CEREC vs 3D Printing: Two Digital Tools, Two Different Jobs
dentaltechnology
Both CEREC and 3D printing are digital, in-house, and same-visit — but they solve different problems. Here's how milling and printing compare in modern dentistry.
Patients often ask if CEREC crowns and 3D printing are the same thing. They're both part of the digital shift in dentistry, but the technology — and what each is best at — is quite different.
Milling vs. printing at a glance
CEREC uses subtractive manufacturing: a solid ceramic block is milled down into a crown. 3D printing is additive: an appliance is built up layer by layer from liquid resin.
Where CEREC shines
CEREC is designed for strong, tooth-colored restorations that need to withstand a lifetime of chewing:
- Same-day crowns milled from ceramic in a single visit
- Onlays and inlays for larger fillings
- Highly polished, natural-looking finish ready to cement the same day
For a deeper look, see our guide to same-day CEREC crowns.
Where 3D printing shines
3D printing is ideal for parts that don't need to survive years of chewing forces, or that benefit from complex custom geometry:
- Digital study models
- Custom night guards
- Patient-specific surgical guides for implant placement
- Flippers, temporary teeth, and immediate dentures
Why we use both
Using only one would mean compromising on the other's strengths. A patient getting an implant, for example, might benefit from a 3D printed surgical guide during placement and a CEREC crown on top once healed. Both keep care in-house, both start from the same digital scan, and both cut down on outside lab wait times.
The common thread: a digital workflow
Regardless of whether we mill or print, the workflow starts the same way — a quick digital scan replaces goopy impressions, and the design is refined on screen before anything is fabricated. You can see the technology we use across the office.
Wondering which one fits your treatment? Contact our South Surrey office and we'll walk you through the options.