Tag Archives: Cerec Crown

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.

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Are CEREC crowns a good option?

I travel a lot, and time to get any kind of appointment taken care of is in short supply. I recently had an emergency root canal done on an infected tooth (one of my first premolars) while I was on the road, and the dentist said I would probably need a porcelain crown. I am home at most for a day during the business week, and my dentist does not work weekends at all.

I called their office to see what we could work out, and they said that they have new equipment that lets them place crowns in just a single visit, called CEREC crowns. They said this would probably work for me, but they want to examine me before making the appointment to place the crown. That is OK, as I don’t want them to race into anything and try to place something they shouldn’t just to get it done.

My concern is that I have been reading about CEREC crowns on the Internet, and some of the sites are talking about them not looking as realistic as the other kinds of porcelain crowns. I am in sales, and my appearance is critical. I can’t have an obviously sub-standard repair on a tooth making me look cut-rate. My customers are upscale professionals in an appearance oriented industry. All I really want to know is if CEREC crowns can be made to look as realistic as any other kind of porcelain crowns.

William in Charlotte, NC

Dear William,

It is reassuring to hear that your dentist will not race ahead with the crown appointment before taking a good look at your situation. CEREC crown placement does not work for everyone.

The first premolar is visible when you smile, so you are correct in stating that a sub-standard job at matching your other teeth would be noticeable. Your question as to whether or not a CEREC crown could be made to look realistic earns a qualified answer: it depends on the skill level of the dentist using the equipment.

You state that the dentist’s office “just” got the equipment, which may indicate that your dentist is not yet very experienced with obtaining optimal results. Ask about your dentist’s training and credentials, and pay particular attention to his or her professional affiliations. Membership or better yet accreditation with the American Association of Cosmetic Dentists  (AACD) is a very promising sign that your dentist places a high value on aesthetics. It is also a good idea to ask to see some before and after pictures of actual crowns that your dentist has placed. If he cannot produce any, this could mean that he simply lacks experience with the equipment, and you might be better off with a traditional porcelain crown.

You don’t say that the affected tooth has started to darken, so you have time to make decisions. Best of luck.

This blog post provided as a courtesy of the office of Lafayette Lousiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

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