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Restore Your Smile in Just One Visit
Get permanent dental restorations in just one visit with our advanced CEREC technology.
Modern technology has revolutionized dental restorations, eliminating the weeks of waiting and multiple appointments traditionally required for crowns and bridges. If you’re tired of dealing with temporary restorations or can’t afford to take numerous days off work, same-day dental technology offers the perfect solution. At South Hills Dental Arts, advanced CEREC technology allows us to create beautiful, permanent restorations in just one comfortable visit.
We combine 35 years of restorative dentistry experience with cutting-edge digital technology at our convenient Pittsburgh-area locations. Our comprehensive approach means you can walk in with a damaged tooth and leave the same day with a fully functional, natural-looking restoration that’s built to last decades.
What Technology Makes Same-day Restorations Possible?
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology completely transforms the traditional crown and bridge process. This sophisticated CAD/CAM system captures precise digital impressions, designs your custom restoration on-screen, and mills it from high-quality ceramic blocks right in our office.
The process begins with comfortable digital scanning that replaces messy impression materials entirely. Our advanced software then creates a 3D model of your teeth, allowing us to design your restoration while considering your bite, adjacent teeth, and aesthetic preferences. You can even watch as we design your new tooth and provide input on its appearance.
Once the design meets your approval, our in-office milling unit carves your restoration from solid ceramic blocks available in various shades and translucencies. These materials are incredibly durable and actually bond with your natural tooth structure. Unlike traditional crowns with metal bases, our all-ceramic restorations provide superior aesthetics and complete biocompatibility.
How Long Does the Same-day Crown Process Actually Take?
Your entire same-day crown experience typically takes about two hours from start to finish. We begin by numbing the area using our virtually painless anesthesia system, then carefully remove any decay and shape your tooth to receive the new crown.
Instead of taking traditional impressions, we immediately scan your prepared tooth with our digital scanner. This process takes just minutes and provides incredibly detailed images that appear instantly on our computer screen. We then design your custom crown using specialized software, refining the fit and appearance until it’s perfect.
The actual milling process takes approximately 15 minutes, during which our CEREC machine precisely carves your crown from a solid ceramic block. We then polish and glaze the restoration, sometimes adding custom coloring to match your surrounding teeth perfectly. After verifying the fit and your satisfaction with the appearance, we permanently bond the crown to your tooth.
Are Same-day Bridges Just as Effective as Traditional Ones?
Same-day bridge technology works exceptionally well for replacing one or more missing teeth, utilizing the same precise CEREC process as individual crowns. We prepare the teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors, then capture digital impressions of the entire area, including the space where teeth are missing.
Our software designs a bridge that not only fills the gap aesthetically but also properly distributes chewing forces across the supporting teeth. The ability to visualize and adjust the design digitally ensures optimal function and appearance before milling begins. We can modify contact points, adjust contours, and perfect the bite relationship with precision.
For longer spans or cases requiring maximum strength, we may recommend advanced zirconia materials, which can also be designed and milled in our office. Even with specialized glazing requirements, you typically receive your permanent bridge the same day, eliminating the vulnerability and inconvenience of temporary bridges. Crowns can strengthen teeth with large cavities when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure to support a filling.
What Materials Are Used and How Long Do They Last?
Modern CEREC ceramics rival natural teeth in both strength and beauty. We use various types of lithium disilicate and zirconia materials, each offering specific advantages for different situations. Lithium disilicate provides exceptional aesthetics with natural translucency, making it ideal for visible front teeth, while zirconia offers maximum strength for back molars that endure heavy chewing forces.
These advanced materials significantly outperform older ceramic options. Studies demonstrate that CEREC restorations achieve success rates of nearly 95% at 10 years when properly maintained. The precise fit and excellent bonding reduce the risk of decay at crown margins, a common failure point for traditional restorations.
The chemical bond between our ceramic materials and your natural tooth creates a unified structure that resists fracture. The absence of metal eliminates concerns about allergies or dark lines appearing at the gum line. All-ceramic construction also provides better temperature insulation, making these restorations more comfortable than metal alternatives.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Same-day Restorations?
Most restorative situations work well with same-day technology. Ideal candidates include patients with cracked or broken teeth, large fillings requiring upgrade to full coverage, teeth weakened by root canal treatment, cosmetic concerns about tooth shape or color, and gaps where adjacent teeth can support bridges.
However, certain complex cases may benefit from traditional laboratory work. Extensive full-mouth reconstructions, situations requiring specific artistic customization, or cases involving multiple coordinated units might be better served through our laboratory partnerships. We’ll recommend the approach that best serves your specific needs during consultation.
Before proceeding with same-day restorations, we ensure any active gum disease receives proper treatment and evaluate teeth with uncertain prognosis. We keep you fully informed about all aspects of your treatment, ensuring you feel confident in your decisions.
How Do I Care for My Same-day Restoration?
Same-day restorations require the same maintenance as traditional crowns and bridges. Maintain excellent oral hygiene with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, and keep up with regular professional cleanings and checkups to monitor your restoration’s performance.
While CEREC restorations are highly durable, certain precautions help maximize their lifespan. Avoid using your teeth as tools or chewing extremely hard objects, like ice. If you grind your teeth, a custom night guard protects your investment. With proper care, same-day restorations can provide decades of beautiful, functional service.
Before
After
Dr. Johnson placed 6 upper anterior crowns, completely restoring this patient’s severely decayed and broken smile.
Experience Same-day Dental Excellence at South Hills Dental Arts
Don’t let damaged teeth compromise your oral health or confidence any longer. At South Hills Dental Arts, we’ve served Pittsburgh communities for decades with state-of-the-art technology, including Digital Smile Design, dental lasers, and our virtually painless anesthesia system. Our four convenient locations in Upper St. Clair, Ingram / Crafton, Sewickley, and McMurray put advanced dental care right in your neighborhood.
Our comprehensive approach includes everything from same-day restorations to full-mouth reconstruction and cosmetic dentistry, all under one roof. We even offer free virtual consultations where you can send photos of your teeth from home and receive personalized treatment recommendations. Take the first step toward your perfect smile by calling (412) 725-9939 or filling out our contact form.
