CEREC crown in a day Archives

My crown keeps falling off!

September 2, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had a same day crown done. There was no temporary crown, which was very convenient. I don’t know exactly what the material that was used for the crown. But it can’t be good, because it has come off three times already. This has all taken place in less than a year. Well, when it came off again, I finally wised up and went to a new dentist. The new dentist said that the setting wasn’t done properly. He used zirconcia porcelain for the new crown. Well, all of this sounded good to me. But, it has already fallen off twice in only a month. Now, he is saying I need a full porcelain crown with a new setting because the bonding isn’t happening on my tooth. I’m so sick of this. Any advice?

– Beth in Flordia

Beth,

The original crown you had placed is called a CEREC crown, which is prepped, fitted, and placed all in the same day. When this type of dental crown (well any type of crown) is placed properly, it should stay on permanently. It doesn’t matter whether it’s porcelain, CEREC, gold, or zicronia. If it is done correctly, it should stay in place.

Therefore, it sounds like there is an issue with the dental bonding and the shape of the tooth when it was prepared. This must be the “setting” that your second dentist is referencing. The tooth should have a slight taper when it is initially prepared so that the cement will properly adhere to the tooth. If it was not prepared properly, it doesn’t matter how strong the cement is. It will continue to fail.

Although, the strength of the cement can be a factor, the bond needs to be sufficient. It is difficult to provide more specific recommendations without having seen your case. The best conclusion is that the tooth was not prepared properly. So, now what?

You need to find an experience dentist, likely a cosmetic dentist that truly understand the bonding techniques and materials required to successfully place a crown. It is not normal for a crown to fall off multiple times. Many dentists go the length of their entire career without this happening. It’s time to have a consultation with a dentist that better understands cosmetic dentistry. Best of luck. Sorry that you are dealing with this situation.

Bottom line is that it’s not the CEREC same-day crown or material used that is causing your crown to fall off.

Will CEREC crowns work better than porcelain crowns?

August 31, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I was told I need a CEREC crown at my last dentist appointment. One of my teeth in the very back has a big cavity. So, he’s recommending I get it replaced with a CEREC crown. I’ve had porcelain crowns in the past. I was wondering if they will hold up the same or any better? I ask, because I grind my teeth at night. So, I need to know that a CEREC crown will hold up just as well as a porcelain crown. Also, do you know how long a CEREC crown will last?

-Elizabeth in Indiana

Elizabeth,

Well, CEREC crowns have the same lifespan as porcelain crowns. When a crown is done by an expert cosmetic dentist, it can last around 15 years or more if it is taken of. It’s not unheard of them to last over 20 years. The only main difference here is convenience. The CEREC crowns are done all in the same visit. This process completely eliminates the need for a temporary crown. The tooth is prepared, fitted and the permanent CEREC crown is placed the same day.

But, the concern here isn’t around having a CEREC crown done. It’s about your night grinding. Any kind of grinding will shorten the lifespan of any type of porcelain crown or cosmetic dentistry work. The enamel of your healthy teeth can also be damaged. Has your dentist talked about TMJ with you? TMJ can be a result of nighttime grinding. It can cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, problems with your bite and other issues. It is a serious condition that needs to be addressed sooner than later. In fact, it may be the reason you are having issues with your back tooth in the first place.

So, you need to have the grinding addressed right away. A night-guard worn at bedtime will protect your teeth and any dental work you receive moving forward. It will help keep your bite in alignment and help relieve any of the TMJ problems you may already be experiencing. If your dentist hasn’t discussed this concern with you to date, you may need to see a TMJ dentist or TMJ specialist. They will be able to pinpoint the cause and better help you.

Once the TMJ has been addressed, you should be able to get your crown and ensure it will last for years to come. If you don’t move forward with addressing your grinding issue, the crown could be damaged, just as soon as it is placed. So, getting the night-guard done will help avoid costly repairs and potential TMJ pain down the road.

Good luck!

Do CEREC Crowns Fall Off Because They’re Cheap?

August 17, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My dentist recommended me that I should get crowns on a few of my teeth. I did some googling and thought CEREC crowns are the best choice for me. However, I did have a few questions about it. I never have had crowns before, and I remember a lot of my friends were complaining how their crowns keep falling off and how they have to go and get it installed, sometimes even having to pay a hefty bill. Are CEREC crowns less prone to falling off than regular crowns? Also, one of my friends was constantly talking how he can’t eat certain foods because he’s scared that they will fall off again. Will that happen to me if I use CEREC? I assume I’m going to be wearing them for a long time and don’t want to be restricted from certain foods because of it. This certainly can all be just because my friend, who complained the most about crowns, was having a really cheap dentist and wasn’t spending a lot of money on his teeth. I am willing to pay the price so that my teeth look pretty while wearing the crowns, meaning I don’t want them to be seen, and that I basically don’t even know about them while wearing them. I am in a particular line of business where smile and looks are very important and, as I said, the price is not the problem. However, if you think something else is better for me, I’m willing to listen to your suggestion?

Thank you,

Patrice in Arizona

Dear Patrice,

CEREC crowns, when done by an expert cosmetic dentist, can be an excellent choice. Many people love the convenience of CEREC, because they can be done in only one appointment. This also means that you do not need a temporary crown while the permanent crown is being fabricated. CEREC technology enables the dentist to prepare, fit and place the crown all in one day. They are very popular for busy professionals or anyone that doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by a temporary crown that may be at risk for falling off.

To go into more details about the mechanics of a crown, there are several factors in whether a crown stays on or not. Whether the dentist shapes them right or not is the primary concern. When one has the proper shape, it can literally stay in place based on suction alone, though this wouldn’t be enough to withstand “extreme” pressures, like eating a caramel apple. In that case, the caramel would adhere to the restoration and would pull it off regardless. It really doesn’t matter what dental material it’s made of. The science behind it and the hold would be the same. Obviously, restorations aren’t just left in the mouth. They are permanently cemented, which adds another layer of protection and seals the edges. This can sometimes be problematic, though. If, for instance, the dentist doesn’t do a good job of mixing the cement or doesn’t dry the tooth all the way, the dental bonding is not going to be strong. Using cheap, old, or poorly-kept cement will weaken the bond as well. These issues are universal for all types of crowns, no matter what brand they are or what material they’re made of. To be clear, this is talking about new porcelain crowns. In other words, the dentist is the problem if your friend is losing new restorations.

If they’re older, it’s probably due to “natural” causes. They won’t last forever. You may have even a well-made restoration last as few as seven years, though some people manage to hold onto them for 20 years or more with proper care. Usually, receding gums and recurrent decay are the culprits for older ones.

The shortened version is that you shouldn’t feel like you’re restricting yourself, but you’ll need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist to do the work, so you get the longest lifespan possible from it.