Got Questions about CEREC Crowns? Get Answers Here!

In every industry or field, you’ll find jargon and acronyms that make sense to “insiders” but may seem mysterious or confusing to the average layperson. So, when your friend talks about their new CEREC dental crown, don’t feel bad if you don’t know what that is. Needless to say, you might have questions about it, and you’ll find some common ones with their corresponding answers in this blog post below.

What Does CEREC Stand For?

The acronym CEREC comes from the longer name Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Crowns made with this cutting-edge CAD/CAM technology don’t have to be fabricated in a dental lab over the course of a few weeks; they are crafted right in your dentist’s office on the same day as your appointment! In other words, instead of having to wear a temporary crown, which may not fit properly, and coming back for a second appointment, you can have your tooth treated and restored in just one visit.

What Are CEREC Crowns Made of?

Your CEREC crown starts as a small tooth-colored ceramic block that is placed into a milling machine. Based on the design your dentist creates on the computer screen by your chair, the machine carves a lifelike, durable crown out of the block. This material reflects light much like tooth enamel, which gives it a realistic look, and ceramic is surprisingly strong for normal oral functions. As a result, you don’t sacrifice quality for convenience for your quick tooth restorations.

How Long Does It Take to Get a CEREC Crown?

The milling machine typically takes about an hour—perhaps up to two—to fabricate one crown while you relax in your dentist’s office. Compare that to two or three weeks with dental labs! Other than avoiding a temporary crown, another major advantage of a CEREC crown is that if it requires an adjustment after fabrication, it doesn’t need to be remailed to the lab with another waiting period. It can be completed within a few minutes. By the time you leave the office, your tooth will have its long-term restoration, and you can have full confidence in your smile again.

How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?

The lifespan of your CEREC crown greatly depends on how well you maintain it. Although this restoration has the potential to last for over two decades, the average timeframe is between 10 and 15 years. As long as you brush and floss your teeth every day and continue to visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings and checkups, you should at least be able to reach this average.

 Now that you have a basic understanding of CEREC crowns, you may find yourself preferring to get one over a traditional, lab-made crown. However, not every dental office offers this type, so make sure you get the name of your friend’s dentist!

About the Practice

Creative Dental Concepts stays on top of innovative technology in the dental industry to improve patient care. We are proud to use CEREC crowns for those needing a single realistic restoration and save their time. With this system, we don’t take traditional impressions with the goopy, putty-like substance. We use a small device that fits easily and comfortably in your mouth, capturing measurements and photos to design a custom dental restoration. Would you like to learn more about CEREC crowns? Call our Syracuse dental office at 315-475-6641 or visit our website to set up an appointment.