Tag Archives: CEREC Crowns on front teeth

dentist pushing a cerec crown

I need to a get a dental crown. I’ve always gotten the regular kind so I was expecting that again. Instead, my dentist wants me to get a CEREC crown by a machine. Before I commit, I want to make sure they’re okay. I’d rather have it made by a human, but if they’re okay I guess I’ll go ahead.

Paul

Dear Paul,

Block of porcelain for CEREC crowns

You are fine getting a CEREC crown, with one possible exception which we’ll talk about in a moment. Using the CEREC machine to mill the crown, you will get a great fit. It uses sophisticated software to make sure your crown is precisely cut.

Because they are all-porcelain, they will have the same translucency as your natural teeth. They will look beautiful if your dentist knows how to use the machine well.

Their biggest benefit, though, is you can get your dental crown in just one visit.

The one exception to this would be for front teeth. These are trickier. When your teeth are milled by a CEREC machine it uses a single block of porcelain.

Our natural teeth are not the same level of depth all the way down. Some parts are more opaque than others. Because of this you need a dentist with expertise in color theory and staining in order to mimic the different levels of color needed for front teeth.

Finding a Dentist to Do CEREC Crowns on Front Teeth

Only about 1-2% of dentists will know how to do this correctly. If your crown is needed on another tooth, you should be fine, but with a front tooth, I’d look for an AACD accredited dentist.

Dentists who’ve been accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry have done extensive training. In order to reach accreditation they have to pass oral and written exams as well as demonstrate their artistry .

Any dentist who has reached accreditation can give you a gorgeous crown, even on a front tooth.

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

3 Unexpected facts about CEREC crowns

If you’re considering same day crowns, that’s great. They’re useful and convenient. Here are three things your dentist may not have told you yet.

Block of porcelain for CEREC crowns

They are Not Billed Any Differently

When dentists bill your insurance, they use codes. The codes for crowns, whether you are using traditional crowns or same-day crowns, they’re billed by the material used, not the brand.

While your dentist spent a small fortune on the machine, he is making up on lab fees by having it milled right in the office. This means you shouldn’t have to pay more for a CEREC crown than a traditional crown.

Only the BEST Cosmetic Dentists Can Place Them on Front Teeth

Because they’re milled from a single block of porcelain, they don’t have all the subtleties your natural teeth have. A dentist has to be very versed in color theory and have exceptional skills.

If your dentist is recommending a CEREC crown on an anterior (front) tooth, you need to check their qualifications. Ask to see samples of CEREC work they’ve done on front teeth.

If it’s important to you to have the crown done on the same day, you’ll want to take the precaution of going to a dentist who has achieved accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are the top of their field.

They Don’t Whiten

Often patients decide they want their teeth whiter at a certain point. However, the color made on your dental crowns (CEREC or traditional) is meant to be permanent.

The whitening gel used even in professional teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure. It saves you money in the long run to whiten your teeth beforeĀ having your dental crown made. This way when the dentist does do it, you’ll have it match the color you’ll be proud of.

It’s not required, of course. You can whiten later. It just means you’ll have to have your crown re-made to match.

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

Which Dentists Do CEREC Crowns on Front Teeth?

I keep hearing no CEREC crowns on front teeth, but surely there have to be dentists who do it. Is there a way to go about finding those dentists?

May

Dear May,

Machine for CEREC Crowns
Can you get beautiful crowns from a CEREC machine?

Great question! You can certainly find a dentist who will give you a CEREC crown on your front teeth, but what you want is a dentist who can do it well. The first thing you need to look for is a top-notch cosmetic dentist. The best of the best are dentists who’ve reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are among the top 1% of dentists in the country.

If it’s milled by machine, why does the dentist need to be so artistic? Another great question. It’s specifically because they’re milled by machine. Until recently, CEREC machines would only mill from a single block of porcelain. There are new machines which can mill with gradients. But, many dentists just finished investing in the older CEREC machines and aren’t able to scrap it for the new one. They don’t come cheap.

That doesn’t mean they can’t create you a gorgeous crown. With expertise in color theory, they can create the gradient with the way they color the tooth. But again, only the best of the best can do that.

Consideration When Getting Crowns on Front Teeth

When you’re talking about the most visible part of your smile, you want it to be as beautiful as possible. Once the crown is created, the color on it cannot be changed. You not only want the tooth to look natural and beautiful, but to match the surrounding teeth as well.

So, if your teeth are in need of a little brightening, the time to do it is before your crown is created. Teeth whitening is a quick and easy way to give your smile a boost. If you want, you can even do it in just one appointment using in-office Zoom Whitening.

Once you have the color you’re pleased with, your dentist can match the CEREC crown to it exactly.

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

Can’t Get CEREC Crowns from My Dentist

I’m so sick of temporary crowns that fall off all the time. Every time I’ve gotten a crown it’s been a disaster from the get-go. I get a temporary and it falls off at every meal. It’s impossible to deal with. Now I find out I need another crown. I told my dentist I want a CEREC crown so I don’t have to deal with a temporary. He insists they’re not as good. I’m seriously considering switching dentists over this. What do you think?

Fanny,

Dear Fanny,
A tooth receiving a CEREC crown

I can understand your frustration. While temporary crowns do occasionally fall out (after all, they’re meant to be temporary) what you’ve experienced is way beyond normal. It says a bit about the skill of your dentist. I wouldn’t normally suggest switching dentists simply because you want a one-day crown, but it seems like your dentist lacks skill.

I’m not sure why he means they’re not as good. They’re just as strong as their traditional counterparts. The biggest difference and the only weakness I can see in comparison is CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain. Some dentists feel that for your very front teeth it would look better for you to have a traditionally made crown so the dentist can craft it from several blocks of porcelain giving it more natural variety.

Cerec Crowns and Teeth Whitening

One other thing to consider. Hopefully, your dentist told you that once crowns are milled, their color is permanent. If you want your teeth whitened, you should do it before getting this latest crown if it is in a visible part of your smile.

That way your dentist will match your crown to the new color. Of course, if any of your old crowns are visible, those will need to be re-done to match. If they’re on back teeth which don’t show while you smile, I wouldn’t bother changing them though.

Picking a New Dentist

If you do decide to switch dentists over this issue. May I suggest you consider every type of procedure you may want, even future. If it’s just a good general dentist you want, who keeps up with the latest technology, that won’t be too hard to find.

If, however, you have more cosmetic interests in your future you’ll want to find a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. If they keep up with the advances in cosmetic work, you can be almost positive they keep up with the general side as well. So, how do you find an expert cosmetic dentist in your area? I’d check the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s website. You’ll want to be certain to get a dentist who’s reached accreditation level.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Mike Malone.