CEREC Same-Day Crowns

A traditional dental crown usually means two appointments, a putty impression, and a couple of weeks in a temporary crown while a lab makes the final one. With CEREC, both of our Calgary offices can design, make and place an all-ceramic crown in a single visit, so you leave with your permanent crown the same day.

What Is a CEREC Crown?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a computer-aided design and milling system (CAD/CAM) that lets us make a crown in our office instead of sending an impression to an outside lab. The crown is milled from a solid block of dental ceramic, shade-matched to your natural teeth, and contains no metal.

New to crowns? Our guide What Is a Dental Crown? explains what crowns do, when you need one, and how the different materials compare.

Your Same-Day Crown Appointment, Step by Step

1. Assessment. We examine the tooth and confirm that a crown, and a CEREC crown in particular, is the right fit for it.
2. Preparing the tooth. The tooth is numbed, and decayed or damaged structure is removed to make room for the crown.
3. Digital scan. Instead of biting into a tray of putty, a small camera wand captures a 3D digital impression of your teeth. This is much easier if you have a strong gag reflex.
4. Design. Your dentist designs the crown on the chairside screen, setting its shape, size and bite, and you can see what it will look like before it is made.
5. Milling. Our in-office milling unit carves the crown from a block of ceramic in about 15 minutes.
6. Finishing and placement. The crown is stained, fired and polished to match your teeth, then bonded in place, and your bite is checked and adjusted.

Most same-day crown visits take about two hours from start to finish.

Why Patients Choose Same-Day Crowns

• One visit: no second appointment and no extra time off work.
• No temporary crown: you don't have to protect a temporary or avoid chewing on that side for weeks.
• No putty impressions: a digital scan replaces the impression tray.
• Metal-free ceramic: a biocompatible material that fits our biological approach to dentistry.
• Natural appearance: the ceramic is translucent like enamel and is shade-matched to your teeth, with no dark metal line at the gum.

What Else CEREC Can Make

The same technology is used for inlays and onlays (sometimes called partial crowns) when a tooth needs more than a filling but not a full crown, as well as for some veneers and bridges. If you have older metal crowns, we can also talk about replacing metal crowns with ceramic.

Is a Same-Day Crown Right for You?

CEREC is a good option for many crowns, but not every one. If a fracture extends below the gumline, for example, a conventional lab-made crown may be the better choice. Teeth under heavier bite force, such as some molars, may call for a different material. We'll walk you through your options and why we recommend one over another. For a balanced look at the trade-offs, read CEREC Crowns: Advantages and Disadvantages.

Crown materials are chosen with your overall health in mind. We review your needs and any material sensitivities with you before treatment, so the crown suits both your smile and your body.

Same-Day Crown FAQs

How long does a same-day crown take?

Most CEREC crown appointments take about two hours, including preparing the tooth, scanning, milling (about 15 minutes) and placement.

Do I need a temporary crown?

No. Because the crown is made and placed in the same visit, there is no temporary crown.

How do I care for a CEREC crown?

Care for it as you would a natural tooth: brush twice a day, floss daily and keep up with regular checkups and cleanings. Avoid chewing ice, hard candy or fingernails, and don't use your teeth to open packaging.

Do you offer same-day crowns at both Calgary offices?

Yes. CEREC crowns are available at both our Dorchester and Northland offices.