Same-Day Dental Crowns: Advanced Restorations in Lansing, Michigan
A tooth that has been structurally damaged by decay or trauma sometimes needs to be crowned or “capped” so that it can look good and function properly again. A crown is a durable covering that is custom-made to fit over the entire tooth from the gum line up. Traditionally, crown fabrication took place in a dental laboratory over several weeks. But today, Schaefer Dental Group, your trusted dentist in Lansing, Michigan, offers a much more convenient alternative: same-day crowns made right in our dental office.
Advanced dental technology known as Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing, or CAD/CAM, makes it possible to fabricate laboratory-grade crowns and other dental restorations in minutes. This is an amazing innovation when you consider that traditional crowns take two or three visits and just as many weeks of waiting. Now you can have a fully restored tooth without the wait.
Best of all, studies have shown that CAD/CAM tooth restorations are just as successful as crowns made with traditional materials and techniques. And the amazingly lifelike appearance of a same-day crown means that no one will know your tooth has been restored.
How Same-Day Crown Technology Works at Schaefer Dental Group
The process of crowning a tooth starts out the same way, whether it’s a same-day crown or a traditional crown: with “preparation” of the tooth. This involves removing any decay that’s present, and shaping the tooth so that it will fit perfectly inside the crown. But the similarities end there.
With a traditional crown, the next step involves taking a putty-like impression (mold) of your teeth. With a same-day crown, the procedure is digital:
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Digital Scanning: Your teeth are given a light dusting of reflective powder, and then a small scanning wand attached to a computer is used to take digital pictures inside your mouth. In seconds, the computer generates a highly accurate 3D model of your teeth.
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Computer-Aided Design (CAD): With the help of the CAD/CAM software, your crown will be designed while you wait. The software can even be used to create a mirror-image twin of the same tooth on the other side of your mouth for the most natural-looking result possible.
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Milling (CAM): A block of dental ceramic material is chosen to match the shade of your own teeth. The computer’s digital design is transmitted to a milling machine that carves the crown from the ceramic block in about five minutes.
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Bonding: Once the crown’s fit has been verified, and any necessary aesthetic enhancements (like staining and glazing) have been made, the crown is permanently bonded to your tooth. Instead of wearing a temporary restoration for several weeks, you walk out with the real thing.
Caring for Your Same-Day Crown
Crowned teeth require the same conscientious care as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth — restored and natural — every day to reduce the build-up of dental plaque. When you have crowns, it is even more important to maintain your regular schedule of professional cleanings at the dental office in Lansing.
You should also avoid using your teeth as tools (to open packages, for example). If you have a grinding habit, wearing a nightguard is highly recommended to protect your teeth and your investment. A well-cared-for same-day crown from Schaefer Dental Group will last for years to come.