Same-Day Crowns after Root Canal Therapy
If you have a tooth that is infected, it’s important to undergo root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) as soon as possible. This prevents the spread of infection to other parts of the mouth, and alleviates the pain associated with a tooth infection. Usually a root canal takes two visits to complete, but Gooch Family Dental in Birmingham, AL offers advanced restorative treatment.
Dr. Burton Gooch and his team would like to consider how custom same-day dental crowns using state-of-the-art CEREC® technology can be used to complete a root canal. We’ll then list the benefits of this technology, and why CEREC® makes things better and easier for dentists and patients alike.
What Happens in a Traditional Root Canal?
During a traditional root canal, an infected tooth is drilled into so the dentist can access the pulp chamber. The diseased dental pulp is then removed from the tooth and the pulp chamber sterilized. Once the chamber is sterilized, it is filled with an inert material. The treated tooth is then capped with a temporary crown, which will be replaced by a permanent crown roughly a week or so later.
What Is CEREC® Technology?
CEREC® technology is a type of in-office milling unit that dentists can use to create custom tooth-colored restorations. Rather than relying on an outside dental lab, dental practices can instead take digital impressions and fabricate permanent crowns during a patient’s visit. The CAD/CAM technology also allows dentists to alter the design of the crown as needed.
The same-day dental crowns created with CEREC® technology are durable and look completely natural. These CEREC® restorations are created from a single, solid block of dental ceramic, allowing it to withstand the normal wear and tear of biting, chewing, and daily life.
How Long Will It Take to Create a Custom CEREC® Crown?
A custom CEREC® restoration can be crafted in just an hour or two. That means in the same day and the same visit, a full root canal can be performed, completed, and capped with a permanent crown. Compared to the rational root canal, this means just one visit is necessary rather than multiple visits spaced a week or so apart.
The Benefits of CEREC® Technology
The benefits of CEREC® technology are numerous:
- Saves on Time - Thanks to CEREC® dental crowns, patients only need to make a single dental visit for full root canal treatment. That’s one less visit to worry about.
- Convenience - Taking time off from work or school can be an inconvenience. Thanks to the single-visit nature of CEREC® technology, patients have one less thing to worry about.
- Durable Materials - The CEREC® crowns are sturdy, and able to perform just as well as your natural teeth when eating and going about your day.
- Natural Appearance - The tooth-colored dental ceramic can be carefully color matched to your tooth structure. This means that the CEREC® crown blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
The Results of Root Canal Therapy with a CEREC® Crown
The results of a root canal using same-day CEREC® crowns are excellent. Patients are able to have a completed treatment in just a single morning or afternoon, and the crown itself looks just like the rest of the patient’s teeth. The material last for years, meaning excellent long-term results and great dental health.
Learn More About Advanced Dental Care Technology
For more information about the latest dental care technology and how it can help you have the healthiest smile possible, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Gooch Family Dental is here for you. You can reach us by phone at (205) 545-8001.