Many people have had or will need a dental crown placed over a tooth at some point in their lives. By duplicating your tooth, Dr. Van Wicklen can help restore damaged or unhealthy tooth structure without having to extract it or work on it extensively. In the past, placing a dental crown required at least two visits; one to prepare and measure the tooth, and another to place the dental crown after it’s delivered from a trusted dental lab. With CEREC technology, Dr. Van Wicklen can reduce your treatment by digitally designing and crafting your porcelain dental crown during a single visit.
Defining a Dental Crown
A dental crown, or cap, is a dental restoration that mimics the top part of your tooth, also called a crown. The porcelain cap is hollow in the center and fits snugly over a tooth, which is prepared beforehand by sculpting a minimal amount of its enamel and dentin (the tooth’s outer tissues). Once bonded in place, a dental crown can hold a cracked or fractured tooth together while absorbing the impacts of biting and chewing. If your tooth is infected and requires a dental filling or root canal treatment, then Dr. Van Wicklen can cap it with a dental crown afterwards to improve the tooth’s structural integrity.
What Does CEREC Mean?
CEREC, an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, uses innovative CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) to digitally measure the dimensions of your mouth and tooth. The digital procedure offers unmatched precision to ensure a comfortable, snug fit that blends in almost seamlessly with your smile. The images can show you how your CEREC crown will improve your smile, and the final measurements are sent to an onsite milling machine that crafts your crown from a solid block of porcelain. Without waiting on a dental lab to craft your restoration and send it back to our office, you can receive your dental crown in a single office visit.
About Your Austin Dentist:
Since 1985, Dr. Steven Van Wicklen has been providing expert cosmetic and restorative dentistry services to patients and families in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your next dental consultation, call our office today at (512) 448-3131.