Crown Queries: 4 Common Questions About CEREC Crowns

CEREC dental crowns have gotten popular over the years, but they’re still fairly new to dentistry. It’s common for patients to not know much about them or their treatment process. With that said, what are you to do if you have questions about CEREC crowns? There’s no need to worry; your Alexandria dentist has you covered. To address your major concerns, read over the four CEREC crown questions (and their answers) listed below.

What Does CEREC Stand For?

You likely want to know what CEREC stands for. The acronym doesn’t show up much outside of dentistry, so a lot of people can’t make heads or tails of it.

CEREC stands for “chairside economical restoration of esthetic restorations.” While a mouthful, this phrase basically refers to ceramic dental crowns made chairside in a dental office. Dentists create these caps with a combination of advanced computer software and machinery. By using such “CAD/CAM” technology, dental practices can finish crown treatment quickly based on digital impressions.

How are CEREC Crowns Made?

Now that you know about their acronym, your next question may be about how CEREC crowns are made. What goes into these unique caps for your teeth?

A dentist makes (and customizes) a CEREC crown in just one dental visit. For the first step, they take digital impressions of your smile and transmit them to a CEREC machine. They then operate this device to produce a crown based on the transmitted images, ensuring you get great results. The creation process takes only a few hours, so the dentist can place the final cap at the end of your appointment.

Is CEREC Technology Safe?

Fancy tools can seem unreliable at times, so it’s easy to wonder whether CEREC technology is safe. You wouldn’t want treatment to compromise your smile.

Thankfully, CEREC technology is quite safe for you and your grin. It relies on software and machinery that have been thoroughly vetted, so you can trust it to mill your cap without issues. Plus, it makes each crown with biocompatible materials; your final cap won’t be toxic to you.

How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?

Aside from convenience, a CEREC crown’s lifespan is another point to consider. You likely want to know how long your final treatment results will last.

Though made with advanced technology, CEREC crowns generally last as long as regular ones. That means they have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, beyond which they often need replacement. However, these caps can last longer when given the proper care; some have been known to work for up to 20 years or more.

If you have other questions about CEREC crowns, don’t hesitate to ask your local dentist. They’ll gladly share the relevant details with you.

About the Practice

Martinez Dentistry is based in Alexandria, IN. Led by Drs. Martinez and Hardman, our practice makes patient-focused dental care its top priority. We always tailor our treatments to your smile’s needs, whether you’re getting preventive, cosmetic, or restorative work. The result is that our team can make nearly any grin healthy and gorgeous! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (765)-724-7729.