Same Day Crowns & Bridges in Ingram / Crafton, PA

CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) represents one of dentistry’s most significant technological advances. This CAD/CAM system allows us to design, create, and place permanent ceramic restorations in about two hours. The entire process takes place in our office, eliminating the need for traditional laboratory wait times and multiple appointments.

The technology begins with digital scanning that captures precise 3D images of your teeth, replacing uncomfortable impression materials. Advanced software then allows us to design your restoration on-screen, considering your bite, adjacent teeth, and aesthetic preferences. You can watch as we create your new tooth, providing input on shape and appearance. The design is then sent to our in-office milling unit, which carves your restoration from a solid block of high-quality ceramic.

These ceramic blocks come in various shades and translucencies to match your natural teeth perfectly. The material is incredibly strong, actually bonding with your tooth structure to create a restoration that can last decades with proper care. Unlike traditional crowns that may have metal bases, CEREC restorations are entirely ceramic, providing superior aesthetics and biocompatibility.

Your same-day crown experience begins with preparing the affected tooth. We remove any decay or damaged structure, shaping the tooth to receive the new crown. Our virtually painless anesthesia system ensures your comfort throughout this process. Unlike traditional methods that require taking impressions at this stage, we immediately scan your prepared tooth with our digital scanner.

The scanning process takes just minutes and captures incredibly detailed images of your tooth and surrounding teeth. These images appear instantly on our computer screen, where we design your custom crown. The software analyzes your bite and proposes an initial design, which we then refine to ensure a perfect fit and appearance. You’re welcome to watch and provide input during this fascinating process.

Once the design is finalized, our CEREC milling machine springs into action. In about 15 minutes, it precisely carves your crown from a solid ceramic block. We then polish and glaze the crown, sometimes adding custom coloring to match your teeth perfectly. After verifying the fit and your approval of the appearance, we permanently bond the crown to your tooth. You leave with a fully functional, beautiful restoration.

CEREC technology also enables same-day bridges for replacing one or more missing teeth. The process is similar to single crowns but involves preparing the teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors. Our digital scanning captures the entire area, including the space where teeth are missing.

The software designs a bridge that not only fills the gap aesthetically but also distributes chewing forces appropriately across the supporting teeth. The ability to see and adjust the design digitally ensures optimal function and appearance. We can modify contact points, adjust contours, and perfect the bite relationship before milling begins.

For longer bridges or cases requiring maximum strength, we may recommend our advanced zirconia materials. These can also be designed and milled in-office, though they may require a specialized glazing process. Even in these cases, you typically receive your permanent bridge the same day, eliminating the inconvenience and vulnerability of temporary bridges.