The traditional process for making a dental crown can take a few weeks. Your dentist has to send instructions and impressions to an outside laboratory and coordinate with them as they fabricate your restoration. That can be quite time-consuming! Thankfully, many dental offices now have access to an expedited process. With CEREC CAD/CAM instruments, same-day dental crowns are widely available! If you visit a dentist with this technology, how long will you need to wait for your restoration? This blog post explains the process.
What Is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This advanced system uses computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to create custom dental crowns right in the dental office. The purpose of CEREC is to provide patients with high-quality restorations without the need for multiple appointments, temporary crowns, or the involvement of an outside laboratory.
What Is Involved in the CEREC Process?
When you visit a dentist who offers CEREC, you can expect a streamlined experience from start to finish. Here is a breakdown of the typical steps involved in the CEREC process:
- A digital scan is taken of your mouth using a small camera. No messy manual impressions are necessary.
- Your dentist designs your crown using specialized software, customizing the shape and color to match your smile and provide you with a comfortable bite.
- The design is sent to a milling machine, which carves the crown from a single block of ceramic.
- Once the crown is ready, your dentist checks the fit, makes any necessary adjustments, and bonds it to your tooth — all in a single appointment.
How Long Will You Have to Wait?
One of the greatest advantages of CEREC crowns is the speed at which they are created. Typically, the entire process — from scanning your tooth to placing the finished crown — takes about two to three hours. You can use the waiting time to read a magazine, listen to a podcast, or simply relax.
Keep in mind, though, that in some cases, The CEREC experience might stretch into the next business day. This is particularly likely if your appointment is later in the day or unexpected complications arise during the crown creation process.
Same-day dental crowns are a convenient and effective option for many patients! Find out if your local care provider uses this remarkable technology.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Jason Tubo is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry; this is one of the most prestigious accomplishments in the field. Along with three other highly skilled dentists, he and our team provide top-quality care for the Whitinsville community. We are proud to feature CEREC technology for same-day dental crowns. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact us at 508-296-8971.