When a cavity is left untreated, it can spread and affect an area too large for a filling to restore. In this situation, our dentists will use a crown to replace the decayed area. A crown is a permanent cap for your tooth that will help restore the function of your tooth. The typical process for a dental crown in Derby, Kansas, requires two different visits. During your first visit, a dentist will numb the area and remove the affected portions of the tooth. In most cases, a large portion of the tooth will have to be removed because the damage is so extensive. The doctor will leave the core of the tooth intact, which will help bond the crown to the tooth later. After an impression is made, the dentist will fit your mouth with a temporary crown while a lab manufactures a permanent crown for you at a dental laboratory. Once the crown is finished, you will come back to the dentist and receive your permanent crown. Typically, the entire process takes about two weeks.
CEREC©
At Derby Family Dentistry, our dentists are interested in providing you with effective and efficient dental care, which is why they use CEREC© single-visit restoration technology to complete your crown in one day. Instead of sending the impression off to the lab, Dr. Stark or Dr. Norden will use the CEREC system to mill your custom-fitted crown in our office. This reduces the number of trips you have to make, as well as eliminating the need for a temporary crown.
If you think that a crown would improve your smile, or if you would like to learn more about the benefits of CEREC, please call or visit our office today.