Imagine walking into your dentist's office with a damaged tooth and walking out the same day with a restored, beautiful smile. Thanks to advancements in dental technology, this is now a reality with CEREC crowns. These same-day crowns offer same-day dental restoration, providing convenience, efficiency, and exceptional results.
Here's what you need to know about CEREC crowns, including how they work, their benefits, and why they're the ultimate choice for modern dental restoration.
The Traditional Dental Crown Process and Its Limitations
Dental crowns are one of the most common solutions for addressing chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth. Traditionally, receiving a dental crown involves multiple steps:
- Initial Visit: Your dentist takes an impression of your tooth and sends it to an off-site laboratory.
- Temporary Crown: You'll wear a temporary crown for a few weeks while waiting for the permanent one to be crafted.
- Second Appointment: Once the crown is ready, you'll return to have it bonded to your tooth.
While effective, this process has its drawbacks. Temporary crowns can feel uncomfortable, and scheduling multiple visits can be inconvenient for those with busy schedules.
What Are CEREC Crowns and How Do They Work?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This technology allows dentists to create custom crowns, veneers, inlays, and onlays in a single visit using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology. The result is a streamlined process that lets you leave the office with a fully restored smile in just a few hours.
Here’s how CEREC works:
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Digital Scanning
Your dentist uses a specialized scanner to capture a precise 3D image of your tooth. This means no more goopy, uncomfortable impressions.
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Designing the Crown
The digital scan is sent to a computer, where your dentist designs your crown based on the size, shape, and colour of your existing teeth.
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Milling the Crown
The design is sent to a milling machine that carves your crown from a solid block of ceramic. CEREC crowns are known for their high precision and natural appearance.
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Immediate Placement
Once milled, the crown is polished, fitted, and bonded to your tooth—all in the same day.
Advantages of CEREC Crowns Over Traditional Crowns
CEREC crowns provide several advantages that set them apart from traditional crowns:
- Time-Saving and Convenient: The entire process takes place in one appointment, saving you multiple visits and the hassle of temporary crowns.
- Natural Aesthetics: Made from high-quality ceramic, CEREC crowns can be colour-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
- Enhanced Comfort: Digital scanning eliminates the need for uncomfortable moulds, while the precise fit of CEREC crowns ensures optimal comfort.
- Durability and Strength: CEREC crowns are crafted from solid ceramic blocks, making them long-lasting and resistant to wear.
- Improved Accuracy: The combination of CAD/CAM technology and digital scanning results in highly accurate restorations that fit perfectly over your tooth.
What to Expect During Your CEREC Crown Procedure?
The patient experience with CEREC crowns is designed to be as smooth and stress-free as possible. You’ll begin with an evaluation, during which your dentist explains the procedure and determines whether CEREC is right for you.
Once the treatment begins, you can expect the process to last about two hours. The actual milling of your crown takes 20–30 minutes, giving you just enough time to relax while the machine does its magic. Afterwards, your dentist will polish, fit, and bond the crown in place, leaving you with a fully restored smile.
Comparing CEREC Crowns to Traditional & Zirconia Crowns
It’s natural to wonder how CEREC crowns stack up against other options like zirconia or lab-created crowns. Here’s a quick comparison:
Traditional Crowns
- Processing Time: 2–3 weeks.
- Strength: Durable but requires metal or porcelain fusion for additional support.
- Appearance: Can be natural-looking but might have a metal base visible at the gumline.
CEREC Crowns
- Processing Time: Same-day.
- Strength: High durability due to being milled from a solid block of ceramic.
- Appearance: Fully ceramic for a natural look and seamless blending.
Zirconia Crowns
- Processing Time: Typically requires two visits.
- Strength: Exceptionally strong and resistant to fractures.
- Appearance: Can be colour-matched for a natural look, though slightly less translucent than ceramic.
At de Man & Höediono Dentistry, we offer the option of zirconia crowns for patients who need added strength, such as for molars that endure heavy chewing, or for other situations where the CEREC crowns aren’t the best fit.
The Future of Dental Technology with CEREC
CEREC isn't just a trend; it’s a glimpse into the future of dentistry. As technology evolves, we're likely to see even more advancements in chairside restorations, including expanded materials and faster milling times.
Dentistry is moving toward greater efficiency, patient comfort, and minimally invasive techniques—just like we see with CEREC. For patients, this translates to faster solutions without any compromise on quality or aesthetics.
Transform Your Smile in a Single Visit
Modern dental technology like CEREC has restorative dentistry a more efficient and more appealing process. Say goodbye to weeks of waiting for your permanent crown and walk out with a confident smile sooner than you thought possible.
If you're considering a dental restoration, visit us at de Man & Höediono Dentistry to experience the convenience and precision of CEREC crowns. Book your consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, brighter smile.