CEREC

Today, there's no need to merely imagine how nice it would be to have a dental crown fabricated in a single visit. With CEREC technology and advanced systems of care, multiple trips to the dentist are a thing of the past! Now, one appointment is all it takes for our skilled and experienced dentist to design, fabricate, and place a naturally beautiful and long-lasting same-day crown. And, best of all, unlike conventional methods of care, you won't have to endure messy dental impressions, wear a temporary crown, or wait weeks for your permanent restoration to come back from the laboratory.

Offering a level of precision and comfort that exceeds conventional methods of care, CEREC technology is nothing short of amazing! Advanced CAD/CAM technology, which stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, enables our dentist to translate images from an optically scan tooth into a 3D virtual model upon which a custom crown can be digitally designed. Once this step is done, the detailed specs are then wirelessly transmitted to a chairside 3D milling machine to fabricate your new ceramic crown while you wait!

With conventional methods of care, a dental crown can take two to three visits to fabricate and place. However, thanks to the benefits of CEREC technology, we can prepare a tooth, then design, fabricate, and place your new crown, all while you wait.

With CEREC same-day crowns, there's none of the mess of conventional dental impressions, wearing dental temporaries, or waiting for the final crown to come back from the lab. Once the prepared tooth is optically scanned and the restoration digitally designed, your new crown can be milled from the highest quality of dental ceramics that very same visit.

CEREC same-day crowns and restorations are fabricated from the highest quality of dental ceramics. Because dental porcelain reflects light in much the same way as dental enamel, your new crown will look flawless, completely natural, and blend seamlessly with your smile.

A CEREC same-day crown offers much more than a convenient approach to getting a dental crown. It is also a high quality, naturally beautiful, extremely durable, and long-lasting dental restoration! The fact is, with proper oral hygiene and routine dental care your new crown will serve your smile well for many years to come.

CEREC is a chairside CAD/CAM system that lets a clinician design, mill and place an all-ceramic restoration in a single visit. Using an intraoral scanner the dentist captures a precise 3D image of the prepared tooth, which is then translated into a digital model. Design software allows the clinician to shape contours and contacts before the restoration is milled from a ceramic block.

A high-speed milling unit carves the restoration to the exact dimensions specified in the digital design, producing a finished ceramic piece that can be adjusted and bonded the same day. This workflow reduces laboratory steps while maintaining clinical accuracy through digital planning and controlled fabrication. The result is a restoration that combines convenience with predictable fit and esthetics when executed by an experienced team.

CEREC is commonly used for single-unit crowns, inlays, onlays and certain veneer-type restorations that require precise ceramic fabrication. The system can also produce implant crowns and small bridgework in appropriate cases, depending on clinical complexity and occlusal demands. Material choices and preparation design help determine which type of restoration is best suited for a patient’s needs.

Because restorations are milled from medical-grade ceramic blocks, they offer a lifelike appearance and strong physical properties suitable for many restorative indications. Clinicians may select different ceramic formulations to balance translucency, strength and polishing characteristics for each case. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate restoration type based on tooth condition, bite relationships and aesthetic goals.

A typical CEREC appointment for a single restoration often takes a few hours from start to finish, although exact timing varies with case complexity. The visit begins with an evaluation and tooth preparation followed by a digital scan that replaces conventional impressions for many patients. The doctor then uses design software to shape the restoration while you review contours, contacts and shade on screen.

Once the design is approved, a chairside milling unit fabricates the ceramic restoration, which is then finished, polished and fitted for precise occlusion. Small adjustments can be made immediately before the restoration is permanently bonded, eliminating the need for a temporary crown in most cases. The result is a completed restoration delivered within the same appointment with immediate restoration of function and aesthetics.

Ideal candidates are patients who need single-unit restorations and who have adequate remaining tooth structure and stable bite relationships. Patients seeking a metal-free, esthetic option or who prefer to minimize multiple visits often benefit from same-day ceramic restorations. Good oral hygiene and regular dental care contribute to successful outcomes with CEREC restorations.

Certain clinical situations, such as extensive tooth loss, uncontrolled bruxism or very complex multi-unit restorations, may require alternative workflows or laboratory collaboration. Your dentist will evaluate medical history, occlusion and restorative needs to determine whether a CEREC restoration is the best choice. A personalized exam and treatment planning session will clarify candidacy and expected results before proceeding.

Modern CEREC ceramics are engineered for strength and wear resistance and can withstand normal chewing forces when properly matched to the clinical situation. Longevity depends on material selection, precise fit and how the restoration is used in the mouth. Avoiding habits such as biting hard objects and addressing grinding or clenching helps protect the restoration over time.

Daily brushing with a nonabrasive toothpaste and regular flossing around the restoration preserve both esthetics and periodontal health. Routine dental visits allow the clinician to check margins, occlusion and any signs of wear so small issues can be managed early. Following your dentist’s specific home care recommendations and attending follow-up exams contribute significantly to long-term success.

Shade selection begins with the clinician assessing surrounding teeth under controlled lighting and choosing the best ceramic block to match color and translucency. Digital tools and in-office staining or glazing techniques allow clinicians to fine-tune surface characterization and luster before final placement. Because the restoration is fitted chairside, the dentist can evaluate and refine shade and anatomy in real time for an integrated appearance.

Advanced ceramics mimic the way natural enamel reflects light, creating lifelike results when characterized correctly and polished to the proper finish. In complex esthetic cases your dentist may recommend additional layering or laboratory options, but many routine anterior and posterior restorations achieve excellent results with CEREC. Open communication about shade preferences and photographs of your natural teeth can help the team deliver a restoration that meets your expectations.

Yes, most CEREC restorations are fabricated from metal-free ceramic materials that are well tolerated by oral tissues and widely used in restorative dentistry. Ceramic restorations eliminate concerns related to metal corrosion and reduce thermal conductivity compared with metal-containing alternatives. For patients with documented metal allergies or sensitivities, ceramic options are often a favorable solution pending individual evaluation.

Biocompatibility also depends on proper bonding protocols and clean clinical technique to ensure a secure, sealed restoration. Your dentist will review your medical and dental history to confirm the best material choice and to address any allergy questions before proceeding. When placed correctly, ceramic restorations provide a stable, long-lasting option that integrates well with surrounding tissues.

CEREC is commonly used to fabricate single implant crowns and custom abutments when digital impressions and implant workflows are compatible with the clinical situation. Small-span bridges and multi-unit restorations can be possible in select cases, but they require careful planning and may involve additional laboratory or technical steps. Factors such as implant position, occlusion and the need for screw-retained versus cemented designs influence whether a chairside approach is appropriate.

Complex full-arch or long-span prosthetics often benefit from a combined digital and lab-based workflow to ensure optimal strength and passivity. Your dentist will discuss the recommended approach during treatment planning and explain when in-office milling is suitable versus when laboratory collaboration is preferable. A tailored plan ensures that implant restorations meet both functional and esthetic goals for your smile.

Digital scanning and precise milling allow clinicians to design restorations that require minimal removal of healthy tooth structure compared with more aggressive traditional techniques. Improved marginal fit and accuracy reduce the need for extensive adjustments or re-preparation, which helps preserve enamel and dentin. This conservative approach supports the long-term strength and vitality of treated teeth when combined with appropriate restorative planning.

Because designs are evaluated on-screen before milling, dentists can plan conservative margins and optimal contact points that maintain periodontal health and function. Conservative restorations also simplify future maintenance and potential repairs, making subsequent care less invasive. When preservation of natural tooth structure is a priority, a CEREC workflow offers predictable options that align with minimally invasive dentistry principles.

At Inspirational Smiles our team combines digital technology with clinical experience to provide same-day ceramic restorations tailored to each patient’s needs. You can expect a thorough evaluation, clear explanations of treatment options and the opportunity to view and approve the restoration design before milling. Our clinicians use intraoral scanning, precision milling and careful finishing to deliver restorations that restore function and aesthetics efficiently.

We speak English, Spanish and Portuguese and strive to make each visit comfortable and informative so patients understand both the procedure and aftercare. After placement you will receive personalized instructions for home care and recommended follow-up so the restoration can perform well over time. If concerns arise, our team will review the restoration and occlusion to make any necessary adjustments and support long-term success.