What is a CEREC crown?
A CEREC crown is a ceramic dental crown that is designed on a computer and milled in the dental clinic, so it can often be fitted on the same day. A crown is a cap that covers a damaged, weakened or heavily filled tooth to protect it and restore its shape.
CEREC is a chairside CAD/CAM system made by Dentsply Sirona. CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. The system combines an intraoral scanner, design software and a milling unit, and can make crowns, inlays, onlays and some other restorations in the clinic (Dentsply Sirona).
How does a same-day crown appointment work?
A same-day crown appointment at AMK Dental Clinic usually follows these steps:
- Numbing and preparation. The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, any decay or old filling is removed, and the tooth is shaped to make room for the crown.
- Digital scan. An intraoral camera takes a 3D scan of the prepared tooth, its neighbours and your bite, instead of putty impressions.
- Design. Your dentist designs the crown on screen, adjusting its shape and how it meets your other teeth.
- Milling. The design is sent to the milling unit, which shapes the crown from a solid block of ceramic.
- Finishing. Depending on the material, the crown may be polished, stained or fired in a furnace to adjust colour and strength.
- Bonding. The crown is tried in, checked for fit and bite, and bonded to the tooth.
How long does a CEREC crown take?
A CEREC crown is often completed in a single appointment of around two hours. Timing varies with the tooth, whether a core build-up is needed and the ceramic used. Traditional crowns usually need two appointments, with a temporary crown in between (healthdirect).
When is a laboratory crown still the better choice?
A laboratory-made crown is sometimes a better choice than a same-day crown. Situations where AMK Dental Clinic may recommend a laboratory crown include:
- Front teeth needing complex colour matching, where a dental technician can hand-layer porcelain to match neighbouring teeth.
- Several connected crowns or larger bridges, or treatment involving many teeth at once.
- Materials not milled in the clinic, such as gold alloy or porcelain fused to metal.
- Heavy grinding or clenching, where a particular material or design may be more suitable.
- Some implant crowns, depending on the implant system and the components needed.
- Tooth edges below the gum that are difficult to scan accurately on the day.
Your dentist will explain why one approach suits your tooth better than the other.
Same-day or laboratory crown: how do they compare?
Same-day and laboratory crowns both restore damaged teeth, and each has practical trade-offs.
| CEREC same-day crown | Laboratory crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointments | Often one | Usually two or more |
| Temporary crown | Not usually needed | Usually worn for a week or two |
| Impressions | Digital scan | Digital scan or putty impression |
| Made by | Designed and milled in the clinic | Dental technician in a laboratory |
| Materials | Ceramic blocks suited to chairside milling | Wider range, including layered porcelain, gold and metal-ceramic |
| Suited to | Many single crowns, inlays and onlays | Complex colour matching, multiple units, some implant crowns |
What are the risks of a crown?
Crowns carry risks whether they are made on the same day or by a laboratory. Preparing a tooth for a crown removes tooth structure, which cannot be replaced. The tooth may be sensitive for a while afterwards, and occasionally the nerve becomes inflamed and root canal treatment is needed.
A crown can chip, crack, loosen or come off, and the tooth underneath can still decay, particularly at the edges (healthdirect). Crowns may need replacing in the future (teeth.org.au). Good brushing, flossing and regular check-ups help your crown last.
How much does a CEREC crown cost?
The cost of a CEREC crown depends on the tooth, the material and whether other treatment, such as a build-up or root canal treatment, is needed first. AMK Dental Clinic gives you a written estimate with item numbers before treatment. Crowns are usually claimed under major dental on health fund extras cover; see fees and health funds.
Common questions
How long does a CEREC crown take?
A CEREC crown is often completed in one appointment of around two hours at AMK Dental Clinic. The time includes numbing the tooth, preparing it, taking a digital scan, designing the crown, milling it in the clinic, then finishing and bonding it. Some crowns take longer, for example if the tooth needs a build-up first or the ceramic needs extra firing or characterisation.
Is a same-day crown as strong as a lab-made crown?
A same-day CEREC crown is milled from a solid ceramic block made for dental restorations, but how well any crown performs depends on the material chosen, the tooth, your bite and habits such as grinding. For some situations, a laboratory crown in a different material may be more suitable. Your dentist will explain which option fits your tooth.
Do I need a temporary crown with CEREC?
A temporary crown is not usually needed with CEREC, because the final crown is made and fitted in the same appointment. With a traditional laboratory crown, a temporary crown is worn for a week or two while the crown is being made. If your crown cannot be completed on the day for any reason, a temporary crown will be fitted to protect the tooth.
Does my health fund cover CEREC crowns?
Crowns, including CEREC crowns, are usually claimed under major dental on health fund extras cover. How much you get back depends on your fund, your level of cover, annual limits and waiting periods. Your written estimate lists the item numbers, so you can check your cover before treatment, and HICAPS lets you claim on the day.
Can CEREC be used for things other than crowns?
Yes, the CEREC system can also be used to make inlays and onlays, which are ceramic restorations that rebuild part of a tooth rather than covering all of it. Dentsply Sirona says the system can also make veneers and some bridges. Whether a restoration is made in the clinic or by a laboratory depends on the tooth and the most suitable material.