Dental Crowns in Okotoks: Same-Day CEREC Crowns, Lab-Made Crowns and How to Choose

A crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth so you can bite on it again without worrying. It is one of the most common restorations in dentistry, and for patients in Okotoks it now comes in two forms: a same-day CEREC crown made in the clinic while you wait, or a lab-made crown fitted over two visits. Okotoks Family Dental Care on Elma Street offers both. This article explains when a crown is needed, how each option works and how we help you choose.

When a tooth needs a crown

A filling repairs a small area of a tooth. A crown is used when too much of the tooth is missing or weakened for a filling to hold. The situations we see most often in Okotoks include:

• A tooth that has cracked, worn down or broken

• A tooth that needs strengthening after root canal therapy

• A large or failing filling that has to be replaced

• A tooth that is discoloured or misshapen and affects how the smile looks

An examination and an X-ray tell us whether the tooth can be saved with a crown, or whether another treatment is a better fit. If a crown is the right call, the next question is which kind.

Same-day CEREC crowns: one visit, no temporary

How the visit goes

CEREC is a system that designs and mills a ceramic crown in the clinic. The appointment starts the same way as any crown: the tooth is numbed, decay or old filling material is removed and the tooth is shaped. Instead of a tray of impression material, we take a digital scan of the tooth and the teeth around it, which builds a 3D model on screen.

The crown is designed from that model, then milled from a block of ceramic in the clinic. The shade is matched to the teeth beside it. Once it is checked for fit and bite, it is bonded in place. Preparation, design, milling and placement all happen in a single visit, so there is no temporary crown and no second appointment for fitting.

Who it suits

Same-day crowns suit many single back teeth and front teeth where a ceramic restoration gives the strength and appearance needed. They also suit people who find it hard to get away from work or the farm for two separate visits, or who would rather not spend a couple of weeks with a temporary crown that can loosen.

Lab-made crowns: when two visits are the better fit

Some cases are better served by a crown made in a dental laboratory. The first visit prepares the tooth and records the scan or impression, and a temporary crown protects the tooth while the lab builds the final one. At the second visit, usually a couple of weeks later, the temporary comes off and the final crown is cemented.

We may suggest a lab-made crown when a different material is needed for the bite, when several teeth are being restored together or when the shape of the tooth makes a milled crown a poor match. Neither option is better in every situation. At your consultation we explain which one fits your tooth and why, and you decide.

What to expect afterwards

Your mouth stays numb for a few hours after either type of crown, so wait to eat until feeling returns. The tooth and gum can feel tender for a few days, and the bite may feel slightly different until you get used to it. If the crown feels high when you bite, let us know, because a small adjustment usually fixes it.

A crown is cared for like a natural tooth: brush twice a day, floss around it daily and keep up regular hygiene visits at Okotoks Family Dental Care so the edge of the crown and the tooth underneath are checked. Avoid chewing ice or very hard candy on the crowned tooth.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a crown hurt?

The tooth is numbed before any shaping starts, so you feel pressure rather than pain. For patients who are anxious about dental work, the clinic also offers sedation options, which can be discussed at the consultation.

How long does a crown last?

Many crowns last for years with good home care and regular check-ups. How long depends on the material, the tooth, how hard you bite and how well the gum around it is kept healthy. No one can promise a fixed lifespan, but regular visits let us catch wear early.

Is a same-day crown covered by my dental plan?

Most plans treat a crown the same way whether it is milled in the clinic or made in a lab, and coverage depends on your plan's rules. We give you a written estimate before treatment starts so you can check with your insurer, and the clinic accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

If you have a cracked tooth, a large old filling or a tooth that needs protecting after a root canal, book a consultation at Okotoks Family Dental Care, 121 Elma Street in Okotoks, or call (403) 938-0911.

Clinical review: Dr. Kenneth Stairs, Okotoks Family Dental Care. This article is general information and does not replace an examination.