In the past ten years, the area of dental technology has seen improvements in how planning, designing, and completing restorative care is completed. One of the most in-demand advancements is CEREC technology. For Coorparoo patients, the ability to receive same-day ceramic crowns is a valuable option for functional and restorative tooth replacement without sacrificing time, clinical quality, or long-term structural support.
CEREC crowns are digitally designed, ceramic restorations, with the entire process occurring in a single appointment. Using advanced imaging technology, a computer guides the design process and then milled the final product, allowing for effective reshaping of the damaged tooth. The workflow is designed to eliminate conventional moulds, temporary crowns, and external laboratory fabrication, allowing for a practical option for patients in need of efficient and effective restorative dental care.
Why Would a Dentist Suggest Getting a Crown?
Crowns help protect and restore teeth and tissue that have lost a great bit of structure. A clinician may decide that a crown is appropriate when:
- A tooth has a big crack or break
- Past restorations have failed
- A tooth has had root canal treatment
- There is a lot of wear and tear due to grinding
- A ceramic restoration is needed for functionality and strength
- There is extensive deterioration due to decay or old fillings
A crown’s purpose is to bolster the remaining tooth structure and improve its long-term functionality. A clinical evaluation determines whether a crown is the optimal choice or if some other restorative option is preferable.
What is Involved With the CEREC Process for a One Day Crown?
A same-day CEREC crown has a digital workflow that is designed for the user’s comfort and the higher overall level of detail. The workflow normally has the following discrete steps:
- A complete clinical evaluation
- A digital scan of the affected tooth in 3D
- Computer-generated crown design (CAD)
- Milling the crown from ceramic in the clinic
- Try-in, possible adjustments, and final crown seating
Microharmony, strength, and function in occlusion are the focus of all steps. Digital scanning has the potential to replace old, far less comfortable impressions and aid accurate modelling of the teeth anatomy.
What Features Distinguish CEREC Same-Day Crowns?
CEREC crowns are known for a few things:
- individually designed digitally for specific tooth anatomy
- manufactured in one day using a high strength ceramic material
- ready to be fitted in one office visit
- digitally scanned in most cases
- tooth colored ceramic restorations with no temporary crowns needed
Considering how CEREC is a fast and effective service, and the condition fulfills the described requirements, the rest of the day can be used in differnt ways.
How do CEREC Crowns Compare with Traditional Laboratory Crowns?
CEREC vs Traditional Crowns: A Factual Comparison
| Feature | CEREC Same-Day Crown | Traditional Laboratory Crown |
| Number of Visits | One appointment | Typically two appointments |
| Impressions | Digital scan | Conventional moulds |
| Temporary Crown | Usually not required | Often required |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia |
| Fabrication | In-clinic milling | Off-site dental laboratory |
| Suitability | Case dependent | Suitable for most crown cases |
| Design Method | CAD/CAM technology | Manual and digital combination |
Both methods have their place in restorative dentistry. The decision depends on tooth structure, material requirements, and clinical objectives.
What Clinical Factors Influence Whether a CEREC Crown Is Suitable?
Not all teeth are suited for same day ceramic crowns, so an assessment is an important step. Factors Dentists evaluate include:
- Remaining tooth structure
- Size, depth, location of any cracks
- Gum health, margin stability
- Bite alignment, functional load
- Strength, suitability of ceramic
- Patient specific clinical factors
In cases where the tooth has a lot of rebuilding or needs specialized materials, the dentist may suggest a traditional laboratory crown.
What Does the Digital Workflow Involve for CEREC Restorations?
CEREC Digital Workflow Overview
| Digital Step | Purpose |
| 3D Scan | Captures precise tooth shape and bite alignment |
| Software Design | Tailors the crown to the patient’s dental anatomy |
| Milling | Creates a custom ceramic restoration in the clinic |
| Fitting | Checks for appropriate shape, bite, and comfort |
| Adhesion | Completes the placement and performs a quality check |
This workflow allows for high accuracy, so patients leave with a functional ceramic restoration the same day.
What do Australian Studies Say About CAD/CAM Technology For Crowns?
Australian dental research has assessed the lifespan of a ceramic restoration, the precision of a digital restoration and the performance of CAD CAM systems. Evidence shows that if a CAD CAM ceramic crown is made, it can have similar longevity as crowns made in a dental laboratory, depending on the clinical situation. Australian clinical guidelines recommend informed consent processes that explain the pros and cons of clinical situations and the dental treatment being proposed.
Why do patients from Coorparoo choose The Dental Cafe Camp Hill for crowns?
Patients from Coorparoo who need a same day ceramic crown along with a patient and evidence based approach will find The Dental Cafe Camp Hill a comfy place with friendly staff, purposeful and clear communications, as well as evidence based restorative care. The practice has a custom digital scanner and ceramic crown mill and integrates these with a clinical assessment to determine if a patient can have a same-day crown.
Whether you’re looking for a dentist Camp Hill or a dentist Holland Park, patients can expect and will receive a generous and friendly staff with responsive and clear communications and a fully joint restorative care tailored to their clinical situation. Because of the friendly staff, advanced equipment, and the efficiency of The Dental Cafe Camp Hill, many patients prefer to get a ceramic crown in a single visit.
References
Australian Dental Association. (2021). Dental Crowns. Ada Health.
University of Sydney. (2023). Digital Dentistry.
Government of Australia. Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2021). Overview of CAD/CAM Medical Devices.
Government of Australia. Health Direct. (2023). Dental Crowns.
FAQs
Is it possible for every cracked or damaged tooth to receive a same-day CEREC crown?
Not in every case. The decision for a CEREC restoration is made during the clinical examination, and every restoration case is approached differently considering the tooth’s structures, the patterns of the fracture, the bite force, and the materials needed.
On average, how long does a CEREC appointment take?
On average, it takes from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the situation of the tooth and the complexity of the case.
Is it true that digital scans are more accurate than conventional impressions?
Digital scans allow for more precision in capturing the anatomy of the tooth and do not use traditional impression trays. Both methods, however, can effectively achieve crown design accuracy if used properly.
What are CEREC crowns made of?
CEREC crowns are made of specially designed, high-strength, and color-matched ceramics. The materials used are decided on by the practicing dentist and are based on their assessment and selection during the crown case design.
Is it necessary to get a temporary crown for CEREC restorations done in a day?
Generally, patients do not need a temporary crown, as the crown is made and placed that same day.
How durable are crowns that are done in a day?
Studies indicate that crowns made in a single visit using CAD/CAM technology are as durable as the crowns made by hand, as long as the appropriate case and clinical factors are in place.
Disclaimer
Like any professional practice, dentistry has aspects of risk and uncertainty. For this reason, the guidance provided in this blog is for informational purposes and should not be considered as advising any specific clinical approach. We advise that a health professional be contacted to guide your specific circumstance and be included in your decisions regarding your dental health. A second opinion is also warranted in some circumstances.
All patients sign a consent form for any pictures or videos taken, and for them to be used in this manner. These images or videos are to be used as educational material, not to represent any expected outcome, as patients differ in many ways. Different patients may also have different results, including complications, losses, and other factors in the outcome of the treatment.