Category Archives: CEREC

CEREC

Crown keeps falling off

I got a CEREC crown, but it keeps falling off–like four times. What do I do?

Yvette – New Mexico

Yvette,

What you need to do first is get a new dentist. There is no reason for a CEREC crown to keep falling off if it is properly bonded on.  Most dentists go there entire careers without having even a crown fall off once, much less four times.

CEREC crowns are generally easier than traditional crowns, because they’re computer milled.

I know it sounds like I’m being harsh, but there really isn’t a reason for these to come off.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

CEREC crown keeps falling out

I needed a dental crown. My dentist told me about a new kind of crown he’s doing called a CEREC crown. I liked the idea of not needing a temporary crown and agreed. The problem I’ve been having though is it keeps falling out.  Is this because it is a CEREC crown instead of a regular one? My dentist has put it back in three times.

Barry B. – Conway, AR

Barry,

No, the problem isn’t the CEREC crown. In fact, because they are milled by a computer, they are generally more accurate in their shape than a traditional dental crown.

To be honest, if the bonding procedure is done correctly, there is absolutely no reason for the crown to fall off. It sounds like the problem is really with your dentist.

One suggestion would be if the crown falls off again, see if you can get a different dentist to bond it on for you. Explain that your dentist has done it several times.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

Ugly CEREC Crown

I travel a lot for work and even when I am home, I’m still on the go. Because of this, I’ve been holding off on having a crown done. Not only is it near impossible for me to get to the dentist for two separate visits, but I’m really concerned that something will happen to my temporary while I’m away from home. I’ve been hearing a lot about these CEREC same day crowns and I like the concept, but a friend of mine had one done and the color doesn’t look quite right. Is this one of the expected trade-offs when having a CEREC crown done?

Thanks,

Sam

 

Dear Sam,

A cheesy grin is great, but not so much when it looks cheesy because the teeth are mismatched between shades of yellow and white like co-jack cheese. Unfortunately, your friend’s cheesy grin faux pas could have been avoided, but luckily, you don’t have to suffer the same fate in the name of convenience.

CEREC crowns are fantastic when it comes to streamlining the process, but like traditional crowns, some dentists don’t do a good job of matching the shade. There are options available for a dentist to make the restoration match the surrounding teeth- it’s just a matter of finding a dentist who has the cosmetic and artistic ability to do the matching.

Start by selecting a dentist who does CEREC crowns and ask the staff ahead of time how he selects shades. Often, but not always, the level of competence in the staff is very telling. You can also ask to see before and after photos of patients the dentist has treated. Many dentists like to have a “brag book” on hand or a smile gallery online to show off their finest cosmetic work. You can also speak directly with the dentist beforehand and ask him how he selects shades.

As any reputable cosmetic dentist knows, the most important deciding factor when it comes to esthetics is patient satisfaction. As such, he will always let you examine your restoration before it is cemented and will be certain to make sure you’re happy with it before you leave.

If you want to avoid an unpleasantly cheesy grin, ask a few questions in advance and you’ll be sure to have your same-day-crown be a same-day-beautiful-work-of-art too.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

Crown won’t stay on

My husband got a crown, but it has come off three times.  Our dentist cements it on again, but it then it comes back off a couple of days later.  Is it because we got him a CEREC crown that this is happening?  My dentist said there is nothing else they can do for him.

Jennine- Boston

Jennine,

If a dental crown is bonded on correctly, they don’t fall off. It doesn’t matter what kind of crown it is.  The fact that it is a CEREC crown, makes it less likely that the crown will fall off, because a computer mills those, making them more accurately structured.

The problem likely lies with the shape of the tooth preparation. If the preparation is too tapered, it’s hard to keep the crown on. I guess it is also possible that he is using the wrong kind of bonding agent, but either way his work is grossly incompetent. Get to a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist.

 

CEREC

Pain with a CEREC crown

I had four CEREC crowns put on back teeth. One of them is causing horrible pain when I bite. I’ve been back to my dentist a couple of times.  He shaved it, but it didn’t get any better. He thinks it is because of the way I chew.  Wouldn’t that have been causing pain before I had the crown put in? Isn’t it more likely that it is because I got a CEREC crown instead of a regular one?

Dennis L. – Maine

Dennis,

I don’t think it is because of your bite or because of the CEREC crown. In fact, because CEREC crowns are milled by a computer, there is less chance of the crown being a problem.  When you have pain when biting a crown, there are generally one or two reasons that is the cause:

1. The bite can be too high. I don’t suspect this is your case because you’ve already been back twice. Surely your dentist would have noticed that. I’m sure he’s adjusted your bite.

2. The other reason is an infection. Your dentist can do an x-ray and it will tell you if that is the case.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

 

CEREC

Pain with CEREC crown

I had a CEREC crown put on and am having persistent pain. I’ve been back two times for my dentist to adjust and do a little shaving of it, but it is still hurting quite a bit. I’m afraid to eat food that I have to chew for fear of irritating the nerve. My dentist thinks it might be the way I chew. I don’t think so, becuase I didn’t have this problem beforehand.

Jackson R.- Los Angelos

Jackson,

Generally when there is persistent pain after a crown it is because of one of two reasons. Either the crown is too high or there is an infection. I don’t think it is the bite placement for two reasons. One, you’ve already been back and had it adjusted twice. And second, with CEREC crowns the bite placement is designed by the computer that mills the crown, which makes it easier to place. The next step is to check for an infection with an x-ray. These can sometimes be tricky to find.

If you’re a little suspect of your dentist’s diagnostic skills, you may get an endodontist to look at it. The intensity of your pain along with the amount of time that has passed makes me wonder if that is the real problem.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, Louisiana dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

CEREC

TMJ and Neuromuscular Dentistry

I’ve got quite a story to tell. I hope that maybe other people can avoid making some the of mistakes I made, and save themselves a lot of pain and A LOT of money.

I have a long standing teeth grinding habit that caused me to have porcelain crowns placed on all of my teeth about 10 years ago. At the time, I went with the dentist who quoted me the best price, and I’ve paid for it ever since. The crowns were not placed like they should have been, and they have worn down over time. I also have a lot of pain when I chew, and have been told I have a “posterior crossbite”. I’ve been struggling with gum disease off and on for years because of the placement of the crowns, and they are just plain ugly.

I’ve determined that my biggest mistake was in not choosing the right professional to help me the first time around. Because of the pain in my jaw and the complexity of my case, I have consulted with a neuromuscular dentist who also has a lot of experience in cosmetic dentistry. I asked for his credentials in both, and he directed me to his website where I read about the extensive coursework he has had in treating TMJ, and saw pictures of his cosmetic work in his Smile Gallery. His prices are a little higher than those of the general dentists I have talked to, but looking at those pictures and reading about his education and awards really made me realize that he is worth every penny and then some.

We are currently working on addressing the TMJ issues that are likely at the cause of all my issues, and he has given me a phased treatment plan that I can afford. We’ll eventually replace the old crowns with new porcelain crowns, and if his Smile Gallery photos are anything to go by, my new smile is going to be stunning.

I just wanted to share my story, so that other people don’t make the same mistake I did and then pay for it for years to come. Don’t price shop for a dentist!

Lucy in Chicago

Dear Lucy,

We hear stories like yours every day, and it really speaks for itself. We hope to hear soon that your smile has joined all the others in your dentist’s smile gallery!

Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Malone’s office sponsored this blog post.

For more information about CEREC crowns, which are dental crowns that can be done in a fraction of the time of standard porcelain crowns, see our website.