I need to get a root canal on a tooth and my dentist told me that I could be a good candidate for a CEREC crown. He explained some at my visit, but since then, I have really wondered if they are too good to be true. I have had traditional crowns in the past. I am not sure if these crowns that can be made so quickly are a good quality or if they stay on well. Am I a good candidate just because my dentist thinks I’m gullible?
June, El Centro, CA
Dear June,
It is true that CEREC crowns can be shaped and placed at the same appointment, but don’t let that scare you away. For a traditional crown, the dentist would take an impression of your tooth. That impression is then sent on to a ceramist to create the crown to the dentist’s specification. If you have a good cosmetic dentist, those specifications would include coloration and opacity. It takes time to send it on, have it made, and to receive it back.
CEREC crowns cut out the middleman. The dentist uses computer programming to shape your tooth and to help decide on coloration. The crown is then cut by a machine in the office. It is placed just like a crown that took two weeks to get back.
Who are CEREC crowns good for?
CEREC crowns aren’t perfect for every patient, but they are great for some. They are convenient for people who work and it’s hard to get time off for several dentist appointments. CEREC crowns are a great fit when you have small children. It may not be cheap or easy to find a babysitter for several dental visits. Really, anyone that doesn’t want to be at the dentist’s office any more often than they need to be may appreciate CEREC crowns.
Those who struggle to go to the dentist at all may feel the greatest benefits of getting a crown in a day. Many people suffer from anxiety about dental visits. So it’s a blessing when they can get a lot of work down in one visit.
Your dentist must have thought that CEREC crowns might be a good fit for you, not because you are gullible or naive, but because often that service works well for patients. If you are still concerned, talk to your dentist before your next appointment. Then you can feel informed and in charge of your own oral health.
This post is sponsored by Dr. Cummiskey at Generations Dental Care in Enfield, CT.
