Are CEREC Porcelain Crowns a good choice for all patients?

CEREC, short for ceramic reconstruction, is an innovative method of using CAD/CAM technology to design and fabricate all porcelain restorations, at the dentist’s office. That means that the patient’s treatment can be completed in one visit, without the expense of a temporary crown and another day away from work, while the finished piece is made at an off site lab. 

That’s good news for most patients. However, Dr. Don Jones knows that each tooth, smile, patient, and lifestyle is unique. At Social Circle Dental, CEREC is not a cookie-cutter solution for all patients. Dr. Jones takes time to thoroughly analyze your situation. Then he applies training, skill, experience, and artistry to develop the best restoration plan to meet your needs. 

When is CEREC a good choice? 

A CEREC crown is called a direct restoration because it is made chairside, at Social Circle Dental. Three dimensional images and impressions provide information to a robust computer program. The computer designs a crown with precise fit and natural tooth shape. It sends that plan to a milling machine that carves the restoration from a solid block of porcelain. 

Porcelain is a tough ceramic material. CEREC all porcelain crowns are strong enough to withstand the bite pressure on back teeth. Porcelain mimics the light reflecting qualities of tooth enamel, so CEREC crowns blend nicely with your smile and resist stains, too. 

When is an indirect restoration more appropriate? 

An indirect restoration is a crown made at a professional dental laboratory. Dr. Jones may recommend this type of crown for a tooth that is readily visible when you speak or smile. Why? You probably think of your tooth color simply as white. In reality, though, each one of your teeth has subtle shading variations, which CEREC crowns cannot perfectly mimic. In this case Dr. Jones works closely with the lab to create a crown with the same translucency and exact coloration to be indistinguishable in your smile. 

CEREC is a wonderful solution when you need a strong, natural-looking crown in one visit, but it isn't right for every situation. Patients throughout Social Circle and surrounding areas trust Dr. Jones to explain their options and help them make informed dental healthcare decisions. 

Call 770-464-1900 to become Dr. Jones’ newest patient at Social Circle Dental.