Single-Visit Crowns

Single Visit Crowns is an advanced dental process using a computer and imaging technology, called CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing), that allows crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, bridges and implant restorations to be custom fabricated in the dental office by the dentist within the duration of a single dental appointment. In the past these procedures required the use of an external dental lab to fabricate the restorations requiring the patient to wear a temporary and return later to have the restoration delivered. In our office we use CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology on the majority of our restorative dental cases allowing us to deliver treatments on the same day, without temporaries, impressions or return visits.

How it works

The CEREC process begins by taking a precise optical impression or “scan” of the patient’s teeth using a specially designed camera. The information from the scan is then used by the computer software to create a 3D virtual model of the patient’s teeth in the computer. The dentist then uses the computer to design a customized restoration specifically for the patient’s mouth.

Once the restoration is designed, the patient can relax comfortably while the computer communicates with a robotic milling machine in our in-office laboratory. The milling machine mills the customized tooth out of a solid block of high-quality porcelain chosen to blend in with your natural teeth. Minutes later the restoration is ready to be bonded into place. Because of the accuracy of this digital process, the quality and fit of these restorations is unparalleled and no temporary crown or follow-up visit are needed.

Benefits

• Time is saved. Valuable time is saved because only one trip to the dentist is needed
• No temporary crown is needed since the final restoration is made immediately.
• No messy impressions are needed! No gagging and no clean up!
  High quality results are achieved due to exceptional accuracy of the process.
• Strength! Due to advances in available materials, strength is not compromised for speed.

Experience the Difference

Both Dr. Hooper and Dr. Crow have extensive experience using this technology for over a decade. Remaining on the cutting edge of this technological revolution allows them to offer a unique and wonderful experience for every patient who needs a restoration at East Brainerd Dentistry. Dr. Hooper also spends a great deal of time travelling the country teaching this process to other dentists who need training in CEREC technology. He’s a mentor and visiting faculty member at the Scottsdale Center for restorative dentistry, where he helps other doctors receive training at that prestigious teaching facility in Scottsdale, Arizona.