CEREC

Today, there's no need to merely imagine how nice it would be to have a dental crown fabricated in a single visit. With CEREC technology and advanced systems of care, multiple trips to the dentist are a thing of the past! Now, one appointment is all it takes for our skilled and experienced dentist to design, fabricate, and place a naturally beautiful and long-lasting same-day crown. And, best of all, unlike conventional methods of care, you won't have to endure messy dental impressions, wear a temporary crown, or wait weeks for your permanent restoration to come back from the laboratory.

Offering a level of precision and comfort that exceeds conventional methods of care, CEREC technology is nothing short of amazing! Advanced CAD/CAM technology, which stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, enables our dentist to translate images from an optically scan tooth into a 3D virtual model upon which a custom crown can be digitally designed. Once this step is done, the detailed specs are then wirelessly transmitted to a chairside 3D milling machine to fabricate your new ceramic crown while you wait!

With conventional methods of care, a dental crown can take two to three visits to fabricate and place. However, thanks to the benefits of CEREC technology, we can prepare a tooth, then design, fabricate, and place your new crown, all while you wait.

With CEREC same-day crowns, there's none of the mess of conventional dental impressions, wearing dental temporaries, or waiting for the final crown to come back from the lab. Once the prepared tooth is optically scanned and the restoration digitally designed, your new crown can be milled from the highest quality of dental ceramics that very same visit.

CEREC same-day crowns and restorations are fabricated from the highest quality of dental ceramics. Because dental porcelain reflects light in much the same way as dental enamel, your new crown will look flawless, completely natural, and blend seamlessly with your smile.

A CEREC same-day crown offers much more than a convenient approach to getting a dental crown. It is also a high quality, naturally beautiful, extremely durable, and long-lasting dental restoration! The fact is, with proper oral hygiene and routine dental care your new crown will serve your smile well for many years to come.

CEREC is a chairside digital system that combines intraoral scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to create ceramic dental restorations in a single visit. The process begins with a digital scan of the prepared tooth and surrounding bite, which is translated into a 3-D design on specialized software. That design is then sent to an in-office milling unit that fabricates the restoration from a solid ceramic block.

Because the entire workflow happens in the same clinical setting, dentists can control fit, contacts and aesthetics in real time and make immediate adjustments before final bonding. Digital records of the restoration are stored electronically, which streamlines follow-up care and possible future replication. For many patients, this integrated approach reduces appointments while maintaining clinical oversight throughout each step.

CEREC is most commonly used to fabricate crowns, inlays and onlays, and in many practices it can also produce veneers and small bridges depending on case complexity. The system excels at single-unit posterior and anterior restorations where a precise fit and natural appearance are priorities. Crowns made with CEREC restore form and function, while inlays and onlays preserve more natural tooth structure compared with full-coverage alternatives.

Selection of a CEREC restoration depends on the clinical goals, the amount of remaining tooth structure and the occlusal forces present. Larger multi-unit or highly complex cosmetic cases may still benefit from traditional laboratory collaboration, but many common restorative needs can be completed efficiently with the chairside workflow. Your dentist will evaluate which type of restoration best balances conservation, strength and appearance.

A typical CEREC appointment is completed in a single visit and the total time reflects the case complexity and any preparatory steps required. For straightforward single crowns or onlays the visit often includes evaluation, tooth preparation, digital scanning, in-office design and milling, finishing, and adhesive placement, all performed consecutively. Patients should expect a longer single appointment compared with a routine checkup, but the approach eliminates the need for a temporary restoration and a separate delivery visit.

Actual chair time varies by case and by whether additional procedures such as endodontic treatment or periodontal work are involved. Because the team controls design and finishing on-site, many finishing adjustments that might otherwise require a separate lab appointment are completed immediately. The result is a predictable, consolidated treatment timeline for suitable cases.

CEREC restorations are fabricated from high-quality dental ceramics that offer favorable strength and wear characteristics when properly selected and bonded. Material choice, conservative tooth preparation, and precise adhesive protocols all contribute to long-term stability and performance. Clinical outcomes depend on appropriate case selection, occlusal management and routine maintenance, just as with laboratory-made restorations.

Modern ceramic blocks used with chairside milling are engineered for clinical durability and can perform well under normal masticatory forces when bonded correctly. In situations involving heavy bruxism, extensive structural loss, or multi-unit restorations, the dentist may recommend alternative approaches tailored to those higher demands. Regular dental exams help monitor restorations and address any concerns early to extend service life.

CEREC restorations are typically milled from high-strength dental ceramics that mimic the optical and mechanical properties of natural tooth structure. Common options include glass ceramics and lithium disilicate blocks, which offer excellent translucency and esthetic blending, and higher-strength ceramic materials appropriate for posterior load-bearing situations. Material selection balances aesthetic goals, fracture resistance and the need to preserve remaining tooth structure.

The chosen ceramic influences polishing, glazing and bonding protocols, so the clinician selects the material that best fits the clinical scenario and long-term goals. Proper finishing and adhesive technique are essential to achieve a seamless margin and durable bond. Discussing material options with your dentist helps ensure the restoration meets both functional and cosmetic expectations.

Shade matching in a CEREC workflow begins with digital and visual assessment of adjacent teeth, followed by careful selection of block shade and translucency during the design phase. Because restoration fabrication occurs on-site, clinicians can evaluate the milled piece in the mouth and perform staining, glazing or polishing to refine color and surface texture. This immediate feedback loop allows for subtle, personalized adjustments that help the restoration blend with surrounding teeth.

Final esthetic integration depends on both the selected ceramic and the finishing techniques applied by the dental team. Glazing or surface tinting can be completed before placement, and additional characterization may be added chairside to harmonize translucency and surface anatomy. The ability to fine-tune the restoration during the appointment improves the likelihood of a pleasing cosmetic outcome.

Many patients find intraoral scanning more comfortable than conventional impression trays because the process avoids bulky materials and gag-inducing techniques. The scanner uses a small handheld wand to capture multiple images that the software stitches into a detailed 3-D model of the prepared tooth and occlusion. Scans are fast and eliminate the need for messy impression materials, which can reduce anxiety for patients with strong gag reflexes or claustrophobic sensations.

While scanning is widely comfortable, certain anatomical or access challenges can require retraction or multiple passes to capture precise margins. The dental team will take care to make the experience as gentle as possible and to verify scan accuracy before proceeding with design and milling. Overall, digital impressions offer a patient-friendly alternative that supports precise restorative outcomes.

Good candidates for CEREC restorations include patients who need single-unit crowns, inlays or onlays and who desire a streamlined, same-day treatment option. Adequate remaining tooth structure, healthy surrounding tissues and manageable occlusal forces are favorable factors for chairside ceramic restorations. Patients with complex medical histories or extensive full-mouth restorative needs may require a more comprehensive treatment plan that involves staged appointments or laboratory collaboration.

The dentist evaluates each case individually, considering factors such as tooth position, bite dynamics and aesthetic goals before recommending CEREC. In some situations, such as when multiple adjacent units or specialized shading are required, traditional lab-fabricated restorations may still be advised. A thorough consultation clarifies whether the CEREC approach aligns with clinical needs and patient expectations.

At ProSmiles OC, a typical CEREC visit begins with a focused evaluation and discussion of your goals, followed by conservative tooth preparation and a digital scan of the site and bite. The dentist then designs the restoration using CAD software, mills the piece from a ceramic block in the operatory, and completes finishing and polishing before adhesive placement. Because the entire workflow is performed in-office, you can leave the appointment with a finished restoration bonded in place.

Throughout the visit the clinical team performs quality checks on fit, contacts and occlusion to ensure the restoration integrates smoothly with your bite. You will receive post-placement instructions addressing chewing, oral hygiene and follow-up monitoring. If any adjustments are needed, they can typically be made immediately during the same appointment to optimize comfort and function.

After placement, routine home care for a CEREC restoration mirrors care for natural teeth and includes regular brushing with a nonabrasive toothpaste and daily flossing to maintain healthy margins. Avoiding prolonged habits such as chewing ice, hard candies or using teeth as tools helps prevent undue stress on the restoration. If you have a history of grinding or clenching, your dentist may discuss protective measures such as an occlusal guard to reduce wear and risk of fracture.

Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings allow your dentist to monitor the restoration’s margins, contacts and occlusion and to address any minor adjustments early. Polishing or resurfacing may be performed chairside over the years to refresh glaze or surface texture if needed. With attentive home care and periodic professional evaluation, ceramic restorations can remain functional and esthetic for many years.