At Li Family Dental, we combine tried-and-true dental services with the latest advances in technology. The dental crowns Etobicoke patients consider at our office are crafted using a state-of-the-art computer system for same-day crowns that are natural-looking and affordable.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are a restorative treatment used when your tooth is too damaged for fillings, but the integrity of your tooth and root is still sturdy and healthy. They “cap” your damaged tooth with an artificial tooth that is permanently secured using dental cement.
Dental crowns appear and feel like natural teeth and can also be used for cosmetic purposes. We use Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) crowns, allowing us to create your crown at our office while you wait.
When Are Crowns Recommended?
As mentioned, crowns are the best solution when damage to the tooth is too severe for a normal filling. We will recommend a crown in the following cases:
- There isn’t enough of a broken or cracked tooth remaining to support a filling
- To provide a replacement tooth for bridges
- To protect a weak tooth from breaking
- As a cosmetic solution to cover discoloured, misshapen teeth
- As a cosmetic solution to help fill gaps between teeth
- To cover dental implants as a tooth replacement solution
What is a CEREC Crown?
Traditional crowns require several appointments. They are crafted at an offsite dental lab, which can add two or three weeks to the process.
Our CEREC crowns allow us to create beautifully crafted crowns onsite. CEREC crowns create a perfect fit and natural look that can be inserted in just one appointment.
How is a CEREC Crown Made?
CEREC Crowns are milled on site at Li Family Dental in Etobicoke. Our high-tech milling station provides crowns within as little as an hour.
A CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crown is a high-quality ceramic tooth replacement created and placed in just one dental visit, usually within 1–2 hours. It eliminates the need for messy, goopy, physical impressions, temporary crowns, and second appointments.
Here are the step-by-step, simplified steps of how a CEREC crown is created:
- Tooth Preparation
The dentist numbs the area and removes any decay or damaged tooth structure, shaping it to receive the new crown. - Digital Impression (Scanning)
Instead of a messy, putty-like mold, the dentist uses a small, specialized camera to take 3D digital photos of your tooth. This process takes only a few minutes. - Computer Design (CAD)
The 3D images are fed into computer-aided design (CAD) software, creating a perfect, virtual 3D model of your tooth on screen. The dentist customizes the shape, size, and fit of the crown on the screen. - Milling the Crown (CAM)
The design is sent to an in-office milling machine. The machine uses diamond burs to carve (or "mill") the crown out of a single block of high-quality, tooth-colored ceramic material. This takes about 15–20 minutes. - Finishing and Polishing
The milled crown is polished, and sometimes placed in a small furnace to harden it and enhance its strength and color. - Bonding and Placement
The dentist fits the final, permanent crown over your prepared tooth, makes any necessary adjustments for a perfect bite, and bonds it into place with dental cement.
What Happens at My Crown Appointment?
At your appointment, we will create a 3D impression of your mouth using a small camera. This provides precise measurements to ensure a perfect fit for your new tooth. From there, our system will create your ceramic crown while you wait.
We will take the newly milled crown and apply the right tone and glaze to match your teeth perfectly. Once ready, we will insert your crown and cement it firmly in place.
What Are the Benefits of CEREC Crowns?
There are many benefits of CEREC crowns compared to traditional crowns, including:
- Just one appointment compared to two or three for traditional crowns
- The single appointment takes no more than two hours
- Digital impressions are made using a camera, instead of messy dental moulds
- Digital impressions are used in-house unlike traditional dental moulds, which are sent to an outside lab
- The crown is created onsite using our milling unit for better accuracy and fit
- They can last for up to 15 years with proper care
How Can I Use CEREC Crowns to Improve My Smile?
If you are interested in CEREC crowns as a cosmetic treatment, we will provide a consultation to discuss your smile improvement goals. Crowns are ideal for a number of cosmetic issues, including cracks, chips, stains, and teeth that are too short, too long, or misshapen. We will discuss all of your options and provide a budget for each treatment so you can consider what will work best for your needs.
To book an appointment with our team and discuss dental crowns in Etobicoke, please call (416) 232-2033.