If you have a cracked, weakened, heavily decayed, or otherwise damaged tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to restore its strength and function.
Traditionally, getting a dental crown required at least two appointments. Your dentist would prepare the tooth, take an impression, place a temporary crown, and send the impression to an outside dental laboratory. After the permanent crown was created, you'd return for another appointment to have it placed.
Today's dental technology has changed that process.
At Roman Dental Arts in Hackensack, NJ, CEREC® same-day crowns allow many patients to have a custom dental crown designed, created, and placed during a single visit. Using digital scanning and in-office ceramic milling technology, the practice can restore a damaged tooth without the need for a traditional temporary crown or a separate appointment for final placement.
So how do CEREC same-day crowns compare with traditional crowns, and why might you choose a same-day crown at Roman Dental Arts?
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom restoration that covers a damaged or weakened tooth.
Think of a crown as a protective cap that restores the tooth's shape, strength, and function after significant damage has occurred.
A crown may be recommended when a tooth has sustained more damage than a filling can reasonably repair but still has enough healthy structure to be restored.
Common reasons you may need a dental crown include:
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- A tooth with significant decay
- A tooth with a large filling
- A weakened tooth
- A severely worn tooth
- A tooth following root canal treatment
- A tooth that needs additional structural support
The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve the natural tooth whenever possible. At Roman Dental Arts, preserving natural tooth structure is a core part of the practice's restorative philosophy.
What Are CEREC Same-Day Crowns?
CEREC is a digital dental technology that allows dentists to create certain ceramic restorations in the dental office.
Instead of taking a traditional physical impression and sending it to an outside laboratory, your dentist can use a digital scan to create a detailed 3D model of your tooth.
The restoration is then designed digitally and fabricated using an in-office milling system.
At Roman Dental Arts, CEREC technology is used to create custom same-day crowns from durable ceramic materials. The practice combines digital scanning with in-office ceramic milling so that many patients can have their damaged tooth restored in one visit.
How Does a CEREC Same-Day Crown Work?
While every patient's treatment is different, the process generally involves several steps.
1. Your Dentist Evaluates the Tooth
First, your dentist determines whether a crown is the appropriate restoration.
Your tooth may be examined using digital X-rays, intraoral imaging, or other diagnostic technology to determine the extent of the damage and whether the tooth can be predictably restored.
If the tooth is too damaged or compromised for a crown, another treatment may be recommended.
2. The Tooth Is Prepared
If a crown is appropriate, your dentist removes damaged or weakened tooth structure and shapes the remaining tooth so the crown can fit securely.
Local anesthesia can be used to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
3. Your Tooth Is Digitally Scanned
Instead of relying on a traditional physical impression, CEREC treatment uses digital scanning technology to capture the shape of your prepared tooth and surrounding structures.
Digital impressions can be more comfortable for patients who don't enjoy having impression material in their mouths.
4. Your Crown Is Designed
The digital information is used to design your custom crown.
Your dentist can consider the shape, size, bite, and appearance of the surrounding teeth when designing the restoration.
5. Your Crown Is Milled In-Office
Once the design is complete, the restoration is fabricated using the CEREC milling system.
Because the crown is created in the dental office, there is no need to send the case to an outside laboratory for fabrication.
6. Your Crown Is Placed
After the crown has been created and evaluated for fit and appearance, your dentist can bond it to the prepared tooth.
That means you can leave your appointment with your permanent restoration in place.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns
The primary difference between the two approaches is how and where the crown is fabricated.
With a traditional crown, your dentist generally prepares the tooth and takes an impression before a dental laboratory fabricates the permanent restoration. You typically wear a temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one to be completed, then return for a second appointment.
With a CEREC same-day crown, digital technology allows the restoration to be designed and fabricated in the dental office.
This can significantly streamline the treatment process.
What Are the Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Crowns?
You May Complete Treatment in One Visit
For many eligible patients, the biggest advantage is convenience.
Instead of scheduling a preparation appointment followed by a second appointment for crown placement, CEREC technology can allow the preparation and final restoration to be completed during the same visit.
This can be especially helpful for patients with demanding work schedules, busy families, or limited availability for dental appointments.
No Temporary Crown
Traditional crown treatment typically requires a temporary crown while the permanent restoration is being fabricated.
A same-day CEREC crown eliminates the need for that temporary restoration in many cases because the permanent crown can be placed during the same appointment.
That means there's no temporary crown to protect, no temporary cement to worry about, and no need to return specifically for its replacement.
Digital Impressions
CEREC treatment uses digital scanning rather than conventional impression material.
Digital scanning can provide a detailed representation of the prepared tooth while making the impression process more comfortable for many patients.
Your Dentist Controls the Process In-House
With a traditional laboratory-fabricated crown, the restoration is created outside the dental office.
With CEREC, the restoration can be designed and fabricated in the same practice.
This allows the dental team to manage the process directly and make adjustments as needed during your appointment.
Fewer Appointments
For eligible cases, same-day crowns can reduce the number of appointments required to complete treatment.
For patients traveling to the dentist, taking time away from work, or coordinating childcare, fewer appointments can make restorative treatment considerably more convenient.
Are CEREC Crowns as Strong as Traditional Crowns?
CEREC crowns are made from dental ceramic materials designed for restorative use. The appropriate material depends on the tooth being restored, the amount of force placed on it, and other clinical considerations.
A CEREC crown isn't simply a "quick" version of a traditional crown. It is a digitally designed and professionally fabricated dental restoration.
However, not every tooth is necessarily a candidate for a same-day CEREC crown.
Your dentist will consider the location of the tooth, the extent of damage, your bite, and other factors before recommending the appropriate type of restoration.
Are CEREC Crowns Right for Every Tooth?
No. Although CEREC technology can be used for many restorative cases, your dentist still needs to determine whether it is appropriate for your particular tooth.
For example, a tooth with extensive damage may require a different type of restoration or additional treatment before a crown can be placed.
In some situations, traditional laboratory-fabricated restorations may be recommended based on the tooth's location, complexity of the case, or material requirements.
The goal isn't simply to choose the fastest treatment. It's to choose a restoration that appropriately addresses the condition of the tooth and supports your long-term oral health.
Why Might You Need a Crown in the First Place?
Understanding why your dentist recommends a crown can help you understand why treatment matters.
A damaged tooth may continue to weaken if it isn't adequately restored. Depending on the situation, cracks can progress, decay can spread, or a weakened tooth can become more vulnerable to additional damage.
Roman Dental Arts lists several common situations in which same-day crowns may be appropriate, including cracked or fractured teeth, teeth with large fillings, teeth following root canal treatment, and worn-down or weakened teeth.
Cracked or Fractured Teeth
A crack can compromise the structural integrity of a tooth. Depending on its location and severity, a crown may help protect the remaining tooth structure.
Large Fillings
A tooth with a very large filling may have less remaining natural structure to support normal chewing forces. A crown can provide additional structural support when a filling alone is no longer sufficient.
After Root Canal Treatment
A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment may require a crown to restore its strength and function, depending on the tooth and amount of remaining structure.
Worn or Weakened Teeth
Teeth that have experienced significant wear or structural damage may benefit from a crown when there isn't enough healthy structure remaining for a more conservative restoration.
Your dentist will evaluate the individual tooth before determining whether a crown is appropriate.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns: Which Is Better?
It's more useful to think about these as different ways of creating and placing a crown rather than assuming one approach is universally better.
CEREC same-day crowns offer significant advantages in convenience and efficiency. Traditional laboratory-fabricated crowns remain an important option and may be appropriate for certain cases.
The best choice depends on your tooth, your oral health, the location of the tooth, your bite, the restoration needed, and the materials that are appropriate for your case.
Your dentist can explain why a particular crown type is recommended and whether same-day treatment is an option.
How Long Does a CEREC Crown Appointment Take?
One of the primary benefits of CEREC technology is that the restoration can be completed during one visit rather than requiring a separate appointment for final crown placement.
However, the exact appointment length depends on the tooth being treated, the amount of preparation required, your individual anatomy, and other factors.
Your dental team can give you a more specific estimate before treatment.
Caring for Your CEREC Crown
A CEREC crown should be cared for much like your natural teeth.
Continue to:
- Brush twice a day
- Clean between your teeth daily
- Visit your dentist for regular preventive care
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard non-food objects
- Follow any specific recommendations from your dental team
Although a crown replaces or protects damaged tooth structure, the tooth and surrounding gums still require regular care.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns in Hackensack, NJ
If you have a cracked, weakened, worn, or heavily restored tooth, a dental crown may help restore its strength and function.
At Roman Dental Arts in Hackensack, NJ, Dr. Donald Roman and Dr. Alissa Roman use advanced technology, including digital scanning and CEREC® same-day crown technology, to provide efficient, precise restorative care. For eligible patients, a CEREC crown can be designed, fabricated, and placed during a single visit—without a temporary crown or a separate appointment for final placement.
Roman Dental Arts takes a comprehensive approach to restorative dentistry, preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible and using modern technology to create comfortable, natural-looking restorations.
If you're looking for CEREC same-day crowns in Hackensack, NJ, schedule a consultation with Roman Dental Arts. Your restorative dentist can evaluate your tooth, explain your treatment options, and determine whether a same-day crown is right for your smile.
