Dental Crown Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

Crown Restorations Made in One Visit Using Our CEREC System

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Traditionally, if you went to the dentist for a crown restoration, the process would be spread across two appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared for the crown. This includes re-shaping the tooth to receive the crown and removing the damaged portion of the tooth. Depending on the amount of damage the tooth sustained, it may also require a core buildup.

After that, an impression of the tooth is taken and sent to a dental lab, where the customized crown is created. You would leave the first appointment with a temporary crown on your tooth.

Usually after two weeks, you would return for your customized crown. Your temporary is removed and the new crown evaluated for a good fit and cemented.

Can a Crown Be Fabricated in One Visit?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, crown restorations can happen in a single visit using the CEREC crown restoration system!

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. The system uses computer-aided design – also called CAD – to create permanent customized dental restorations immediately. While it used to take a dental lab a couple of weeks to create a crown, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff use the latest technology – the CEREC crown restoration system – to create crowns in minutes.

In a single visit, we can create a variety of perfectly fitting restorations, including:

Crowns
Inlays
Onlays

Using the Prime Scan to Capture Perfect 3D Images of Your Teeth

We are happy to now be using the latest scanning unit for our CEREC crowns. The CEREC Prime Scan is a recently developed scanning unit that captures highly detailed images of your mouth.

Many of you had the opportunity to benefit from our previous scanning unit, the Omnicam, and it worked well, but the new CEREC Prime Scan can image even faster and with more detail. With the CEREC Prime Scan, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff use a small handheld camera to scan your mouth for crisp, perfectly captured images of your teeth.

Material Options for Crowns

After taking a scan of your teeth, we’re able to create a crown restoration in minutes. New crowns can be made of compressed porcelain, emax porcelain, or compressed composite resin. During your appointment, you can talk with Dr. Elizbeth and Dr. Jeff to determine what material is the best fit for you.

Schedule an Appointment to Get Your Crown Restoration in One Visit

In the past, people procrastinated getting their recommended crown restorations for a variety of reasons. They were too busy to come in for multiple appointments. They had a bad experience with a temporary crown. Or they thought the process of getting impressions taken was uncomfortable.

With the CEREC crown restoration system, that’s all a thing of the past.

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff Eggert of Eggert Family Dentistry can complete the dental restoration work you need in a single appointment. Call our office at 651-482-8412 to schedule your appointment.

What Is a Core Buildup, and Why Would You Need One?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When a tooth is severely damaged – for example, from a large cavity, a fracture, or a failed filling – a crown may be necessary to restore the function and appearance of the tooth. However, if too much of the tooth is missing to support the crown, it may be necessary to rebuild part of the tooth.

A core buildup can be part of the process of preparing a tooth to receive a crown. For the crown to be successful, there are minimum size requirements for the height, width, and taper of a tooth. A core buildup ensures the tooth has a strong foundation and is stable enough to support the crown.

Is a Core Buildup Always Necessary for a Crown?

If a tooth has not suffered significant damage, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff can often prepare the tooth for a crown without doing a core buildup. However, if the tooth is badly damaged, for example because of a fracture or an existing large filling, a core buildup is an essential part of the preparation for a new crown.

What Is a Core Buildup Made Of?

Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff usually use a composite resin or a resin modified glass ionomer to create the core buildup. Although metal-based materials have been used in the past for core buildups, they require a more invasive preparation of the tooth enamel and require an additional appointment to give the material time to fully set. By using a resin material, more of the original tooth can be saved because of the ability to bond to the tooth, which tends to result in better crown retention. Also, the material can be prepared right away and on the same day!

What Is a Post, and When Is It Needed?

When a substantial amount of the original tooth is missing and the tooth has had a root canal, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff may need to add a post to help hold the resin material of the core buildup. The ability to use the root canal space allows for even more support for the new foundation.

Is the Core Buildup Done at the Same Appointment as the Crown?

Completing a core buildup typically takes about 5-10 minutes. If placement of a post is needed, the appointment may take longer. When the core buildup is finished, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff can use the CEREC crown restoration system to create your new crown in minutes.

If you think you may need a crown, call our office at 651-482-8412. During your oral exam, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will determine whether you need a crown and a core buildup.

3 Ways to Fix a Chipped Tooth

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

A chipped tooth is no laughing matter. Depending on the severity of the break, a chipped tooth can be embarrassing and extremely painful. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we have three options for repairing a chipped tooth: bonding, veneers and crowns. Let’s take a closer look at each of these three options.

Dental Bonding

One of the biggest perks of dental bonding is the ease of the process. Dental bonding can be completed in a single appointment. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff apply a putty-like composite resin to your tooth and then sculpt and shape it before curing and hardening the material with an intense blue light. Once polished, composite bonded restorations have a smooth and shiny finish, blending in well with the natural teeth.

Dental bonding is an effective way to repair and reshape a cracked tooth and is also used to correct gaps in teeth or cover up stains. Dental bonding usually lasts for 5-10 years and is a cost-effective solution that helps restore your natural smile.

Check out Lia’s story about her experience with dental bonding here!

Veneers

Veneers are a stunning option for cracked teeth as well as stained, gaping, and misaligned teeth. They consist of a thin porcelain shell that covers your existing tooth. Applying veneers is a little more labor-intensive process than dental bonding and requires 2-3 visits to complete. At your first visit, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will discuss the result they hope to achieve with the veneers. Then, they prepare your teeth for the custom porcelain overlay and take an impression of your prepared teeth. This impression is then sent to a dental lab where your veneers are fabricated. In the meantime, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will fit you with an attractive temporary solution. The veneer preparation process takes 2-3 weeks. Once your custom veneers are created, you will come back into our office where we will polish your teeth and bond your veneers in place. We work hard to make sure they feel like natural teeth and that you love the results.

Take a look at Katie’s story to learn how porcelain veneers transformed her smile!

Crowns

A crown is an excellent option for repairing a severely cracked or damaged tooth. Commonly made from 100% porcelain, crowns restore the integrity of a damaged tooth more than dental bonding or porcelain veneers because they “cap” or fully encompass the entire tooth. They facilitate chewing and can be color-matched to the rest of your teeth for a flawless appearance.

Creating and placing your custom crown will take 1-2 visits with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff. A local anesthetic will ensure your comfort while your tooth is prepared for the crown. In many cases, we can take a CEREC scan of your tooth and fabricate your custom crown in our office the same day! Sometimes, however, a lab fabricated crown may still be the better choice for your situation. If that is the case, we will take an impression of your tooth and surrounding teeth and send this impression into one of our trusted labs where they will fabricate your custom crown. This process usually takes 2 weeks. In the meantime, we will fashion a temporary crown for you to wear.

When we fit your crown, we use a cement bonding agent to ensure that your crown stays securely in place. Crowns usually last 10-20 years with proper care.

Read Mary’s story to learn how crowns dramatically improved her smile!

Do you have a chipped tooth that needs to be repaired? Give us a call at 651.482.8412 to make an appointment and discuss your options!

Crowns vs. Veneers – What’s the Difference?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Cracked, discolored, misshapen and decaying teeth can dramatically impact a person’s self-confidence. If you’re considering redoing your smile, but aren’t sure which route to go, read on! We’ll discuss dental crowns and veneers and highlight some of the differences so together, we can help you determine which option is best for you.

What are crowns?

Made from porcelain, ceramic or metal, crowns are about 1.5 mm thick and cover the entire tooth. Crowns are an excellent choice for teeth that are structurally compromised and need additional support.

What can I expect from the crown process?

If your tooth is decaying, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will start by removing the decay. Then they will reshape your tooth to create space for the crown. Next, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will take a digital image or putty impression of your prepared tooth which helps to ensure that your crown is a perfect fit. Depending on whether you’ll have your crown fabricated same-day in the office with the CEREC crown procedure or if your crown will be made at the dental lab, there will be some wait time. With a CEREC crown, you’ll go home with your final crown on the same day. With a laboratory fabricated crown, a temporary crown will be placed on your tooth initially to help protect it during the 2 weeks the crown is being made. Ultimately, your final crown is cemented into place and should last many years.

Pros and cons of crowns

Because the entire tooth is covered, the tooth is less likely to fully fracture or split than with other restorations like veneers or fillings. Porcelain crowns can look and feel good and can be color-matched to blend with your natural teeth. Crowns generally feel very natural.

Crowns do require more tooth preparation than veneers and sometimes this can put the tooth at higher risk of tooth sensitivity or nerve damage.

What are veneers?

Manufactured most commonly from porcelain, veneers are less than 1mm thick and cover the front of a natural tooth. Veneers can also be made directly from composite resin, or plastic. These typically need to be repaired or replaced more frequently than porcelain veneers.

What can I expect from the veneer process?

Similar to the crown preparation process, the veneer preparation process requires Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff to reshape your tooth to create space for the veneer. Next, a putty impression of your prepared tooth is taken which helps to ensure that your veneer is a perfect fit. While you’re waiting for your permanent veneer to be manufactured, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will place a temporary veneer on your prepared tooth to protect it. Ultimately, your final veneer is bonded to your tooth and the cement is hardened with a bright blue curing light.

Pros and cons of veneers

Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for cosmetic restorations and are a conservative way to help correct misshapen teeth. Veneers can also be color-matched so they blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth or they can be made in a lighter shade to give you the bright smile you’ve always dreamed of.

If you’re thinking about dental restorations and would like to know more about your options, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert would love to speak with you. Call our office at 651.482.8412!

Take Years off Your Smile with These Successful Treatments

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

From consuming sugary foods and beverages to chewing on crunchy or tough foods, from lifestyle choices such as smoking to poor oral hygiene, year after year our teeth endure a tremendous amount of abuse. It’s not surprising then that they manifest signs of wear and tear. Here are some common issues aging teeth often encounter…and some effective solutions that Eggert Family Dentistry offers to help you regain that youthful smile.

Discoloration

People often feel self-conscious about their not-so-pearly whites and resort to closed-mouth smiles. Over time and on account of richly hued and acidic foods and beverages or smoking, white teeth often lose their luster. In most cases, teeth whitening is an effective solution, and while the results aren’t permanent, they’re easy to maintain. If your teeth are severely discolored, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff may determine that porcelain veneers are the best option for you. In this case, a thin layer of porcelain is bonded to the front of the tooth for a bright, natural transformation.

Tooth wear

General tooth wear occurs over time. This can make teeth appear shorter and uneven. Two effective methods of reshaping and reforming teeth are porcelain veneers and crowns. In some situations, enamel shaping with a dental handpiece can help smooth out jagged edges.

Tooth decay

A lifetime of consuming sugary foods, frequent snacking and inconsistent brushing and flossing all lend themselves to tooth decay, a precursor to cavities. Good brushing and flossing habits as well as prescription strength fluoride products can ward off this decay. If cavities form, Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will recommend fillings or crowns to prevent this decay from reaching the nerve and to restore the integrity of the tooth.

Missing teeth

Over time, bad habits such as smoking and excessive consumption of acidic or sugary foods can lead to rotten – and eventually missing – teeth. If you have missing teeth, there are a few common dental procedures that can be used to address the issue:

Bridges

Affixed to the adjacent teeth, bridges ‘bridge’ the gap created by the missing tooth with artificial, yet natural-looking, teeth.

Implants

Most similar in appearance to natural teeth, dental implants are anchored to the jawbone and provide a solid base for supporting artificial teeth, or crowns.

Dentures

In situations where you’ve lost most or all of your teeth, dentures may be your best treatment option.

Eggert Family Dentistry is experienced in caring for aging teeth. Trust us with yours! If you would like to arrange a consult, give us a call at 651.482.8412.

Options for a Traumatized Tooth – Kenton’s Story

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

When Kenton was 9 years old, he was hit in the mouth and his right front tooth fractured. At that time, Kenton needed a root canal on that tooth because the trauma exposed the nerve. A large bonded composite veneer was created on that tooth to help make it look as normal as possible. Usually a fractured and traumatized tooth will eventually need a crown to build it back together but Kenton still had a lot of growing to do. Dr. Elizabeth wanted to buy as much time as possible through his growing years. Fast forward 10 years: Kenton is now 19. The color of Kenton’s teeth changed over the years, the large veneer was no longer holding up and it was decaying around the edges. Kenton noticed how his teeth no longer matched and how dark the traumatized tooth appeared at the gum line. Dr. Elizabeth recommended full records for Kenton. Even if she is was replacing only one tooth, she wanted to help Kenton understand all the risks and benefits, especially in the case of past trauma.

What did he want?

Kenton said, “I would like to have a long-term solution to (fix) my front teeth.” He was concerned about how the differences between his two front teeth were visible and that made him self-conscious. He felt that the traumatized tooth didn’t fall in line with his other front teeth – that they didn’t look “normal.” Also, as a college student, Kenton wanted to keep the costs as low as possible for his tight budget!

What is involved?

Our team started Kenton’s case with the records process. We took models, x-rays and photos of his teeth to assess the needs and function of his entire mouth. This allowed Dr. Elizabeth to see how his teeth, muscles and jaw functioned together and helped her determine what kind of treatment would best help protect the previously traumatized tooth. At the same time, Dr. Elizabeth wanted to give Kenton the smile he desired. She presented her findings to Kenton and his father. Through the records analysis, it was apparent that the best thing Kenton could do to protect his traumatized front tooth was to correct his teeth in the back so they would bite more evenly. As a result, Kenton started with a procedure called equilibration to stabilize his bite. Kenton’s parents hoped to wait a little longer before completing a full crown for Kenton’s front tooth but his front tooth fractured again just a few months later, requiring completion of the crown.

What does he think?

Kenton is very happy with his new crown. Dr. Elizabeth sent Kenton to a dental lab – Certified Dental Ceramics – to have a custom shade selected, since it’s difficult to get a single front tooth crown to match a natural front tooth. Kenton reports that he is much more confident with his new smile now that the color of his front teeth match. He found the records process interesting and learned a lot about his options at the consult appointment. Kenton notices a major improvement in his bite and that his teeth fit together better after the equilibration. He didn’t know what to expect when the tooth broke, but in the end, Kenton thought the process was really easy and is very happy with his results! Thanks for trusting us with your care, Kenton!