If your tooth is severely decayed or damaged, you can save it with dental crowns. Fortunately, you can choose between same day crowns the CEREC way and traditional crowns. Both options are great as they can strengthen and restore your natural tooth.
However, before you choose any option between the two, you need to understand each option so that you can choose the option that suits your needs.
To help you choose the right option for you, let’s understand these two types of dental crowns in detail. Let’s get started!
CEREC vs. traditional crowns
In the past, patients could only choose the crown material and nothing else. The procedure was basically the same, regardless of the material selected. But nowadays, patients can choose the crown procedure. Dentists are now spreading the word via dental SEO about CEREC crowns.
- Procedure time
If you want to get dental crowns, you need to consider the length of time the procedure will take. CEREC crowns are placed in just a single visit. Placing the CEREC crowns can take only 2 hours. Traditional crowns, on the other hand, require a patient to make two visits. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth, take impressions, and place temporary crowns. The patient will then come back to get the permanent crown once the dental lab has finished fabricating it.
- Materials
CEREC crowns are made of porcelain. Porcelain crowns can either be used on front teeth or back teeth. But patients with severely misaligned teeth usually require crown made of porcelain fused to gold or metal. The material is very strong and is less likely to wear due to biting and chewing forces. When it comes to traditional crowns, patients have the option to choose from a variety of materials. Other than porcelain, there are porcelain fused to metal, gold alloys, and metal alloys.
- Temporary crowns
When you choose CEREC crowns, you receive the permanent crown on your first visit. But if you opt for the traditional crowns, you will leave the clinic with just temporary crowns. Temporary crowns aren’t as durable as permanent crowns.
Temporary crowns are prone to cracking and falling out, which is why patients need to be careful. Many patients choose CEREC crowns because of their convenience and to avoid wearing temporary crowns at any cost.
- Aesthetics
Both traditional and CEREC crowns resemble natural teeth. The dentist and the lab technician match the shape and color of the patient’s teeth. Lab-crafted crowns generally match the color of the natural teeth more closely. Dentists usually recommend traditional crowns for the front teeth because of the color match and CEREC crowns for the back teeth as the contours and ridges as a perfect fit.
Which one is right for you?
Both CEREC and traditional crowns are strong and look like natural teeth. If you are looking for the most convenient option, you can opt for CEREC crowns. If you are looking for other material than porcelain, you can choose traditional crowns. If you are unsure which dental crown is right for you, you can talk to your dentist.
