If you want a smile that's your crowning glory, you may need a crown to cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. It can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It's also used to cover a dental implant.

Most dental restorative methods such as crowns usually require more than one visit to the dentist. First you get an injection of anesthesia, your tooth prepared, an impression taken, and a temporary restoration put on your tooth. Then a couple of weeks later you get yet another injection, have the temporary pried off (if it hasn't fallen off already), and have a permanent restoration put on.

Why go to the dentist a second time when you don't have to?

Here at Applegate Dentistry we use CEREC, a tooth restoration procedure that is done in a single appointment, start to finish.

If you want a smile that's your crowning glory, you may need a crown to cover a tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. It can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It's also used to cover a dental implant.

Most dental restorative methods such as crowns usually require more than one visit to the dentist. First you get an injection of anesthesia, your tooth prepared, an impression taken, and a temporary restoration put on your tooth. Then a couple of weeks later you get yet another injection, have the temporary pried off (if it hasn't fallen off already), and have a permanent restoration put on.

Why go to the dentist a second time when you don't have to?

Here at Applegate Dentistry we use CEREC, a tooth restoration procedure that is done in a single appointment, start to finish.

The Cerec Procedure

Dr. Applegate uses CEREC's strong, tooth colored ceramic materials to restore your teeth to their natural strength, beauty, and function. These materials closely match the composition of natural tooth structure. Using metal free materials that are the closest to your natural enamel gives you the highest quality restorative care.

1

Exam and Preparation
First Dr. Applegate examines the tooth and determines the appropriate treatment. In this case let's say a crown is needed since there's not much healthy tooth structure remaining.  Next, Dr. Applegate administers an anesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is just like he would do for many other restorative techniques.

2

Optical Impression
Then, Dr. Applegate takes an Optical Impression of the prepared tooth. Instead of filling a tray with impression "goop" that you must bite into and hold in your mouth until it hardens, Dr. Applegate coats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder. A camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This whole Optical Impression process only takes a minute or two.

3

No Temporaries
The CEREC machine helps Dr. Applegate create the crown for your tooth by taking a digital picture and converting it into a 3-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen.

Dr. Applegate then uses his dental expertise to design the crown utlizing the 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, Dr. Applegate clicks a button, and the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office.

A ceramic block that matches your tooth shade is placed in the milling machine. About 10 to 20 minutes later, your all-ceramic, tooth-colored crown is finished and ready to bond in place.

Dr. Applegate tries the crown in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. It is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored with no "temporary" or return trip necessary.  All of this is done in a single appointment!