Time is precious! At Cochecho Dental, Dr. Jennifer McConathy and Dr. Emilia Vajda can create a custom, natural tooth colored crown for you in just one appointment using Cerec® (Ceramic Reconstruction) CAD/CAM technology. No need to worry about a temporary tooth for 2-3 weeks falling off or having to come back for multiple appointments.

The Cerec® system utilizes a high definition intraoral camera (Omnicam), dental computer software, and a CAD/CAM milling chamber to create a scan and images of teeth to to fabricate custom and natural looking crowns. Cerec® is considered to be an advanced dental system designed to create high quality porcelain crowns, veneers, bridges, inlays, and/or onlays in just minutes.

So what goes on during a Cerec® crown appointment?
Dr. McConathy or Dr. Vajda will prepare your tooth by removing all decay while being conservative with keeping the healthy portion of the tooth as the core of the new crown.

A digital impression is taken using titanium dust and an intraoral camera that allows the camera to capture a detailed photo of the tooth being restored. The image is transported to the digital software where the dentists can view the tooth on the screen from all angles to be able to design the custom restoration.

Once the design is completed, the image is transmitted to the milling unit.

A shade is taken of your teeth using a shade guide and a block of ceramic is chosen that closely matches your tooth color. The block is inserted into the milling unit and after 15 minutes the block is shaped just as your natural tooth was.

The porcelain crown is then put into a Vita Vacumat Furnace for glazing to create the most natural results.

The dentist or dental assistant will place the crown in your mouth and adjust as needed to get the perfect fit. An x-ray is taken to confirm the crown is seated in the proper position. Once the correct fit is established, the crown is permanently cemented with dental cement. Some adjustments may be necessary to assure your bite feels normal.

Our patients at Cochecho Dental love the convenience of having their crown procedure designed and placed in a single visit. Our dental team works hard to stay current on the latest advances in dental technology and techniques. This helps us provide you with the best and most efficient dental care possible, allowing you to spend less time in the dental chair and more time on your busy lifestyle.

But how long will Cerec® crowns last?
Every patient has different home care, diet, and cleaning techniques which factor in the longevity of the crown restoration. It's very important to maintain your oral health by visiting the dentist regularly for check up appointments as well as brushing and flossing twice per day. On average, a Cerec® crown can last 5-15 years or even longer if taken care of properly. However, there are certain habits that can decrease the lifespan of your crown such as continual clenching and/or grinding. We may recommend you wear a custom night guard (occlusal guard) at night to prevent these actions.

To learn more about Cerec® crowns and how this technology may benefit you, or to make your next appointment, call Cochecho Dental at (603)742-3321.