How CEREC Reduces the Number of Dental Visits for a Crown

Getting a crown usually requires at least two dental visits: One to take a mold and the second to install the restoration. A CEREC® machine allows dentists to install a long-term crown in one visit by milling a replacement tooth on the same day as the fitting visit.

CEREC®: What is it, and what does it mean for patients?

Chairside Economical Restoration of Ceramics uses special computer design and manufacturing equipment to create dental appliances such as veneers and crowns. The process allows dentists to scan the patient's teeth and upload the scan to a computer, which then mills the appliance using computer-aided manufacturing.

The crown procedure

After the dentist determines the need for a crown, the patient schedules the necessary appointments. During the typical procedure to get a standard crown, the first visit involves taking a mold of the tooth and putting in a temporary crown. The dentist then has to send an order to the lab that manufactures the crown. The wait time for the permanent crown can be up to two weeks. Once it is ready, the patient has to go back and have the temporary crown replaced.

With a CEREC® crown the procedure is much shorter. The dentist scans the teeth and uploads the scan to a computer. This digital image is then used to create a schematic for a milling machine, which mills the crown out of a ceramic block. The dentist can then immediately place the restoration in the patient's mouth. The entire appointment usually takes an hour or two, and there is no need for a second visit.

CEREC® versus normal crowns

While one might assume there is no difference between a lab-ordered crown and a CEREC® crown on the surface, there are some important points for the latter:

• Created on the same day as the dentist visit
• Aesthetically acceptable, but not as detailed as some traditional crowns
• More limited availability than traditional crowns

In addition, while traditional crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, enamel, or a mixture, the CEREC® option uses ceramic. Generally these same-day crowns are as durable as the traditional type.

Other uses for CEREC®

CEREC® technology is not only limited to crowns; it can also be used to create veneers that bond to teeth, implants, bridges, inlays, and more. Computer-aided design and manufacturing is flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of dental restorations. The process for each is generally the same as it is for a crown, allowing a dentist to offer patients convenient one-time visits when appliances need to be fabricated. It is not, however, a one-size-fits-all solution, so patients should discuss with a dentist how feasible it is for a particular restoration need.