CEREC Crowns IN APEX

CEREC is a type of computer-assisted restorative dentistry, which uses specialized dental CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/manufacturing) tools to prototype and manufacture your dental crown right here in our office.
‍
Traditionally, crowns are made at a third-party lab after your dentist takes impressions and images of your teeth. The result is a very high-quality crown, but this process may take several weeks and requires you to come in for two appointments.
‍
CEREC allows Dr. Barker to use a handheld 3D imaging tool to scan your mouth, upload this model to our in-office milling machine, then create your crown from a block of porcelain, all in a single 2-hour appointment. Thanks to CEREC, you can get immediate care at Cardinal Family Dentistry for a damaged, decayed or broken tooth in Cary, New Hill, Apex or Holly Springs.

The CEREC crown process takes just one appointment at Cardinal Family Dentistry. The process will begin similarly to having a traditional crown placed. Dr. Barker will clean and numb your mouth, and you can be sedated, if desired.
‍
Next, she will begin removing any damaged or decayed enamel from your tooth, and she will sculpt it into a strong, stable platform onto which your crown will be attached. Once your tooth has been prepared, she will use a handheld 3D scanner to take images of your mouth and your newly-trimmed tooth. This scanner creates a 3D model of your mouth, which is uploaded to our in-office CEREC milling machine.
‍
Then, Dr. Barker will load a block of porcelain into the machine. Then, the CEREC machine will trim, cut, and mill the block of porcelain based on Dr. Barker’s design, creating your dental crown in just a few minutes. Dr. Barker will retrieve your crown, check to make sure it fits into your mouth perfectly, and make any minor adjustments, if necessary. Finally, the crown will be bonded into place permanently using dental cement. This entire process only takes about two hours.

CEREC crowns are just as strong and durable as lab-made crowns. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect your crown to last 10-15 years or longer. To keep your crown in great shape, simply brush and floss properly, and see Dr. Barker for an oral exam and cleaning every six months.

The biggest difference between CEREC crowns and regular crowns is how long each procedure takes. Traditional crowns usually take at least 2 appointments over a period of 2-3 weeks. One appointment is necessary for fitting your crown, then, a dental lab makes your crown and sends it to our office. At your second appointment, it’s placed onto your tooth.
‍
With CEREC, this process is condensed into a single appointment. Dr. Barker can prepare your tooth, fit you for your crown, build your crown, and place it in just one appointment at Cardinal Family Dentistry. Most patients spend no more than 2 hours in our office.
‍
Another difference is that CEREC crowns are metal-free. Lab-made crowns usually use a metal base with a porcelain “jacket.” But with CEREC, your entire crown is carved from a single block of ceramic material. 
‍
One more important difference is the way that you’re fitted for your crown. For traditional crowns, dentists often must use dental putty to take physical impressions of your teeth, using a set of dental trays. Lots of patients find this to be uncomfortable. It’s especially bad for people with strong gag reflexes.
‍
With CEREC, Dr. Barker will use a special digital scanner to take impressions of your teeth. There’s no need for any goopy dental putty or uncomfortable trays, and she’ll be able to create an accurate, precise mold of your teeth.

CEREC crowns are made from a special type of ceramic material that’s pressed into a block shape. These blocks are available in lots of different colors and shades, so that Dr. Barker can choose the material that looks the most like your natural tooth.
‍
Once Dr. Barker finds the right shade, she loads the block into a special CEREC machine, which carves out the crown in just a few minutes, based on her scans and designs. The result is a lifelike tooth that will fit perfectly into your mouth.
‍
Thanks to the use of this advanced ceramic material, CEREC crowns are extremely durable, cannot be stained, and require minimal care. It’s common for CEREC crowns to last at least 15 years. And with great at-home oral care, they can easily last two or three decades, so a CEREC crown is a great life-long investment.

Yes. Just like traditional crowns, CEREC crowns are typically covered by your insurance plan up to all applicable limits. For example, most insurance plans cover either 80% or 50% of the cost of restorative treatments like dental crowns.
‍
 However, this is only true if the crown is “medically necessary.” For example, your insurance will likely cover a crown after a root canal. But your policy likely won’t cover a crown that’s exclusively for cosmetic purposes.
‍
If you have questions about your insurance coverage, it’s best to consult with your policy documents, or to contact your insurer directly. Your insurer will give you all the details you need about your CEREC coverage.