Hello,
I got a same-day CEREC crown about a year ago. Since then, it has fallen out several times. Fed up, I went to see a different dentist, who gave the crown a new setting. Despite the new dentist’s efforts, my crown still keeps falling out! He says he wants to redo it in porcelain because that would help my tooth stick to the cement better. Is my dentist right? What should I do?
Cynthia, from South Carolina
Hello Cynthia,
Same-day CEREC crowns will not fall out if they are properly prepped and bonded. CEREC crowns utilize modern technology to ensure a crown with the best fit to your mouth and gum shape, so it is unlikely the crown’s fault. CEREC crowns are made from ceramic, but the type of material is not the problem here — it is likely a combination of the bonding material’s strength and the shape of the prepared tooth.
The shape of the tooth is important; a tooth needs very little taper in order to stay bonded on; if it is prepared with a lot of taper, it will fall off no matter how strong the cement is. It is likely that your tooth was prepared with insufficient retention in mind. Once this problem is fixed, a good bond with strong cement will hold your tooth in place permanently.
Even though you have seen two dentists for this problem, you should seek out a different cosmetic dentist to reattach your crown. Check reviews from patients who have received crowns from this dentist, and you should find the solution to your dilemma.
This blog post is brought to you by Enfield same-day CEREC crown provider, Dr. William Cummiskey, of Generations Dental Care.