At Back Bay Dental, we offer innovative CEREC crown technology to provide durable, custom-made crowns in as little as two hours. Led by Dr. Nicholas Ciancarelli, our practice in Wolfeboro, NH, offers a range of dental restoration services, including crown lengthening, to help improve the appearance and function of your smile. Whether you need to restore a damaged tooth or improve the overall aesthetics of your teeth, our state-of-the-art CEREC system ensures you leave our office with a perfectly fitting, natural-looking crown in just one visit.
CEREC crowns are made with advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. This allows us to create custom crowns while you wait, avoiding the need for multiple visits and temporary restorations. If you’re looking for a fast, efficient, and high-quality dental restoration, CEREC crowns are the solution you’ve been looking for.
Signs You Might Need a Dental Crown or Crown Lengthening
Dental crowns and crown lengthening can be beneficial for various dental issues. If you’re experiencing any of the following, you may need to consider these procedures:
- Tooth decay or damage: A crown is often the best solution for teeth with large cavities or cracks that cannot be restored with a filling.
- Weakened tooth structure: A crown helps reinforce a tooth weakened by decay or large fillings.
- Cosmetic concerns: A crown can improve the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth.
- Dental implants: Crown lengthening can be done to prepare your gums and teeth for a dental implant procedure.
- Gum recession or uneven gum line: Crown lengthening helps reveal more of the tooth’s surface, improving appearance and function.
- Broken or fractured teeth: A crown helps to protect and restore teeth that have been broken or fractured.
In some cases, crown lengthening may also be recommended before placing a crown if a tooth’s remaining structure is not sufficiently visible.
Why Crown Restorations and Crown Lengthening Are Necessary
Dental crowns are necessary to restore the form and function of damaged or weakened teeth, providing protection and preserving the tooth’s integrity. When a tooth is too damaged for a filling, a crown helps reinforce it and restore its shape, ensuring it can function adequately for years. Crowns also protect the tooth from further damage, preventing it from breaking or cracking further.
Crown lengthening is an essential procedure for correcting gum overgrowth or revealing more of the tooth’s structure. This is particularly important when preparing a tooth for a crown or dental implant. Without sufficient tooth structure above the gum line, the restoration may not fit properly, or the implant may not be stable. Crown lengthening ensures the tooth is exposed to the ideal level, making achieving a substantial, lasting restoration possible.
The benefits of using CEREC technology for crowns include faster treatment, better fitting restorations, and more precision. Traditional crowns often require two or more visits to the dentist, along with temporary restorations, but with CEREC, your crown can be designed, created, and placed in a single appointment.
The Process of CEREC Crowns and Crown Lengthening at Back Bay Dental
At Back Bay Dental, Dr. Ciancarelli offers an efficient, patient-friendly process for both CEREC crowns and crown lengthening. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- Initial Consultation and Evaluation: During your first visit, Dr. Ciancarelli will assess the condition of your tooth and discuss your treatment options. This may involve taking digital X-rays or using intraoral cameras to evaluate the tooth’s structure.
- Crown Lengthening Procedure (if needed): If your tooth requires crown lengthening, this procedure will involve reshaping the gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This will provide the ideal foundation for the crown.
- CEREC Crown Design: Dr. Ciancarelli will design your crown using advanced CAD/CAM technology to fit your tooth precisely. The CEREC system creates a 3D image of your tooth, which is then used to design the custom crown.
- CEREC Crown Fabrication: The CEREC system mills your crown from a single block of ceramic material. This process takes about 20 minutes, and the crown is custom-designed for strength and aesthetic appeal.
- Crown Placement: Once the crown is ready, Dr. Ciancarelli will check its fit and make any necessary adjustments. The crown will then be permanently bonded to your tooth, providing a natural, durable restoration.
- Post-Treatment Care: After the procedure, you will receive aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing and maintain the longevity of your crown.
With CEREC technology, your entire crown restoration process is completed in just one visit, with no need for temporary crowns or additional appointments.
Preventing the Need for Future Restorations
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing crown damage and maintaining tooth health. Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily will help prevent decay and ensure crowns stay in optimal condition. Regular dental checkups are also essential, as they allow Dr. Ciancarelli to monitor the health of crowns and surrounding teeth.
Avoiding harmful habits, such as grinding your teeth (bruxism), chewing hard objects, or using your teeth to open packages, can also help prevent crown damage. If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard may be recommended to protect your crowns and natural teeth. With the proper care, your CEREC crowns can last many years, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
What to Expect After Crown Restorations and Lengthening Procedures
CEREC crowns typically require minimal recovery time, as the procedure is non-invasive and only involves reshaping your tooth to fit the crown. Some patients may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity in the treated area, which usually resolves within a few days. The crown should feel comfortable and natural once placed.
You may experience some swelling or discomfort in the gums for crown lengthening, but these symptoms can be managed with prescribed pain relievers. The healing process typically takes a few weeks, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure your gums and teeth are healing correctly. Once healing is complete, your new crown will fit seamlessly, providing both comfort and functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a CEREC crown?
With CEREC technology, a custom crown can be placed in just one visit, typically within 1.5 to 2 hours. This makes it a fast and efficient option for dental restoration.
Is CEREC technology accurate?
Yes, CEREC crowns are highly accurate. The system uses advanced CAD/CAM technology to design and mill your crown with precise fit, ensuring optimal comfort and longevity.
How long will my CEREC crown last?
CEREC crowns are made from durable ceramic materials lasting 10-15 years or longer with proper care, such as regular brushing and flossing.
Do I need a crown lengthening procedure for every crown?
Crown lengthening is only necessary if the tooth’s structure is not sufficiently exposed above the gum line to support a crown. Dr. Ciancarelli will evaluate your case to determine if it’s needed.
Is the CEREC crown procedure painful?
The CEREC procedure is generally painless because it is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
Get Your Custom CEREC Crown in Just One Visit at Back Bay Dental
If you’re looking for a fast, effective, and lasting solution to restore your damaged or weakened tooth, CEREC crowns at Back Bay Dental are the perfect option. Dr. Nicholas Ciancarelli and his experienced team are dedicated to providing you with top-quality care and custom crowns that will improve your smile’s function and appearance. Thanks to our advanced CEREC technology, you can receive your permanent, custom-made crown in as little as two hours.
Don’t wait for multiple visits to restore your smile—contact Back Bay Dental today to schedule your consultation. Dr. Ciancarelli will help you achieve a beautifully restored smile with the precision and convenience of CEREC crowns and crown lengthening procedures. Let us provide fast, effective, and long-lasting solutions for your oral health needs!
Dental crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that are used to replace or restore damaged or missing teeth. Crowns – also known as caps – are fixed over the surfaces of natural tooth structures or dental implants. Bridges are used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth and are anchored in place by the natural teeth or crowns nearest the empty space. Both crowns and bridges are non-removable and must be cemented in place by a licensed dentist. Patients who get crown or bridges to restore their smiles achieve both the function and appearance of natural, healthy teeth.
Did you know…
that the Etruscan civilization were the first to use crowns as a means of restoring damaged teeth? In fact, the materials they used – ivory, gold, and bones – were still the standard in dentistry as recently as the 20th century, when porcelain crowns were first invented. Today, crowns and bridges are customized specifically for the patient’s bite and can usually be placed in as little as one or two dental visits. With proper cleaning and regular dental check-ups, crowns and bridges can last many years, or even a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a crown or bridge right for me?
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. If your tooth is missing, but its former position is surrounded by other tooth structures, a bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from crowns or bridges.
What should I expect when I have my crown or bridge placed?
If you are a candidate for a crown or bridge, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the crown or bridge. If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its color will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your crown or bridge, you may be fitted with a temporary restoration until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown and bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
