Practice News

Same Day Crowns, Same Day Smile

Chipped, broken, or damaged teeth typically require crowns, partial crowns, or some other kind of restoration work. And while it’s important to repair these conditions, most people would rather not have to undergo the multiple dental visits normally required to get the work done. But now, thanks to a cutting-edge technology called CEREC, Dr. Machen can perform single tooth restorations, crowns, and partial crowns in just one visit—and often in just one hour!

While the turnaround is short, the list of benefits is long: it’s minimally invasive, preserves a maximum amount of natural tooth structure, and results in a stronger, natural looking, healthier tooth. How? First, a state-of-the-art optical camera takes a tremendously detailed visual impression of the patient’s mouth. Next, Dr. Machen uses the impression in conjunction with computer-aided design to create a restoration piece according to the precise dimensions and color required. Following these specifications, the equipment actually fabricates the piece from a specialized ceramic material so as to perfectly match the patient’s other natural teeth. Finally, Dr. Machen simply bonds the piece into place, resulting in a beautiful new smile. And because of the chair-side computer screen, Dr. Machen can point out exactly what he’s doing and why, so that the patient is entirely comfortable with the entire procedure.