CEREC same day crowns Archives

Why do I have a black line around my crown?

September 11, 2021 by Brian Sartin

So I had a crown done awhile ago now. My regular family dentist did the work. I was using a bright flashlight the other night to get a good look at my teeth. And when I shined the light on my crown it appeared transparent. I noticed a little bit of black right around my gums. What is that? Should I have gone to a cosmetic dentist to have the crown done in the first place? I don’t like the way it looks.

– Michelle in Nebraska

Michelle,

Based on what you have described, the crown you have in your mouth sounds like it is a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. It doesn’t mean that your dentist did anything wrong or that anything is wrong with the functionality of the tooth. That said, a cosmetic dentist places a much higher emphasis on the aesthetics of dentistry. So an excellent cosmetic dentist may have recommended an all porcelain crown.

Some dentists still prefer to use porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on back molars because the metal structure provides a strong foundation for back teeth. These types of crowns hold up well from a structural standpoint and can withstand extreme biting force. But with the advances in bonding technologies today, many cosmetic dentists are confident that all porcelain crowns will hold up just find on molars. Anyway, the black that is beginning to appear at your gumline is the metal showing through the porcelain. Or if you had a root canal on the tooth, the tooth can appear darker than normal because there is no longer blood circulating to that tooth.

For future reference, you may be interested in learning more about CEREC crowns. These days are also known as same day crowns, because all of the work is done in one visit. That means you don’t have to wear an uncomfortable temporary.

It is still not a bad idea to get into your dentist to have it looked out so the possibility of any tooth decay can be ruled out. Again, it sounds like the metal that is visible, but better to be safe than sorry. Lastly, if this is a indeed a front tooth that you are referring to, then a cosmetic dentist may be the way to go. They care much more about how the end result will look. And all porcelain will look so beautiful that no one will no you had any work done. Good luck!

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!

Was CEREC the wrong choice for a front tooth?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am starting to doubt my dentist that placed a CEREC crown on my front tooth. I was sold when I heard that by choosing CEREC, I wouldn’t have to deal with the inconvenience of a temporary crown. Having the crown done in only one office visit was very appealing. Well, I left town the day after I had the crown placed. I was shocked when the crown came off the next day. I was freaking out and so my friend referred me to her personal dentist. Her dentist seemed comfortable with CEREC and reattached the crown for me. I don’t love the look of the new crown. The color doesn’t look quite right and I think it appears a little longer than the neighboring tooth. The following week when I returned home, I called my dentist to explain what had happened. My dentist offered to have the crown redone. But now I’m starting to wonder if CEREC was a bad choice to replace a broken front tooth? Maybe I should move forward with the traditional crown placement method and go through with the temporary and permanent crown. And I’m even beginning to doubt that having my dentist redo it is the right call either. I’m feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. Can you give me some advice?

-Jen in New York

It is always difficult to provide specific recommendations without having seen your case in person. That said, I’m sorry that you are having to go through this. The bottom line is that a front tooth, single crown is very difficult to get right. Not just any dentist can pull this off. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. Most dentists come from a functional mindset of fixing a problem. Very few (less than two percent) actually have the artistic beauty to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results, especially on a front tooth.

The color may not be right because of the milling machine that was used to fabricate the CEREC crown. Typically, there is a lot of communicator and collaboration on the color of a crown between the cosmetic dentist and the ceramist. But the machine short cuts that process and the CEREC machine will result in a factory color for the crown. A CEREC crown is milled form a single ceramic block, which is provided from the factory. Often times, dentists like using CEREC technology, but agree that they may not be the best fit for a front tooth crown. But there are some highly skilled cosmetic dentists that may be able to deliver a beautiful front tooth CEREC crown. Most excellent cosmetic dentists would choose a traditional porcelain crown so they could perfectly match the surrounding translucency, color and exact shape.

Another cautionary sign is that the crown should not have come off in the first place. So, it is quite possible that the dental bonding wasn’t done properly to begin with. Therefore, you may be correct in questioning your dentist’s ability with cosmetic dentistry. It is nice that he is offering to redo the crown, but you have to wonder if he will successful bond it in place this time around. This may be beyond his personal skill set.

All this to be said, it may be time to seek a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist before moving forward with the crown replacement. Meet with another dentist, one that has experience and training in cosmetic dentistry. Specifically ask if they have done front tooth crowns and ask to see examples of the work. Then, you can better assess what may be the best way to go.

Again, it is hard to tell you exactly what to do without having seen your case. Hopefully this gives you some things to consider before moving forward in getting the porcelain crown replaced.