CEREC Same-Day Crowns in South Surrey: How the Technology Works
technology
A deep look at CEREC same-day crown technology — digital impressions, in-office milling, and why one visit can replace three.
A traditional crown means two or three visits, temporary crowns, and a lot of waiting. CEREC changes that by making the whole crown, from scan to seat, in a single appointment.
What CEREC actually does
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) combines three technologies:
- Digital intraoral scanning — a small wand captures a 3D image of your tooth, replacing goopy impression trays.
- CAD design — the dentist designs your crown on-screen, adjusting fit, contour, and bite in real time.
- In-office milling — a ceramic block is milled into your finished crown in about 15 minutes.
Why the digital impression matters
Traditional impressions can distort, requiring retakes. Digital scans are accurate to microns and can be reviewed instantly. That precision translates directly into a crown that fits the first time.
The material
CEREC uses tooth-coloured ceramic blocks that are milled, glazed, and bonded in a single visit. The result is durable and blends naturally with surrounding teeth.
A typical appointment
- Numbing and tooth preparation (about 30 minutes)
- Digital scan (5 minutes)
- Design (10–15 minutes)
- Milling (15–20 minutes)
- Try-in, adjustment, and bonding (30 minutes)
Total chair time is usually under two hours.
Who's a good candidate?
Most patients needing a single crown, inlay, or onlay. Complex cases involving multiple teeth or aesthetic front-tooth work may still benefit from a lab-fabricated approach.
Learn more in our CEREC same-day crowns guide, read the deeper technology explainer, or browse our dental technologies.