Cosmetic Dentistry |4 min read

CEREC Crowns: The Ultimate Guide For You

Text reading, your new smile in just one day! We know life can get busy.

We know life gets busy. Fixing your smile may not be your top priority when you feel like the process will take way too long and get in the way of your to-do list!

Well, we have the perfect solution for you.

With advanced dental technology, you can have a beautiful new crown in just one visit. CEREC’s same-day crowns are the optimal way of treating smile imperfections, and you’ll get high-quality results in one single visit.

In this blog, we’ll be answering the top questions you may have about CEREC crowns, the procedure, costs, and more.

What are CEREC crowns?

CEREC… This text opens a new tab … stands for “Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.” It combines modern design technology, dental craftsmanship, and computer-assisted manufacturing to create custom-sized dental crowns to fix your teeth in a single appointment.

CEREC dental crowns are the same-day solution for a:

  • Broken tooth
  • Tooth decay
  • Root canals
  • Smile imperfection

It’s a protective covering for your teeth and improves their:

  • Shape
  • Strength
  • Appearance

They have the same function as traditional dental crowns do, to repair damaged or weakened teeth.

What material are CEREC crowns made of?

CEREC technology uses a solid ceramic material to create excellent quality crowns that look natural.

A single block of porcelain is milled based on the digital impression your dentist takes and is created to fit your tooth perfectly, allowing you to eat, laugh, and smile with confidence again.

CEREC crowns vs. traditional dental crowns

A dental crown restores your tooth’s appearance and function.

Both procedures will consist of x-rays and modifying your damaged tooth to fit your new crown, but the similarities end there.

A traditional dental crown requires:

  • Multiple appointments
  • Manual impressions with a putty (think goopy mess!)
  • Dental labs to make the crown
  • Two weeks to build
  • Wearing a temporary crown made from acrylic

On the other hand, CEREC:

  • Uses an intraoral scanner to create a digital impression
  • Sends impression to CAD/CAM software machine and creates a digital tooth restoration
  • Has a milling machine that uses digital restoration to build a crown out of a ceramic block
  • Allows the dentist to shade match and bond to your tooth in one visit
  • Preserves more natural tooth structure

The “same day” slogan you keep seeing repeatedly isn’t just a slogan – the process really does take one day.

The intraoral camera provides 3D digital images of your tooth, and after the crown is designed – the sophisticated milling machine creates your crown in just minutes.

They are similar in cost.

But:

You may pay less with CEREC treatment because of the single visit. You also get your permanent crown right away, eliminating the hassle of waiting weeks for the lab to finish it!

Saving time and money are some of the top perks, but our favorite one is that CEREC crowns are more precise than traditional lab-made ones. Digital imaging technology creates an exact replication of your tooth and fits easily into your mouth.

Text: Save Time, Save Money, Comfort, Appearance

How do I take care of my CEREC crown?

Maintaining proper oral hygiene and care for your teeth is still important, even with a brand new crown! Your newly crowned teeth may be a bit sensitive for a few days after the procedure.

It’s important to avoid chewy or sticky food right after the crown has been placed. After a few days, you’ll experience reduced hot and cold sensitivity to food, allowing you to resume eating your favorite meals again.

Excellent dental care will extend your crown’s life. To optimize your crown’s lifetime:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Floss once a day
  • Visit your dentist every six months

CEREC crowns can last anywhere between 10 to 15 years.

How much does a CEREC crown cost?

CEREC crowns typically cost around $500 to $1,500 and may partially be covered by insurance. They’re generally similar in cost to traditional crowns but can end up saving you more money in the long run since you won’t have to pay for multiple visits.

The cost depends on several factors, including:

  • Number of dental crowns you need
  • Geographic location
  • A dentist’s expertise and training

Dental crowns are an investment that’ll last you years when done by trained dentists using high-quality materials.

Where can I get CEREC crowns in Tukwila, WA?

We’re proud to say Benca Dentistry offers quality CEREC same-day crowns for our patients! Every patient is unique, so make sure you schedule an appointment to talk to us about which option would work best for you.

In addition to years of advancing our dental techniques, we also have a completely digital office that’s COVID-19 safe and offers cutting-edge technology.

Schedule your appointment today!

We serve patients in Tukwila, WA, and welcome new patients in the neighboring communities, including Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and New Castle.