dr. Beshar For CEREC Treatment Options
The CEREC system has revolutionized how crowns, veneers, and other ceramic dental fixtures are created. The convenience of fully completed dental treatments with a single appointment is now available to you at our Midtown Manhattan dental office.
Call us now to schedule your appointment or learn more about your CEREC treatment options.