Waiting days or weeks for a dental restoration can delay your treatment and leave you relying on a temporary solution. With CEREC same-day dentistry, our dentists can design, create and place many custom restorations in a single visit.
At TLC Escondido Dental, Dr. Jorge Reyes and Dr. Catalina Madrigal use advanced CEREC technology to provide efficient, precise and natural-looking restorative care. In many cases, you can leave our office with your completed restoration the same day.
What Is CEREC Same-Day Dentistry?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a CAD/CAM system, which means it uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to create custom dental restorations in the office.
Traditional restorations may require physical impressions, a temporary restoration and a second appointment after an outside dental laboratory completes the final piece. CEREC allows our dentists to complete many of these steps during one visit by using digital scanning, three-dimensional design software and in-office milling technology.
Benefits of CEREC Technology
CEREC same-day dentistry may offer several benefits, including:
- Completion of many restorations in one appointment
- No temporary crown or restoration in many cases
- No traditional impression material for eligible treatments
- Digital design customized to your tooth and bite
- In-office milling for a more streamlined process
- High-quality, tooth-colored ceramic materials
- Fewer appointments and less time away from work or family
- A natural-looking restoration designed to blend with your smile
Not every case is appropriate for same-day treatment. Our dentists will evaluate your tooth, bite and oral health to determine whether CEREC is the right option for you.
How Does CEREC Same-Day Dentistry Work?
Examination and Treatment Planning
Your visit begins with a thorough examination. Our dentists will evaluate the condition of your tooth and determine whether a CEREC restoration can provide the support, function and appearance you need.
Preparing the Tooth
Any decayed, damaged or weakened tooth structure is carefully removed. The tooth is then shaped to create a stable foundation for the restoration.
Digital Scanning
CEREC Primescan captures detailed digital images of the prepared tooth, nearby teeth and bite. These scans are used to create a three-dimensional model without the need for traditional impression trays in many cases.
Digital Restoration Design
Our dentists use CAD software to design the restoration. The shape, contours, contact points and bite are customized to fit your mouth and complement your natural smile.
In-Office Milling
The digital design is sent to CEREC Primemill, which creates the restoration from a high-quality block of tooth-colored ceramic material. Milling time varies depending on the type of restoration and material selected.
Final Fit and Placement
Once the restoration is complete, our dentists check its fit, shape, shade and bite. Any necessary refinements are made before the restoration is bonded securely into place.
What Types of Restorations Can CEREC Create?
CEREC technology can be used to create several types of custom dental restorations, including:
- Same-day dental crowns
- Dental onlays
- Dental inlays
- Dental veneers in select cases
- Some implant restorations
- Certain dental bridge restorations, depending on the clinical situation
The type of restoration recommended will depend on the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, the location of the tooth, your bite and your cosmetic goals.
CEREC Crowns and Traditional Crowns
Both CEREC crowns and traditional laboratory-made crowns are designed to restore damaged or weakened teeth. The main difference is how and where the restoration is created.
A traditional crown often requires two visits, a temporary crown and an outside dental laboratory. A CEREC crown is digitally designed and milled in our office, allowing many patients to complete treatment in one appointment.
Some complex or highly specialized cases may still benefit from a laboratory-created restoration. Our dentists will explain which option is most appropriate for your tooth and long-term oral health.
Materials Used for CEREC Restorations
CEREC restorations are created from durable, tooth-colored ceramic materials. Our office may use materials such as zirconia or Emax based on the location of the tooth, the amount of chewing pressure, the type of restoration and your cosmetic goals.
Zirconia Restorations
Zirconia is known for strength and durability. It may be recommended for back teeth or areas that experience greater bite pressure.
Emax Restorations
Emax is a ceramic material valued for its lifelike appearance and translucency. It may be recommended when aesthetics are a primary consideration.
Our dentists will select the material that best supports the function and appearance of your restoration.
Advanced CEREC Training and Experience
Dr. Jorge Reyes and Dr. Catalina Madrigal have completed extensive continuing education in restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, CEREC and digital dentistry. Their advanced training includes CEREC Master Training and more than 100 hours of education in CEREC and digital workflows.
Our office has used CEREC same-day crown technology for approximately 10 years. Our digital system includes CEREC Primescan for detailed digital impressions and CEREC Primemill for creating custom restorations in the office.
This combination of technology, training and personalized care helps our team provide efficient treatment while maintaining close attention to fit, function and appearance.
Who May Benefit From CEREC Same-Day Dentistry?
CEREC treatment may be appropriate if you need to:
- Restore a cracked, fractured or weakened tooth
- Repair a tooth with a large cavity or failing filling
- Protect a tooth after root canal treatment
- Replace an old or damaged crown
- Restore a tooth with an inlay or onlay
- Complete an eligible dental implant restoration
- Improve the shape or appearance of a damaged tooth
- Reduce the number of appointments needed for treatment
A complete examination is necessary to determine whether a same-day restoration is appropriate for your needs.
How to Care for a CEREC Restoration
CEREC restorations should be cared for much like your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss around the restoration and attend regular dental cleanings and examinations.
Avoid chewing ice, using your teeth to open packages and other habits that can place excessive pressure on the restoration. If you grind or clench your teeth, our dentists may recommend a custom night guard.
CEREC Same-Day Dentistry FAQs
Can CEREC really complete a restoration in one visit?
Yes. CEREC allows our dentists to scan, design, mill and place many restorations during a single appointment. Some complex cases may still require a different treatment process.
How long does a CEREC appointment take?
The appointment length varies based on the tooth and type of restoration. The visit generally includes tooth preparation, digital scanning, restoration design, in-office milling and final placement.
Are CEREC crowns permanent?
Yes. CEREC crowns are permanent restorations, not temporary crowns. They are bonded to the prepared tooth and designed for long-term use with proper care.
Are CEREC restorations as strong as traditional restorations?
CEREC restorations are made from durable ceramic materials such as zirconia and Emax. The appropriate material is selected based on the tooth’s location, bite forces and treatment needs.
Do CEREC restorations look natural?
Yes. CEREC restorations are made from tooth-colored ceramic and customized to complement the shape and shade of your surrounding teeth.
Does CEREC eliminate traditional impressions?
In many cases, yes. CEREC Primescan captures detailed digital impressions, reducing or eliminating the need for traditional impression material for eligible treatments.
Can CEREC make veneers?
CEREC may be used to create veneers in select cases. The best method depends on your cosmetic goals, bite, tooth structure and the complexity of treatment.
Can CEREC be used for dental implants?
CEREC can be used to design and create certain implant restorations. Your treatment plan will depend on the implant position, healing stage and type of restoration needed.
How long do CEREC restorations last?
The lifespan of a CEREC restoration depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, habits, material and routine dental care. With proper maintenance, a restoration may provide many years of service.
How much does CEREC same-day dentistry cost?
The cost depends on the type of restoration, tooth location, material and any additional treatment needed. After your evaluation, our team will provide a personalized estimate.
Are financing options available for CEREC restorations?
Financial options may be available to help make treatment more manageable. Visit our financial options page and membership plan page to learn more.
Schedule a CEREC Same-Day Dentistry Appointment in Escondido, California
If you need a crown, onlay or another eligible restoration, CEREC technology may allow you to complete treatment in one convenient visit. Our dentists will evaluate your tooth, explain your options and determine whether same-day dentistry is right for you.
Contact TLC Escondido Dental or call 760-741-5775 today to schedule an appointment for CEREC same-day dentistry in Escondido, California.