The short answer: a same-day CEREC crown is a ceramic crown designed from a digital scan and milled in the practice, so a damaged or heavily filled tooth may be restored in a single visit. Whether it may suit you depends on the tooth, your bite and your goals, and it is confirmed after an examination.
This guide is written for people in Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Werribee and nearby suburbs who are weighing up their crown options.
- What it is: a ceramic crown designed on screen from a 3D scan and milled on site.
- Who it may suit: people with a cracked, broken, worn or heavily filled tooth that needs more than a filling.
- What to weigh up: a longer appointment, the benefits and risks, the alternatives and the cost.
- First step: an examination and X-rays so your dentist can recommend the right option for the tooth.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance. Dentists may suggest one when a tooth is cracked, broken, worn, heavily filled or has had root canal treatment. Traditional crowns are made in a dental laboratory from impressions, which usually means two visits and a temporary crown in between. You can read about the different types on our crowns and bridges page.
What makes a crown “same day”?
CEREC is a CAD/CAM system, which stands for computer aided design and manufacturing. Instead of taking a physical impression, your dentist takes a digital scan of the prepared tooth. The crown is designed on screen and milled from a ceramic block in the practice, then fitted, usually in the same appointment. Our same-day CEREC crowns page has more detail on the technology.
Who may be suitable?
A same-day crown may be worth discussing if you have:
- a cracked or broken tooth
- a large old filling that is failing
- a worn tooth that needs protection
- a tooth that has had root canal treatment and needs covering
- limited time and would prefer to avoid a second visit
It may not be the right choice if very little healthy tooth remains, if you grind your teeth heavily, or if a particular shade or shape is needed that a laboratory can better provide. Your dentist will explain which option may suit your tooth.
What to expect at your first appointment
- A conversation. We ask about your symptoms, your goals and your health. You can complete our medical history form beforehand.
- An examination and X-rays. We check the tooth, your gums and your bite. Our digital X-rays help us see what lies beneath the surface.
- Your options. We explain whether a same-day crown, a laboratory crown or another approach may suit you, including the risks, benefits and costs.
- A written plan. You receive a treatment plan and an itemised estimate so you can decide in your own time.
How a same-day crown visit may unfold
- Assess: your dentist confirms the tooth is suitable.
- Prepare: under local anaesthetic, the damaged or decayed part of the tooth is removed and the tooth is shaped.
- Scan: a small intraoral camera captures a 3D digital image of the tooth.
- Design and mill: the crown is designed on screen and milled from a ceramic block while you wait.
- Fit: your dentist tries the crown in, checks your bite, bonds it in place and polishes it.
Risks and things to consider
All dental treatment carries risks. After a crown you may notice sensitivity to hot or cold, and occasionally a tooth that was already under stress may need root canal treatment later. Ceramic crowns can chip or fracture, and a crown can loosen over time. Your bite may need small adjustments after fitting. The appointment is longer than a standard filling, and a laboratory made crown may be recommended if it is likely to suit the tooth better. Your dentist will go through the risks that apply to you. This is general information only, not a substitute for individual advice.
Alternatives
- a laboratory made crown, usually over two visits
- a large filling, or an inlay or onlay
- a veneer or porcelain crown for appearance as well as protection
- monitoring the tooth and reviewing it at your next check-up
Aftercare
Your dentist will give you instructions for your own situation. In general, brush and floss as normal, take care with very hard or sticky foods while the area settles, and let us know if your bite feels high or the tooth stays sensitive. If you grind your teeth, ask about a splint to help protect your crown. Regular check-ups let your dentist monitor the crown and the tooth beneath it.
Costs
The cost depends on the tooth, the materials and the work needed beforehand, so we provide an itemised plan after your examination. Health fund rebates vary, so please check your cover, and you can explore payment plans if you would like to spread the cost. Healthdirect has general information on the cost of dental care.
Frequently asked questions
What is a same-day CEREC crown?
A same-day crown is a ceramic crown that is designed on screen from a digital scan of your tooth and milled in the practice, so it can often be fitted in a single visit. It avoids the need for a temporary crown while a laboratory makes the final one.
How long does a same-day crown appointment take?
The visit is longer than a standard filling because the scan, design, milling and fitting all happen on the day. Your dentist can give you an estimate once your tooth has been assessed.
Is a same-day crown suitable for every tooth?
No. Suitability depends on how much of the tooth remains, your bite, any grinding habits and the look you would like. Your dentist will confirm after an examination and X-rays, and may recommend a laboratory made crown or another option instead.
How long will a crown last?
It varies. Longevity depends on the tooth, the material, your bite, your oral hygiene and habits such as grinding. Regular check-ups help your dentist monitor the crown, and no restoration can be promised to last for a set time.
Will my health fund cover a crown?
Many funds provide rebates for crowns, but cover varies by policy, waiting periods and annual limits. Ask us for an itemised treatment plan and check the details with your health fund before you decide.
Want to talk it through?
If you would like to discuss whether a same-day crown may suit you, you can request an appointment online or call us on (03) 9749 1178. You can also meet our team, or read about visiting us from Tarneit or Werribee. The Australian Dental Association provides patient information at teeth.org.au.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Suitability for any treatment depends on an individual assessment, all treatment carries risks and benefits, and results vary between patients. A consultation is needed before options can be confirmed.
Written by the Sayers Dental team.