For people who have experienced damage to their teeth, tooth crowns may be the best option for restoration. Whether the damage is due to the ageing process, previous dental work, or an accident, if the root is still intact but the surface of the tooth is damaged, a tooth crown can often provide the repair and protection needed for a healthy and pain-free mouth.

Your dentist should be able to tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for tooth crowns. Some of the common reasons for receiving a tooth crown include:

• Teeth grinding
• Damaging chewing patterns
• Dental filling decay
• Lost fillings
• Root canals
• Breakage or cracking of teeth.
• Missing teeth

Once your dentist has determined tooth crowns are right for your situation, you typically can expect to go through a process involving at least two dentist appointments. During the first visit, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth needing the crown and send it to a lab where the crown will be made. The dentist will likely provide a temporary crown to wear while you wait for the permanent one. In some situations in which the teeth are severely damaged, teeth restoration may be required before the dentist can attach the crown.

A new process known as ceramic reconstruction is giving patients the opportunity to experience a single-visit restoration instead of having to wait two or more weeks for the tooth crowns. Also known as CEREC, the process utilizes a computer in the actual dentist’s office to develop the restoration from a block of ceramic material.

This alternative to the typical tooth crown simplifies the process and provides a natural and safe way for patients to have their damaged teeth repaired. Experts report that CEREC can provide partial and full crowns as well as veneers—all in one visit. Furthermore, the computer technology creates a more durable remedy for damaged teeth, making the teeth stronger and the mouth healthier.  

For patients who are concerned about the appearance of their teeth, the CEREC procedure has natural results that match the ceramic to the patients’ teeth color. It also is mercury and metal free, biocompatible and plaque-resistant.  

It is no longer necessary to live life in pain or embarrassment over damaged teeth. Receiving proper dental care regularly and having access to procedures such as the ceramic reconstruction and traditional methods for placing tooth crowns give the patient the best chance at having healthy teeth and the ability to smile with confidence.