When you need to replace a missing tooth, a dental bridge can reliably restore your bite and smile, while preventing neighboring teeth from shifting out of alignment. However, the process of getting a dental bridge does involve some considerations. The most significant of these are the way in which your bridge is made and the time and effort demanded of you.
Traditionally, getting a dental bridge has involved multiple appointments for mapping, design, fitting, and placement, spaced out over multiple weeks. CEREC® technology offers a more streamlined process, while traditional bridges remain a reliable option for many patients, but in real-time.
What Makes CEREC Bridges Different?
Traditional dental bridges typically require impressions, a temporary restoration, and fabrication at an outside dental laboratory. Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEREC, technology uses digital impressions and computer-aided design to make the process more efficient and comfortable. With CEREC, your dentist digitally captures information about your bite precisely and immediately, rather than relying on messy and imprecise impression materials. Then, while you wait, the restoration is designed with computer-assisted technology for a precise fit.
It is worth noting that, to be effective, a bridge needs strong teeth surrounding it for support. In cases where the proper support is unavailable, your dentist may recommend a dental implant or another tooth replacement option.
“Same-Day” Bridges
Despite their name, CEREC bridges aren't necessarily completed in a single appointment. Because bridges contain multiple connected components, the practice may still send the digital specifications to a lab for fabrication. Generally, however, the completed bridges are ready within just a few days.
CEREC vs. Traditional Bridges: What Should You Choose?
The biggest advantage of CEREC technology is efficiency. Digital impressions simplify the design process, and patients may spend less time dealing with temporary restorations and additional steps and appointments. Of course, traditional bridges also provide excellent results. The choice isn't simply about which technology is newer, or even faster. Your dentist must consider the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), the condition of the neighboring teeth, and the patient’s specific bite structure and overall oral health.
Discover CEREC Same-Day Dental Bridges in Northborough, MA
If you're considering CEREC Same-Day Dental Bridges in Northborough, MA, for effective and efficient tooth replacement, contact Dr. Alexander J. Moheban and the friendly, knowledgeable Northborough Family Dental team to schedule an examination and consultation.