CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. CEREC dental crowns are permanent crowns made of durable ceramic material and are most often designed, manufactured, and applied to the tooth in a single visit to the dentist.

How CEREC Technology Works

Like traditional dental crowns, CEREC crowns can serve multiple purposes. They’re used in both restorative and cosmetic dental procedures, allowing dentists to provide patients with a beautiful and durable permanent solution for a cracked or damaged tooth. They can also be used after a root canal procedure or to hold a dental bridge in place.

The CEREC system is designed to enable dentists to design and create high-strength permanent crowns on-site at a dental office in a single appointment.

First, your dentist will use computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to capture images and create a digital model of the teeth. Using the images captured from a special type of intraoral camera, your dentist can design and fit the crown.

An on-site milling machine will then manufacture the crown from a ceramic block and shade the crown to match your natural teeth. This can take anywhere from several minutes to half an hour. Once ready, your dentist will test the fit of the crown, polish or glaze it, and cement it onto the prepared tooth.

Learn More About Traditional Dental Crowns

The Benefits of the CEREC System

The CEREC system offers strong, beautiful tooth restorations that can be an important part of an oral health treatment plan.

Same-Day Crowns

Unlike traditional dental crowns, most dental clinics offering CEREC dental crowns can provide you with same-day crowns. With traditional crowns, the teeth are shaved down to fit the crown, and a temporary crown is placed in the mouth while you wait for the permanent crowns to be designed and manufactured in a dental laboratory. However, CEREC crowns allow you to avoid these steps entirely. This means fewer trips to the dentist.

Strength

Despite that they are created quickly in a dental office, CEREC crowns are extremely durable. They are made entirely from a strong ceramic material. These crowns can often last longer compared to traditional crowns.

Aesthetics

Many people choose CEREC crowns for their aesthetic qualities. Traditional crowns are usually held in place by a layer of metal under the ceramic, which can show through around the gum line. Comparatively, CEREC crowns are made entirely of ceramic material, which means the crowns often look more natural in the mouth.

Cost

The cost of CEREC crowns is similar to traditional dental crowns, varying slightly upwards depending on your specific situation and the dental clinic you select. Although they may cost more upfront, the added strength and beauty are often viewed by patients as benefits that are worth the extra money spent.

Find a Dentist Offering CEREC Crowns

Many of the dentists in the 123Dentists network of dental professionals are able to offer CEREC crown technology to their patients. Search our network to find a dentist near you with the CEREC system.