I have about ten dental crowns. I’ve never had a problem with one of them before, but one got old and needed to be replaced. I didn’t have the money at the time and put it off. Eventually, it fell off. I had to get it replaced. My dentist suggested I get a CEREC crown. I agreed because I liked the idea of getting the crown fixed in one day. When the crown was put in, it felt too bulky, like there was a wad of bubble gum in my mouth. She didn’t think that was a big deal but did grind it down a bit. It really hasn’t helped or improved. Now my gum around the crown is red and swollen. I’m guessing this is a problem. Is that a common issue with CEREC crowns?
Laurie
Dear Laurie,
I’ll start with the CEREC thing first. No, this is not a common issue with CEREC crowns. In fact, CEREC usually does better at fitting crowns because everything is designed and milled by a computer.
Generally, the CEREC software scans the tooth and then builds the crown based on that information, but there is a way for the dentist to input information in there to aid the computer when there is not a tooth there to make that possible.
It sounds to me like your dentist is very new at CEREC and didn’t really know how to give the software the right information. In fact, I’m not sure she understands dental crowns. When she said it was no big deal if it felt big in your mouth, that was wrong. When a crown is done properly, you can’t even tell it is there.
Aside from the uncomfortableness with the size of your dental crown that is signaling something isn’t right, you’ve also got the redness on your gums signaling a problem. This crown is causing you to develop gum disease. The gums need to be treated and the crown needs to be replaced or you’re going to end up in big trouble.
I want you to go back to this dentist and tell them to fix this until you are comfortable and make sure your gums get treated. If gum disease is left untreated, then you could end up losing teeth.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.