Your Complete Guide to CEREC® Dental Crowns

Modern dental care is constantly evolving, and no advancement captures this transformation more than CEREC technology. If you’re exploring your options for tooth restoration, you may be searching for your guide to CEREC dental crown solutions. In this article, we’ll walk you through what CEREC crowns are, why they’re making waves in digital dentistry, and how they can streamline your care at Capstone Dental.

CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.” Put simply, it is a method for creating high-quality, long-lasting dental crowns right here in our office, often in a single visit. When you choose this technology, you can forget about messy impressions, weeks of waiting for a lab, or dealing with a temporary crown that never feels quite right. At Capstone Dental, our commitment to digital workflows and CEREC technology means your journey to a beautiful, strong smile becomes easier and much more comfortable.

The Advantages of CEREC Dental Crowns

Anyone looking for beautifully restored teeth without unnecessary inconvenience will appreciate what CEREC technology has to offer. The following features are the reasons so many of our Columbus-area patients are choosing CEREC dental crowns:

• No Need for Temporary Crowns: 

With traditional methods, patients often spend weeks wearing a temporary crown that feels less secure or comfortable. By choosing CEREC, this step is unnecessary. Your custom crown is fabricated and placed in one day during a single appointment.

• One-Day Precision Dentistry

Digital dentistry makes everything seamless. Digital scans, 3D design, in-house milling, and a precise fit are all accomplished within one appointment. Your time matters to us, so we work to get you back to your day quickly and with a refreshed smile.

• Enhanced Comfort and Esthetics

CEREC crowns are created from durable porcelain blocks and shaped to match your existing teeth with impressive accuracy. Many patients notice how natural their new crowns look and feel, and they also enjoy our gentle, judgment-free approach to care that defines every Capstone visit.

• No Risk of Delays or Misfit

Because everything happens right in our dental office, with your dentist overseeing every step, the digital process reduces the risk for errors. It also eliminates laboratory delays. This ensures your crown placement is efficient and predictable.

As one patient shared:

"Got an old filling removed and replaced with a new one. The work was gentle and painless. Thanks again." (—Jordan R., Google)

Digital Dentistry Explained

CEREC technology is one of the signature features of the digital dentistry revolution. But what’s actually happening during your visit?

• Digital Scanning: Instead of dealing with messy impression trays, we use high-definition intraoral cameras and digital scanners to map your tooth quickly and with accuracy.
• CAD/CAM Design: Our dentists use computer-aided design and manufacturing to custom-design your new crown, making any needed adjustments for a perfect fit and bite alignment, often while you watch.
• In-Office Milling: Once the design is finalized, the plan goes to our in-office milling unit. Your crown is carved from a solid ceramic block, a process that is typically finished in less than half an hour.

This technology allows you to be at the center of your care. At Capstone Dental, our approach is, “State-of-the-art technology with leading-edge treatment options offers patients extraordinary results for general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry.”

CEREC crowns are not just fast; they symbolize the future of digital, patient-first care. For a broader look at how digital dentistry is changing the patient experience, check out Healthline’s guide to CEREC. 

Porcelain Dental Crowns: The Best Choice for Most Patients

When it comes to dental crown types, not all materials are created equal. Crowns created with the CEREC process use strong, biocompatible porcelain, setting them apart from metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) options.

• Superior Esthetics: Porcelain crowns offer a subtle translucency, which means they look much like natural enamel. When polished, they blend seamlessly into your smile and are hard to detect.
• Strength and Durability: The porcelain blocks used in CEREC crowns deliver excellent wear resistance. This makes them perfect for both front and back teeth.
• Biocompatibility: Patients with metal sensitivities appreciate that metal-free porcelain crowns lower the risk of allergic reactions or gum irritation.

All these benefits make CEREC porcelain crowns a great option for anyone who values strength, function, and a naturally beautiful smile.

The CEREC Crown Procedure: Step-by-Step

If you’re wondering what a visit for a CEREC crown actually entails, here’s how our process at Capstone Dental combines technology with personal, attentive care.

1. Consultation and Digital Scan

Your experience begins with a gentle, thorough examination. We use digital imaging technology, such as intraoral cameras or cone beam CT scanning (if appropriate), to create a precise 3D blueprint of your tooth. There is no need for uncomfortable impression trays.

2. Digital Crown Design

Next, we create a digital plan for your new crown using our advanced dental software. Many patients like watching as their custom crown comes together in real time. The dentist will make all fine-tuned adjustments for a great fit, a natural shade, and the best bite.

3. In-Office Milling

When your digital design is finished, we send the plan to our CEREC milling unit. Here, your porcelain crown is sculpted from a solid ceramic block, all within the span of your appointment. This step is usually complete in less than thirty minutes.

4. Expert Crown Placement

Once your new crown is ready, we try it in, make any necessary modifications, and then bond it securely. Your restoration is completed right away, and there is no need for a follow-up visit just to seat a crown or remove a temporary. Our team thoroughly checks the fit and makes sure every detail is perfect, using digital imaging for the most accurate placement.

• No Temporary and No Waiting
• With every step completed in-office at Capstone Dental, there are no worries about physical molds being damaged or lost as they travel to an outside lab. The streamlined process offers you a more comfortable experience and minimizes the risk of fit problems. Best of all, you receive a same-day result.

Patients often describe the CEREC process as “always quick and easy.” Many remark that “appointments are always quick and easy – and with the best technology” (—Katie B., Google).

Types of Dental Crowns and Your Tooth Restoration Options

Every patient is different, and there is no single solution for restorative dentistry. Comparing CEREC crowns with traditional alternatives lets you make an informed choice.

CEREC Compared to Traditional Lab Crowns

• Timeline:
  
  • CEREC crowns can be completed in a one-visit, same-day appointment.
  • Traditional crowns normally require two appointments with a gap of two to three weeks, and a temporary crown in-between.
• Reliability and Durability:
  
  • CEREC and conventional lab-made crowns have comparable longevity, often lasting a decade or more. The precision digital fit with CEREC can reduce the risk of early replacement due to discomfort or misfit.
• Aesthetic Results:
  
  • Metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cannot match the lifelike look of porcelain. With CEREC, you receive a restoration that matches your natural tooth in both function and appearance.

Other Tooth Restoration Choices

Dental crowns are an excellent option for protecting teeth that are weakened, cracked, or have large fillings. Sometimes, bridges are a better fit if you need to replace a missing tooth. In other cases, dental implants or onlays (which cover just a portion of the tooth) may be recommended. We always take time at your consultation to walk you through the best choices for your situation, ensuring your treatment plan supports your unique needs.

Real Patient Testimonials: What Our Patients Say

At Capstone Dental, our team is committed to perfection and strives to deliver outstanding results and genuine comfort at every appointment. Here’s what real patients have to say:

"Best dental experience I have ever had! …Dr. Jana is a very kind and caring individual. Her explanations of what I needed were simple and to the point. Very happy with my decision to come to Capstone!"

—Ray C., Google

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“Love Capstone Dental! I’ve been coming here for years and love it! Everyone at the practice is so nice and makes you feel like family. Practice is well kept and seems to always have new technology. Dr. Barron is amazing, great at explaining things and just makes you feel comfortable. …Definitely recommend!”

—Emily H., Google

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"I travel from Cincinnati to see Dr. Snipes and Dr. Barron, they're THAT GOOD. …I always look forward to my dental appointment at Capstone. I truly feel they are my friends as well as my providers."

—Alyse P., Google

Our reviews often highlight the speed and convenience of appointments, gentle and thorough care, and the peace of mind that comes with having state-of-the-art, patient-focused dentistry.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Crown for You

If you are looking to take advantage of digital dentistry, then CEREC crowns deliver comfort, speed, and beautiful results all in one. You can experience precise digital scanning, same-day placement, and advanced esthetic restorations without the inconvenience of traditional methods.

Our team at Capstone Dental believes that your smile deserves the very best. We customize every treatment, making sure your experience is both comfortable and expertly crafted for you. If you are ready to explore your CEREC crown options, schedule a complimentary consultation with Capstone Dental at our Columbus, Blacklick, or Hilliard offices. Discover how simple, convenient, and rewarding restoring your smile can be.

Ready to take the next step? Book your appointment online and let us help you achieve a beautifully healthy smile today.