Are CEREC Same-Day Crowns As Durable as Crowns Made in a Dental Lab?

CEREC crowns are milled from high-strength dental ceramic, the same class of material used by most dental laboratories. Clinical research shows single-visit CEREC restorations perform comparably to traditionally fabricated crowns over a 5-to-10-year period. Proper oral hygiene and regular checkups are the most important factors in long-term crown performance.

What Types of Restorations Can CEREC Technology Produce at Your Office?

Our CEREC system produces crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single appointment. Inlays and onlays are conservative restorations used when a tooth has moderate decay or damage that a filling cannot adequately address but does not require a full crown. All three restoration types are milled from ceramic and bonded permanently the same day.

How Long Does a CEREC Appointment Take Compared to a Traditional Crown Appointment?

A CEREC appointment typically runs 90 minutes to 2 hours from exam through final bonding. A traditional crown process requires at least two appointments totaling 3 to 4 hours of chair time, plus 2 to 3 weeks of wearing a temporary crown between visits. CEREC eliminates the temporary crown entirely.

Does a CEREC Crown Look Natural or Can People Tell It Is a Restoration?

CEREC restorations are designed on-screen to match the shape and shade of your surrounding teeth. The ceramic material reflects light similarly to natural tooth enamel, making a well-placed CEREC crown difficult to distinguish from the adjacent natural teeth. Most patients and family members cannot identify which tooth was restored.

Is CEREC the Right Choice for Every Tooth That Needs a Crown?

CEREC is appropriate for most single-tooth crown, inlay, and onlay cases, including back teeth and many front teeth. Cases requiring multi-unit bridgework or full-arch reconstruction may involve additional steps. We assess each case individually and will recommend the most effective restoration approach during your consultation.

CEREC Restorations | Munster, IN | Anthony Hirschenberger

Time-Saving: All restorative steps, from tooth preparation to placing the final crown, occur in one appointment, reducing time away from work and family. No second visit is needed to cement the restoration.
Comfort: Avoid the discomfort of temporary crowns, as CEREC restorations are precisely milled and bonded the same day.
Aesthetics: The tooth-colored ceramic closely matches your natural teeth, restoring beauty, strength, and function seamlessly.
Strength: Milled ceramic restorations are stronger and more durable than traditional layered or pressed crowns, helping your smile last for years.
Versatility: CEREC technology is also used for tooth-colored ceramic fillings that are more durable than composite alternatives.

Consultation and Digital Imaging
You’ll discuss your treatment plan with Dr. Hirschenberger, who will answer all your questions. Using a special 3D imaging camera, we capture precise photographic images of your teeth.
Digital Design
CEREC’s proprietary software creates a 3D model of your prepared tooth. The restoration is custom-designed to fit your tooth’s exact shape, contour, and bite requirements.
Chairside Milling
The restoration is milled on-site from a solid block of ceramic using diamond burs. This typically takes about 15 minutes while you relax comfortably.
Fitting and Bonding
The finished restoration is carefully fitted and adjusted for perfect bite and comfort, then permanently bonded with state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.
Same-Day Permanent Restoration
Most patients leave the office with their permanent, tooth-colored ceramic crown, inlay, or onlay, with no temporary crown needed and no follow-up visit required for placement.

Are CEREC Same-Day Crowns As Durable as Crowns Made in a Dental Lab?
CEREC crowns are milled from high-strength dental ceramic, the same class of material used by most dental laboratories. Clinical research shows single-visit CEREC restorations perform comparably to traditionally fabricated crowns over a 5-to-10-year period. Proper oral hygiene and regular checkups are the most important factors in long-term crown performance.
What Types of Restorations Can CEREC Technology Produce at Your Office?
Our CEREC system produces crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single appointment. Inlays and onlays are conservative restorations used when a tooth has moderate decay or damage that a filling cannot adequately address but does not require a full crown. All three restoration types are milled from ceramic and bonded permanently the same day.
How Long Does a CEREC Appointment Take Compared to a Traditional Crown Appointment?
A CEREC appointment typically runs 90 minutes to 2 hours from exam through final bonding. A traditional crown process requires at least two appointments totaling 3 to 4 hours of chair time, plus 2 to 3 weeks of wearing a temporary crown between visits. CEREC eliminates the temporary crown entirely.
Does a CEREC Crown Look Natural or Can People Tell It Is a Restoration?
CEREC restorations are designed on-screen to match the shape and shade of your surrounding teeth. The ceramic material reflects light similarly to natural tooth enamel, making a well-placed CEREC crown difficult to distinguish from the adjacent natural teeth. Most patients and family members cannot identify which tooth was restored.
Is CEREC the Right Choice for Every Tooth That Needs a Crown?
CEREC is appropriate for most single-tooth crown, inlay, and onlay cases, including back teeth and many front teeth. Cases requiring multi-unit bridgework or full-arch reconstruction may involve additional steps. We assess each case individually and will recommend the most effective restoration approach during your consultation.