How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?

Considering getting a CEREC crown for your misshapen teeth but unsure about the CEREC crown process? Read on to know more about what CEREC or same-day crowns, are, how they compare to traditional dental crowns, how long they last, and more…

What Is a CEREC Crown?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (now there’s a tongue twister!) CEREC is a snazzy high-tech dental device that uses CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology to create your new crown out of a single block of ceramic in a matter of minutes! Step into Natural Smiles, get your diagnosis, and walk out with a CEREC crown, all on the same day!

CEREC Crowns vs Traditional Crowns: Process

Traditional dental crown fittings can be quite cumbersome. Here’s how it’s done. Our dental specialists at Natural Smiles will conduct an oral examination and take digital X-rays of your teeth to ascertain if you need a crown numb your tooth and file down its edges so that the crown will fit well. They might also use a filling material to support the dental crown (if there isn’t much of your tooth left!)

Next,

• You bite into gooey alginate to get an impression of your teeth
• We will send your teeth impression to an external lab
• The lab will take around 2 weeks to create your crown
• You will have to wear a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready
• You then head back to our office for your final crown fitting

But with a CEREC crown, you can be in and out of our office in a couple of hours! After the oral examination and teeth prepping,

• Our team will use an intraoral camera to quickly take a digital impression of your teeth
• The CEREC software uses these images to design a virtual 3D model of your tooth
• Our team will then use this model to design the tooth restoration on the screen and this is sent to the in-office milling machine
• The milling machine will then create your crown from a single piece of high-grade ceramic in a matter of minutes (anywhere between 4 to 20 minutes!)
• After a few finishing touches (polishing and shade matching), we will cement your spanking new crown onto your tooth
• Step out of our office with a brand new smile!

CEREC Crowns vs Traditional Crowns: Pros and Cons

Advantages of CEREC crowns

• No goopy putty. If you’ve ever had a traditional crown, you know what it feels like to have putty in your mouth. (Yep, highly gag-inducing!)
• No temporary crown. No more worries about your temporary crown falling out when you’re munching on your favourite snack!
• No waiting for your final crown. Just one trip to Natural Smiles, you can be in and out in 2 hours!
• Only one tooth-numbing injection
• Sturdy and abrasion-resistant. Since CEREC crowns are made of one solid block of ceramic (instead of pressed ceramic and metal), they can handle a fair bit of chewing. So yes, if you love to eat, then CEREC crowns are for you!
• As close to natural teeth as it gets. The colour of CEREC ceramic closely resembles the colour of your teeth, making it hardly noticeable
• Aesthetic in appearance. As CEREC crowns lack a metal core, they reflect light well and blend in with the rest of your teeth
• Allow for a better bite
• Low post-operative sensitivity
• Stain-resistant and immune to decay
• Are ideal for front teeth, back teeth, and molars

Disadvantages of CEREC crowns

• Not recommended for some types of broken teeth. CEREC scanners can’t scan teeth that are fractured below the gumline. In such cases, you would have to opt for a traditional crown
• Slightly less durable compared to metal crowns
• Are more expensive than metal crowns. Cerec Crowns prices may range from £450 to £750
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Traditional Dental Crowns: The Good

• Recommended for people who have tremendously strong or misaligned bites. Gold or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are stronger and less prone to wear and tear
• Can sometimes be less expensive

Traditional Dental crowns: The Bad

Apart from being a messy and time-consuming process, traditional crowns:

• Rank low on aesthetics. Unless you’re someone who likes to flaunt gold or silver teeth, of course!
• Get more prominent with time. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns initially resemble your teeth, but with time, the dark line of the metal will become more conspicuous

But, Are CEREC Crowns Worth It?

When it comes to traditional dental crowns, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Let’s talk about impression-taking for a minute. Getting a perfect teeth impression depends on everything from the type and quality of the impression material to how well it is mixed to the type of impression tray and even to the amount of saliva in your mouth!

A faulty impression means bite inaccuracy, an ill-fitting crown, and time-consuming readjustments. Now let’s look at CEREC crowns. CEREC technology can scan your teeth within one-tenth of a millimetre. This means you get an exceptionally accurate crown in one go! And if you need multiple dental crowns, you really can’t have errors, can you? Now comes the BIG question…

How long do CEREC crowns last?

Same-day crowns can last 10 to 15 years, on average. With excellent care, CEREC crowns can even last 20 to 30 years! According to a study done in 2008, the survival rate of CEREC restorations was 94.7% after 5 years.

How To Take care of your teeth after getting a CEREC crown?

Your teeth could be quite sensitive for a few days after you get a CEREC crown. Stay away from sticky and hard-to-chew foods. We also recommend using sensitive toothpaste and even a fluoride mouthwash for a while.

Expert Tips To Make Your CEREC Crowns Last Longer

• Select an experienced CEREC dentist. (Pssst, we’re right here!)
• Keep those sugary and stain-causing food and drinks to a minimum
• Brush TWICE a day for at least 2 minutes. Use a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Don’t forget to floss at least once a day
• Use an interdental brush to remove that hard-to-reach plaque, especially in the area where your gum meets the tooth and your crown
• Go easy on the alcohol and cigarettes (quit, if you can)
• No chewing on hard objects like ice (and definitely no pens or pencils!)
• Wear a nightguard if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding & clenching)
• Your teeth aren’t bottle openers or utility knives! Treat them with care
• Avid rugby player? Don’t forget your mouthguard!
• Visit your dentist twice a year for your routine dental exam and oral hygiene appointment

Last Words

Even though CEREC technology has been around since 1985, there aren’t too many dentists who are skilled in this field. At Natural Smiles, you can rest assured that your teeth are in expert hands. Visit us or book a free consultation today!