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How Dental Crowns Are Made

Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Oakleaf, Orange Park

Most dental practices require two visits for a dental crown and a temporary crown in between. However, Dr. Blankenship can make your all-porcelain tooth crowns in one office visit, using CEREC technology, thus saving you time and inconvenience. He also offers porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns for those who prefer them.

The basics of crown making

The first step in a crown procedure is cleaning the decay from your tooth. An impression is then made as a model for the crown’s shape, and/or very precise digital images are taken using an intraoral camera.

In traditional crown-making. the impressions are sent out to a dental lab where your crown is then crafted. You wear a temporary crown during this phase, and then return to have the crown placed. PFM crowns are created in the traditional manner.

All-porcelain crowns in one visit

Dr. Blankenship uses CEREC technology to create beautiful, all-porcelain crowns in just one office visit. This means less time and effort on your part and no need for any temporary crown.

CEREC uses CAD-CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing) to take images of your teeth and create your dental crown. The crown is milled from a solid block of ceramic in the CEREC system milling unit, and Dr. Blankenship has it right in his office. He has invested in this technology so that you can benefit from the most advanced system available. He is one of just a few dentists in the Jacksonville area that have this technology, and there is no additional charge.

The lab and the extra visit are eliminated. Your crown is created while you relax in our serene office where you can listen to music or watch a movie while you wait. Typically, the wait is about 15 minutes.

Preserving your tooth

The porcelain used in CEREC crowns is the best tooth restoration material available. It is very similar to your natural tooth material, so unlike metal fillings, it will not crack or damage your tooth by expanding and contracting when you eat and drink hot or cold foods and beverages.

CEREC crowns are bonded to your tooth in a way that allows Dr. Blankenship to preserve as much healthy tooth material as possible.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal

Dr. Blankenship prefers CEREC crowns in most cases, but he still offers the choice of laboratory fabricated crowns. If you choose a laboratory fabricated crown, you will need to come in for two visits.

You can learn more about tooth crowns by reading Questions About Your Dental Crown and by viewing our Before and After Gallery. Please contact us today to schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation in our Ponte Vedra, Florida office.