Lakefront Family Dentistry Blog

WHEN ARE DENTAL CROWNS USED?

Is a CEREC Crown My Best Option?

As we age, occlusal forces and poor oral hygiene can wreak havoc on our teeth. During this time, it would be best to take better care of our teeth by cutting food into smaller bits, avoiding brittle food as much as possible, including more calcium into our diet and having our dentition checked regularly.

What Are Dental Crowns?

In cases wherein the damage is done and it cannot be fixed with smaller restorations like veneers or composite bonding, a dentist will opt for crowns. Otherwise known as caps, they help preserve both form and function of teeth that are cracked, those that have undergone excessive decay and dentition that has undergone root canal therapy.

Crowns should be aesthetically pleasing, especially when anterior teeth are involved. They must also be able to resist regular stresses caused by mastication. The choice of material will depend on the amount of damage and the dentist’s preferences.

Dr. Hauser uses only the best, durable and long-lasting material available in dentistry today. This means all his patients’ teeth last for 10-20 years or longer with proper care. Trust a cosmetic dentist who uses advanced dental technology like CEREC at Lakefront Family Dentistry.

CEREC Before and After Crowns

Types of Dental Crown Materials

There are three common options that most dentists prefer. Here is a brief description of each.

Gold

Gold is the least popular, based on aesthetic reasons, unless you enjoy the extra sparkle. Gold crowns are still used to this day for patients who have strong bites or those who suffer from Bruxism (grinding and clenching). This is considered a traditional restorative material, as it has been around since the early years of dentistry.

This material is durable, as it is not made of pure gold. However, gold crowns would be best for posterior teeth due to aesthetic reasons.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal

PFM crowns are acceptable because they are sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. However, many dentists decide against it, as the metal will show through when gums begin to recede.

This type of restoration may not be the best for teeth that have excessive decay, as more tooth structure has to be removed to make room for this type of crown. This can cause the remaining structure to weaken even more.

CEREC

Dr. Hauser has all the latest CEREC equipment and laboratory right inside his practice. Patients’ teeth are made while they wait!  No more sending out impressions and waiting weeks for a veneer or crown to be made. You can even watch your new teeth being made while you wait, and the material lasts much longer than the old-style teeth made over the years.

This is a relatively new restoration that is created while you wait. The restoration is created by means of CAD/CAM technology, so a patient can have his or her permanent crown in less than 20 minutes. Most dentists prefer the CEREC crown over other options as temporary restorations are not needed.

Study show that a CEREC crown can last for more than 20 years, despite the fact that no metal is used. It is the perfect choice for dental crowns because it is a conservative restoration that does not require excessive tooth preparation. It is the material of choice in cases where there is not enough space for other restorations as it is relatively thinner.

Dr. Hauser is a dentist who specializes in CEREC restorations. He prefers this material over other options as they are safer and can hold their own, even when used to cover posterior teeth. If you are in need of dental crowns, please call (951) 244-9495 for more information or to schedule a consultation.