If you need tooth restorations, one dentistry option you may consider is CEREC crowns. Learn about what these are and whether you are a good candidate for coronas dentales.
What Are Same-Day CEREC Crowns?
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns are high-quality, tooth-colored ceramic dental restorations that can be crafted and placed in a single visit to your dentist. To craft CEREC crowns, your provider relies on intraoral scanning and in-office milling. This helps eliminate lab waiting periods.
To create same-day dental crowns, your dentist will take 3D digital images instead of performing traditional dental impressions. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software designs the crown to the necessary specifications, and then, CEREC technology adjusts fit, carves, stains, and polishes the crown.
Same-day crowns reduce the need for temporary restorations, which saves money and time. With temporary crowns, bacteria can still gain access to the tooth because the fit won’t be as precise.
With same-day CEREC crowns, you get a precise, immediate fit right in the office. If you have an uneven bite, being able to get the crown adjusted immediately helps preserve the restoration.
One-visit crowns rely on biocompatible materials such as monolithic zirconia and veneered porcelain. These materials are strong and durable, but keep in mind that CEREC crowns are typically not as long-lasting as those made in a dental laboratory. They are appropriate options for many people, but they do have some limits.
For instance, they may not be the right option if you have severe bruxism, subgingival fractures, or inadequate tooth surface as a result of trauma or over-preparation of the tooth.
In Atlanta, same-day CEREC crowns can help you obtain the restoration you need without a long wait.
What’s the Step-by-Step Process of Getting a CEREC Crown, From Scan to Finish?
The Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics process begins with an intraoral scanner that captures hundreds of images and creates 3D digital data used to create the restoration.
CEREC technology uses the model to create the crown’s design, which your dentist can then adjust to fit your exact needs. They’ll discuss the materials and which one is the right choice for you, depending on the location of the damaged tooth. They do this right at the office computer, ensuring fit and providing the perfect bite alignment.
CAD/CAM dental crowns are then crafted from a high-quality block of material using a process called in-office milling.
The in-office milling machine takes 15–20 minutes to create your crown, which is then glazed to match your natural teeth. This look can take a little longer to achieve. Sometimes, an hour of glazing is necessary.
Your dentist will fit the crown over the damaged tooth. They’ll offer sedation options if you have dental anxiety and then prepare the tooth. Once that’s done, they’ll bond the crown into place with adhesive cement. Finally, it gets polished to leave the restoration looking its best.
Afterward, your provider will provide instructions on how to care for the restoration to extend its lifespan.
The total chair time for these procedures is between 60 and 120 minutes. You can expect a follow-up visit to see whether the restoration is providing the results you need.
What Happens During Digital Scanning and Design?
To create a same-day dental crown, 3D digital imaging is necessary. An intraoral scanner will capture images of the tooth that needs a crown, as well as all surrounding structures.
This form of 3D imaging captures impressions of your full bite that help your dentist make better placement decisions. This design then goes into the CAD machine, enabling precise anatomy.
The technology simulates the normal movement of your jaw to get an accurate look at how the restoration will function and how much pressure it will have to withstand.
One of the decisions you and your dentist will have to make concerns the material the crown will be made from. There are monolithic zirconia options made from a single piece of porcelain or layered crowns that offer even more shading customizability.
It’s essential to consider the material carefully because it will impact the types of margins and polishing the crown needs.
What Happens During Milling and Finishing?
In-office milling uses CAD/CAM machines to create your crown. Once the material has been chosen, the in-office milling machine selects the block for the restoration and uses diamond-coated burs or carbide tools to create the crown.
Wet milling is one option for glass-ceramics and composites because it keeps the material cool and prevents dust clouds. Dry milling, on the other hand, is more appropriate for zirconia and composite crowns.
If you’ve chosen a zirconia crown, it will need to be fired in a high-temperature oven to get it to its final hardness and color.
The next step will be the glazing process to make sure the crown looks natural. This is followed by polishing to keep the surface smooth. This prevents plaque buildup and can avoid damage to opposing teeth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Same-Day CEREC Crowns?
If you have any of the clinical indications for crowns, having a clear idea of whether same-day options are appropriate can help narrow your choices. Candidate suitability for CEREC crowns can include people who have:
- Cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth
- A root canal
- Cracked-tooth syndrome without active infections
- Failed large fillings
- Cosmetic needs
- Enough natural tooth structure left for a crown
Stable gum health is necessary for candidacy for CEREC crowns. These restorations are appropriate for people who need only one crown and require fast treatment. They can help prevent temporary crown problems.
If you’re in need of a replacement crown, CEREC can also be helpful because you can get the protection your tooth needs immediately.
You must also have realistic expectations of what a CEREC crown offers and how durable it will be. If you’re considering whether to get these restorations, consider these questions:
- Is having a longer but single appointment better than a number of shorter ones?
- Do you only need one crown?
- Is your gum health stable?
If the answer to those questions is “Yes,” you may be a good candidate. However, some people might not benefit most from these restorations. If you have severe bruxism, subgingival fractures, or systemic health issues that cause inflammation, you will likely need another type of crown.
What Clinical Contraindications and Failure Modes Should Be Considered?
You may not be a good candidate for same-day CEREC crowns if you have:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Immunosuppression
- Recent head or neck radiation exposure
- Bleeding disorders
These conditions can increase your risk of infections and other complications. Getting laboratory-made crowns can help prevent these issues.
It’s also important to consider whether you have enough bone and tissue in the area. If you’ve had gum disease and had some tissue removed, these crowns may not be appropriate. The same applies if you have suffered bone loss because of missing teeth. The crown won’t have the support it needs.
Some people may also experience some sensitivity or allergies related to the material or the bonding agents. If you have allergies, lab-fabricated crowns might be the better choice.
People with severe bruxism or an uneven bite that places significant pressure on the restoration will usually not benefit from CEREC crowns. It can be much easier for the crown to crack or fall out.
Which Materials Last Longest?
CEREC crown durability can depend on the exact material used for the restoration. The longevity of a porcelain crown can be between 10 and 15 years. The sturdiest of these is monolithic zirconia.
When comparing CEREC vs. traditional crowns, consider that lab-made restorations last longer. If durability is your main concern, it may be better to go the traditional route.
Crown aftercare and oral hygiene will play a role in the restoration’s longevity. To learn more about the materials and how long you can expect them to last, take a look through our resources and guides.
How Do Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate Compare?
Zirconia is stronger than lithium disilicate, making it a good choice for posterior teeth and multi-unit bridges.
Lithium disilicate, on the other hand, is adequate for single-unit crowns and conservative restorations. It is most appropriate when strength demands are lower.
Because it has higher translucency, lithium disilicate provides better aesthetics, making it a good choice for front teeth. Zirconia offers less translucency, even in the newer options.
There are differences in the bonding process as well. Lithium disilicate requires hydrofluoric acid etching and a coupling agent. Zirconia needs airborne-particle abrasion plus a primer or universal adhesive.
The wear can also differ, with lithium disilicate crowns mimicking natural teeth more effectively. Zirconia, especially if not finished correctly, can also damage opposing teeth.
What Is the Typical Timeline and Tools for Same-Day Care?
What can you expect from the timeline to get one-visit crowns? The check-in, including paperwork, can take about 10 to 15 minutes.
You will receive local anesthesia for the tooth preparation, and then, your dentist will perform the scan to obtain 3D images for the crown. All of this, plus the process of uploading the files to the CAD/CAM system, takes from 20 to 30 minutes.
While you wait, the dentist will design the crown using CAD software. They will then send the file to the in-office milling machine. This takes between 15 and 25 minutes.
Your dentist will place the crown to try the fit and make necessary adjustments. They can then finish the glazing. This takes about 15 to 25 minutes as well.
For same-day crowns, the bonding comes next. Your dentist applies the appropriate adhesive, light-cures it, and polishes the crown. That can take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Same-Day CEREC Crowns FAQs
CEREC crowns are ceramic dental crowns made in the dental office while you wait. These same-day dental crowns are made using CAD/CAM technology, and the entire appointment can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.
Candidacy for CEREC crowns includes people who need a great aesthetic outcome and those who want a speedy solution to their dental damage. People with severe bruxism or who are seeking the most durable option may be better suited to other types of dental crowns.
Your dentist will provide crown aftercare instructions to help you better manage the days after and extend the crown’s lifespan. You will typically have a follow-up appointment to check on the results.
1. Is Getting a Same-Day CEREC Crown Painful?
You will get the crown while under local anesthesia. You will not feel any pain, but you may feel pressure and vibrations as your tooth is prepared. Some people feel mild tugging. None of these sensations is painful, however. If you do feel discomfort, let your provider know.
2. How Soon Can I Eat Normally After a CEREC Crown?
You will have to wait at least two hours for the anesthetic to wear off. If not, you could end up biting your tongue or cheek while you chew because your mouth will still be numb.
It’s a good idea to chew on the opposite side of where the restoration sits for at least 24 hours. This allows the cement to fully settle. Stick to soft foods for a day, and avoid all sticky, hard, or chewy items for one to two weeks.
3. Can CEREC Crowns Be Used on Dental Implants?
Yes, CEREC crowns can be used on dental implants, but they will require very specific protocols.
If you are considering a same-day crown, Dr. Brett Langston can help you determine whether CEREC technology is the right option for your smile. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn about restorative dentistry and your options.
Spanish 
English