If you have been told you need a crown, you might expect multiple appointments, a temporary crown, and a few weeks of waiting. With CEREC technology, the process works differently. In suitable cases, a CEREC crown may be designed, created and fitted in a single appointment. Appointment times vary, although the process often takes around two hours.
The Process for Getting a CEREC Crown
Here is what a typical appointment looks like.
Digital Scanning
Your dentist starts by preparing the tooth and taking a digital scan of your mouth. No messy impression trays are involved. The scan creates a detailed 3D model of your tooth, which is used to design your crown on screen right in front of you.
Milling and Fitting the Crown
Once the design is finalised, it is sent to an in-office milling machine. The crown is carved from a solid block of ceramic while you wait. After milling, your dentist checks the crown’s fit, shape, and bite. The dentist makes any minor adjustments before bonding the crown into place. In many cases, the dentist can fit the final crown during the same appointment, without a temporary crown or a separate lab visit.
Is a CEREC Crown as Strong as a Lab-Made Crown?
CEREC crowns are made from high-quality ceramic and offer comparable strength and durability to traditional lab-made crowns. The ceramic is colour-matched to blend with your surrounding teeth, so the result looks natural as well.
However, a same-day crown may not be appropriate in every situation. Your dentist will assess whether CEREC is right for you based on the tooth’s location, the amount of remaining structure, and your individual needs.
Benefits of the Single-Visit Crown Process
Beyond the convenience, skipping the temporary crown stage has practical benefits. Temporary crowns can come loose, feel uncomfortable, or allow sensitivity between appointments. With CEREC, you go from preparation to a final restoration in one sitting, which means less disruption to your daily routine and fewer days spent managing a temporary fix.
Same-Day CEREC Crowns in Highgate Hill
If you would like to find out whether a CEREC crown is appropriate for your situation, the team at Be Well Dental in Highgate Hill is happy to discuss your options.