Tag Archives: problems with CEREC crowns

CEREC Crown is Too Bulky

I had a dental crown break after three years. I needed to replace it but have been quite busy lately. Because of that, I went to a different dentist who advertised same day crowns using a CEREC machine. However, the tooth with the CEREC crown is way too bulky. It’s uncomfortable, doesn’t line up with my other teeth, and I find myself biting my tongue unintentionally because the crown is “in the way”. The dentist has tried filing it a couple of times, but it hasn’t really improved much. Where do I go from here?

Madeline

Dear Madeline,

porcelain block for CEREC crown
CEREC restoration

This must be so frustrating for you. Here you were trying to save time and it has ended up even more of a hassle. I have two concerns here, beginning with your original crown. It should not have broken after a few years. These are designed to protect the tooth underneath and keep them from breaking. As a result, they should last you many years. Your dentist should have recognized that and offered to replace it. Hopefully, it was a matter of flawed material, which can happen to the best of dentists, and not that he was incompetent in how he placed it.

As for the CEREC crown, it sounds to me like your dentist is new with this software. Usually, the dentist would take images of your tooth that needs to be crowned and the CEREC software would build-up an excellently fitted tooth from there. However, you didn’t have the original tooth because your need was to replace a damaged crown.

There are ways to build up a tooth from scratch that will fit perfectly using the software, but it seems to have been beyond the scope of your dentist’s knowledge.

This crown does need to be replaced. The issues you listed can lead to serous problems, including tumors on your gum where you keep biting it, gum disease from a crown iritating the area, and even TMJ Disorder from your bit getting thrown off.

Have your dentist replace this crown at his or her expense. However, I don’t think they are going to be able to get the results you want with her understanding of the software. I think you are going to have to go the “traditional” route and have this porcelain crown made in a dental laboratory.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Persistent Pain with CEREC crown

I got a CEREC crown on a molar. I’ve had horrible pain ever since, whenever I bite down on anything. My dentist blames it on the way I chew. He said I have a cow chewing effect and that is the cause.  I’m wondering how that is possible if it didn’t hurt before.

Mika B. – Denver, CO

Mika,

I’m with you. I see no reason why you would suddenly start chewing like a cow. My suspicion is your dentist is just not quite up to snuff on this procedure.

CEREC crowns are milled by a computer, so they’re usually easier to place. That being said, there are two things that can go wrong.

  1. It is placed too high. If that happens, whenever you bite down, that tooth is higher than the others. That would cause sensitivity whenever you bite down.
  2. A second possibility is that the underlying tooth is infected. It’s possible something was missed.

Because I’m not sure your dentist is handling this well, I would get a second opinion from an endodontist.

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

CEREC crowns caused a tooth infection

I got a CEREC crown and now, a few months later, I have a massive tooth infection on the tooth under the crown. I feel like the crown caused the infection. Have you noticed this to be common with CEREC crowns?

Alonso G. – New Mexico

Alonso,

No, that isn’t an issue with your crown. It is more likely a dentist issue. There are a few possibilities going on. With the first, your dentist didn’t remove all of the infection to begin with. It’s possible he thought the infecion was dealt with, but there was some left. If the  infection isn’t dug out of there, it will continue to spread.

Another option is your tooth developed new decay. That can happen a couple of ways.  There is a learning curve with CEREC crowns. Some dentists are more skilled than others. It’s possible your dentist left some gaps in the margins or there were some other issues  with his bonding that left your tooth vulnerable to decay.

It’s also possible that you’ve had a harder time with your oral hygiene. It isn’t easy getting crowns all the way clean and flossing is more of a challenge than it used to be.

You’ll need to have your dentist look at this right away and make sure he gets all the infection. When completed, you might want to make sure there are no gaps anywhere, in case the problem is your dentist.

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

Mismatched crown

I moved to a new city. As a result, I’ve obtained a new dentist. He has this machine that enables crowns to be made the same day.  That part was great. Unfortunately, that is the extent of the positives. I’ve had crowns done before. This is my fourth.  All the previous ones match my existing teeth. This new one, however, is a mismatch. It is pretty obvious too. Is this the necessary cost of convenience or did something go wrong.

Benjamin A. – Maryland

Benjamin,

No, that is not a necessary price for the convenience of a same day crown.  The type of crown you received are CEREC crowns. You’re right that they’re very convenient. It’s great not needing a temporary crown, or needing to come back for a second appointment to get your permanent crown.

This problem you’re experiencing is the result of what dentist you currently have, not the type of crown he gave you.  It is the dentists responsibility to match a crown to the existing teeth.  You can see if your dentist would be willing to re-do it to make it match your current smile. However, you may have to try for a refund and go to a more artistic dentist to get the results you are hoping to get.

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