Same-Day CEREC Crowns: How One-Visit Restorations Actually Work
technology
A closer look at same-day CEREC crowns — the digital scan, in-office milling, and why it replaces the two-week temporary crown wait.
Traditional crowns mean two visits, a goopy impression, and two weeks in a temporary. CEREC changes the workflow entirely. Here's what happens end-to-end in a single appointment.
The digital impression
Instead of a tray full of putty, a wand-sized camera captures thousands of images of your prepared tooth. The software stitches them into a 3D model on screen in under two minutes — no gagging, no retakes.
The design phase
Using your scan, we design the crown right there. The software proposes a shape based on the tooth next to it and your bite pattern; we refine the contours, contact points, and margins before sending the file to the mill.
The milling
A solid block of ceramic — colour-matched to your surrounding teeth — is loaded into an in-office milling unit. Diamond burs carve the crown in about 10 to 15 minutes while you wait (or grab a coffee).
Glazing and bonding
The milled crown is polished and briefly fired for a natural finish, then bonded to your prepared tooth. The bite is checked, adjusted, and you leave with the final restoration — no temporary, no second visit.
Why patients choose it
- One appointment instead of two
- No temporary crown to fall off
- Digital scan instead of impression material
- Metal-free ceramic that matches natural enamel
Curious whether your tooth is a candidate? Our same-day CEREC crowns guide has more, or explore all our dental treatments.