For many years, dental crowns were also described as caps, and that makes a lot of sense. After all, a crown is a hollow ring of metal, which is not really how a dental crown appears or works. Instead, it is a durable and long-lasting restoration that fits over the tooth, just like a cap, and it is used for a variety of reasons. Michael Miyamoto, DDS and of Miyamoto Dental Design Suite Inc. in Wailuku, HI encourages patients to learn more about dental crowns and discover how they can benefit from the option for CEREC treatment too.
Why Do You Need Dental Crowns?
There are many reasons that our patients can benefit from the use of dental crowns? Though often a form of restorative dentistry, and considered an alternative to a filling, crowns are actually used for much more.
-
- To replace old amalgam (metal) or overly large fillings
- Typically as the final touch of a root canal
- For teeth with large amounts of decay
- For teeth damaged by trauma or decay
- As a cosmetic treatment
- As the final touch to a dental implant
This is why a restorative dentist or cosmetic dentist would suggest them, and in our dental office, patients have access to both kinds of dental experts!
How Is a Crown Done?
When you are getting a crown in our dentist office, you have two options. You can use a standard approach or you can request CEREC treatment. They both begin the same way. The tooth is treated and prepared for the application of the crown. It could be that you require a root canal, it might be that your tooth is decayed and needs one of our doctors to remove that decay, you may require an old filling to be removed, or a damaged tooth may need treatment. In all instances, the tooth is shaped and treated, and then a mold is made to ensure a properly fitted crown.
If you are using the traditional approach, a temporary crown is placed over the tooth and you will return when the lab sends the custom made restoration back to our office. If you opt for CEREC, we will use the special CAD technology and digital camera to scan the teach and create a flawless digital image of your mouth. The computer then takes all of the data and turns it into a three-dimensional model from which the in-office milling unit actually carves your ceramic restoration.
This is bonded to your prepared tooth, enabling you to get dental crowns in a single visit.
Contact Our Wailuku Dentist For Same Day Crowns
Clearly, CEREC is faster, amazingly accurate and allows one-day treatment. It restores the tooth fully in the shortest amount of time, and we highly recommend it. If you have additional questions about the benefits of cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, dental crowns, CEREC or any of the other treatments mentioned here, give us a call at our Wailuku, HI office at (808) 242-7007. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.