At Alta Dental Care in Upland, if you want a tooth restored, we do it right. While we offer a range of restoration options, CEREC dental crowns are a leading favorite at our Upland office. Even if your tooth is on the verge of being lost, a CEREC crown could bring it back to 100%.
What Are CEREC Dental Crowns?
Let’s start with CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. What that means when next to “dental crowns” is a type of dental restoration that stands above the competition. CEREC crowns are made from exceptionally strong ceramic using a computer-assisted approach. This tech-powered method not only can give you dental crowns in a day but also ensures a maximally natural look to your tooth.
What Makes CEREC Different from Traditional Crowns?
Traditional crowns typically require multiple visits, temporary crowns, and outside dental labs. CEREC crowns streamline the entire process. For you, that means same-day dental crowns are now an option. You walk in with a damaged tooth and leave with a fully restored one.
What’s a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, often called a “cap,” is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. Its purpose is to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance when a filling is not enough to repair it.
How Dental Crowns Work
A crown fits over your natural tooth structure much like a protective shell. After shaping the tooth, your dentist bonds the crown in place, creating a strong and durable restoration that functions just like a natural tooth.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns come in several materials, each offering unique benefits:
- Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: These are the most popular for front teeth because they mimic natural enamel beautifully. They’re ideal for patients wanting the most natural look.
- All-Metal Crowns (Gold or Alloy): Extremely durable and long-lasting, metal crowns are excellent for molars where aesthetics are less of a concern.
- Zirconia Crowns: Known for exceptional strength and natural aesthetics, zirconia crowns are increasingly popular for their durability and natural appearance.
Signs You May Need a Dental Crown
You may be a candidate for a dental crown if you experience:
- A cracked or fractured tooth. Cracks can worsen quickly. A crown prevents the damage from spreading and restores protection.
- A large cavity or old filling that’s failing. When too much tooth structure is missing, a filling may not be strong enough to withstand bite forces.
- Significant tooth wear. Grinding, acid erosion, or aging can wear teeth down. Crowns restore proper shape and function.
- Root canal treatment. After removing the infected pulp, the tooth becomes more fragile. A crown provides essential reinforcement.
- Misshapen or severely discolored teeth. Crowns improve the appearance of teeth that can’t be corrected with whitening or bonding.
- A missing tooth replaced with an implant. The crown sits on top of the implant, acting as your new artificial tooth.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns are known for their durability. With proper care, they can last 10–15 years, and in many cases even 20+ years. Their lifespan depends on several factors, including the material used, your oral habits, and your daily care routine.
Factors That Affect Crown Longevity:
- Material Type
- Oral Hygiene
- Bite Forces & Habits
- Placement
Why Choose CEREC Dental Crowns?
- Same-day convenience that saves time
- Digital impressions instead of sticky molds
- On-site, tech-assisted creation with millimeter-level precision
- High-quality ceramic that mimics natural enamel
- No need for temporary crowns in most cases
- Long-lasting, chip-resistant material
What to Expect During Treatment
Step 1: Comprehensive Exam
First, we need to go over your oral health. We perform a full exam and discuss your goals, putting together an appropriate treatment plan.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
This involves clearing away any decayed tooth material or softening damaged areas. We also shape the tooth so that it will fit well within the CEREC crown.
Step 3: Digital Impressions
When making CEREC crowns, precision is fundamental. We take 3D digital impressions of the tooth, using them as the basis for making the CEREC crown.
Step 4: CEREC Crown Creation
The creation of the CEREC crown itself takes about 1 hour. During this time, you can relax in the office or even have other treatments done. For example, maybe you need another filling. We can take care of that while your crown is made.
Step 5: Placement & Bonding
With your CEREC crown fresh from the machine, we can place it over the tooth. Before permanently affixing it, we double-check all of our measurements. Once we ensure a perfect fit, we attach the crown to your tooth. Congrats! Your smile has been restored just like that!
Are CEREC Dental Crowns Right for Me?
Best for Patient Who:
- Needs a fast, same-day crown restoration
- Has a cracked, weakened, or broken tooth
- Wants a natural-looking ceramic crown
- Prefers digital scans over traditional impressions
- Has limited time for multiple appointments
- Needs a durable option for molars or front teeth
You May Need an Alternative If:
- The tooth is too damaged and requires extraction
- You have an active infection that needs root canal therapy first
- You need a material other than ceramic (special circumstances)
- Your bite or jaw condition makes ceramic crowns unsuitable
Book Your Appointment
With CEREC dental crowns, you can rebuild your smile in a single day. Call our office to set up an appointment for same-day crowns in Upland at Alta Dental Care.
FAQs
How much do CEREC dental crowns cost?
CEREC crowns often cost somewhere around $2,000 per tooth. But cost can vary depending on:
- Insurance coverage
- Complexity of treatment
- Your dentist’s experience
- Preparatory treatment
Do CEREC crowns look natural?
Absolutely! The natural look of CEREC is one of its main advantages. We use high-quality ceramic blocks designed to mimic the color, shine, and translucency of real enamel. Once bonded, you likely won’t be able to distinguish the crown from your natural tooth.
Are same-day crowns as strong as lab-made crowns?
Yes! CEREC crowns are milled from a single block of ceramic, lending them outstanding durability and fracture resistance. In many cases, they perform just as well as traditional crowns.
Can CEREC crowns be used on any tooth?
In most cases, CEREC crowns work perfectly well for front and back teeth alike. Their ceramic material is strong enough for molars while also providing excellent cosmetic results. As long as there is enough tooth structure to support the crown, this option should work for you.
How do I care for a CEREC crown after treatment?
The short answer: just like your natural teeth. That means:
- Brush twice daily
- Floss daily
- Attend dental checkups every 6 months
- Avoid biting down on hard foods