If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, a dental crown is the most recommended procedure to repair the tooth structurally and cosmetically. Crowns can be made from various materials, from ceramic alloys to metals like aluminum or gold, and are traditionally produced in a lab.

In the past, getting a dental crown required several visits over a few weeks, starting with tooth preparation and impressions, followed by wearing a temporary crown while the permanent one was made in a lab, and finally returning for placement. Today, modern advancements have streamlined the process, often allowing for faster and more convenient treatment. To learn more about the longevity of crowns and how to care for them, visit Your Guide to How Long Tooth Crowns Last. Today, same-day dental crowns using CEREC technology allow you to complete your entire crown procedure in just one visit. This innovation provides fast, practical, and aesthetically pleasing results in hours.

Introducing CEREC

This procedure used to take several visits, with up to a month in between, for the lab to process precise colour and size measurements, produce the crown, and return it to the dental office. With Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or Ceramic Reconstruction (CEREC), this entire procedure can now be performed in a single visit that takes just a few hours. For a closer look at how this technology offers fast, reliable results without compromising quality, check out our blog CEREC Crowns: A Quick Fix When You Need It Most.

CEREC technology has transformed the way we restore damaged teeth. With CEREC, you don’t have to wait weeks or deal with temporary crowns that may fall off or feel uncomfortable. The process is designed to deliver cosmetic dental crowns made in one visit, with speed and precision you can trust. Patients enjoy same-day dental restoration using this advanced system, eliminating the need for second appointments and temporary prosthetics.

How It Works

CEREC technology offers a streamlined, fully digital solution for restoring damaged teeth. Using a small wand with a laser camera, your dentist captures a precise 3D image of the affected tooth and its surrounding structure. This digital model is then used to design a customized crown in real-time. The crown’s fit, shape, and shade can be refined on-screen to ensure it blends naturally with your smile. Unlike traditional methods, this process is completed in a single visit, making it a convenient option for patients exploring the Different Types of Dental Crowns available today. Once the model is finalized, a milling machine sculpts the ceramic crown on-site down to the micrometer. The crown can then be installed immediately.

This is how a CEREC crown works in one visit: it begins with high-resolution digital scanning, continues with computer-aided design (CAD), and finishes with a computer-aided milling (CAM) machine that creates your customized crown on the spot. There’s no need for messy impressions or long waits. And because the crown is fabricated in-house, your dentist has complete control over the shape, color, and contour, ensuring it looks natural and fits perfectly.

Lab vs. CEREC

Although CEREC technology is revolutionary, it is not perfect, and neither are lab technicians. The best indicator of the quality of a crown will ultimately be the skill and commitment of the dentist who produces it. Nevertheless, many doctors recommend that CEREC crowns only be installed in molars and rear teeth because the cosmetic quality is not as high as that of a handcrafted crown.

A precise fit is essential for long-lasting dental restorations, as even a small gap between the crown and the tooth can allow bacteria to enter and cause decay. CEREC crowns, made using advanced digital technology, have been shown to offer a more accurate fit with smaller gaps than traditionally fabricated crowns. For a closer look at how different types of restorations compare, check out our blog, Understanding Dental Solutions: Teeth Caps vs. Crowns Breakdown. Even though lab-produced crowns typically look better, it’s most important that the shape of the crown be true to the shape of the tooth itself. CEREC crowns are also often substantially less expensive than other crowns and are covered by the same insurance policies.

When choosing between lab-made crowns and one-visit dental crowns, the right option often depends on the location and aesthetic needs of the tooth. Lab-made crowns can provide slightly better translucency, making them a preferred choice for front teeth where appearance matters most. On the other hand, same-day ceramic crowns offer excellent durability, aesthetics, and convenience, especially for molars or teeth that are not as visible when smiling. For more insight on making the best choice for front teeth, visit our Comprehensive Guide to Having a Crown on a Front Tooth.

See for Yourself!

If you are interested in CEREC technology, we invite you to learn about the procedure from the doctor. Dr. Patel is a huge fan of this technology and is always eager to share his enthusiasm with his patients. In the Schaumburg Dental Studio video, you can see the machine, how it works, and the crowns it produces. By offering cosmetic dental crowns made in one visit, our team ensures patients experience less hassle and greater satisfaction from start to finish.

We invest in the latest dental technologies to ensure our patients receive the most efficient and effective care. Our CEREC same-day dental crown system is one of the many ways we help you save time without sacrificing quality. Whether you need to repair a damaged tooth, improve your smile, or restore function after decay, Dr. Patel and our skilled team are here to walk you through the process, from digital scan to final crown, all in one visit.