Medically Reviewed by Bryant Birch, DDS on July 27, 2026
A CEREC same-day crown restores a decayed, cracked, or worn tooth using digital scanning and in-office milling technology, so you leave with a finished, custom-fitted ceramic crown after a single appointment instead of returning weeks later for a lab-made restoration.
At Birch Family Dental in Green River, Wyoming, we use CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology to design, mill, and place crowns without the temporary restoration and follow-up visit that traditional crowns require. Dr. Bryant Birch added this technology to the practice to give patients a faster, more comfortable path to a repaired tooth, and our team continues to rely on it for many crown cases today.
The 5 Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Traditional crowns are typically made by sending an impression of your tooth to an off-site dental lab, a process that can take two weeks or longer. CEREC changes that process by using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to capture a digital impression of your tooth chairside, then mill your custom crown from a solid block of ceramic while you wait. This same-day approach offers several advantages over the traditional method.
Convenience
Before CEREC, patients wore a temporary crown for one to two weeks while their permanent restoration was fabricated in a lab. Temporary crowns can feel loose, come off unexpectedly, or wear down before the permanent crown arrives. With CEREC, you skip the temporary stage entirely and leave with your finished crown the same day you arrive for treatment.
Comfort
Because your crown is designed from a precise digital scan rather than a physical mold, it tends to fit closely against the surrounding teeth and gumline from the start. Digital scanning also means we remove only the enamel needed to accommodate the crown, which can make the fitting process more comfortable than older methods.
Natural-Looking Results
CEREC crowns are milled from tooth-colored ceramic block material, so they can blend with the shade and translucency of your surrounding teeth. The digital design process allows for close matching to your bite and the contours of neighboring teeth, which supports a more seamless appearance.
Minimally Invasive Impressions
Traditional impressions use a tray filled with thick putty that many patients find uncomfortable, particularly those with a sensitive gag reflex. CEREC replaces this step with a small digital scanning wand that captures images of your teeth without the mess or discomfort of a physical impression tray.
Long-Lasting Durability
CEREC crowns are milled from solid ceramic blocks rather than layered materials, which supports their durability. A clinical review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that chairside CAD/CAM restorations, including CEREC crowns, show favorable long-term survival rates when combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Same-Day Crown
Most patients who need a crown for a cracked, worn, or heavily decayed tooth can be candidates for the CEREC process, though your dentist will need to evaluate the position and condition of the tooth first. Teeth with cracks that extend below the gumline, for example, may need a different restorative approach. We walk through the details of who is a good candidate for same-day CEREC crowns during your consultation, taking your dental history and the extent of damage into account before recommending same-day treatment.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
CEREC crowns offer real advantages, but they are not the right fit for every situation. Not every dental practice offers CEREC technology, since it requires specific equipment and training to use effectively. The milled ceramic used for CEREC crowns, while durable, is not as resistant to extreme bite forces as some metal-based crowns, which may make it a less suitable option for patients who grind their teeth heavily. Cost can also run slightly higher than a traditional crown in some cases, though this varies by insurance coverage and case complexity. We can review your financial options with you so you understand what to expect before moving forward with treatment.
How the CEREC Procedure Works
The same-day crown process follows a few clear steps. First, we prepare the damaged tooth by removing any decay and shaping it to accept the crown. Next, we capture a digital scan of your tooth and surrounding teeth using a small handheld camera. That scan is used to design your crown on-screen, matching it to your bite and the shape of neighboring teeth. Once the design is finalized, an in-office milling unit carves the crown from a solid block of ceramic, a process that typically takes fifteen to twenty minutes.
Finally, we check the fit, make any needed adjustments, and bond the finished crown in place. Because every step happens in our office, you avoid the back-and-forth of a traditional crown timeline and leave with a tooth that functions and looks the way it should.
CEREC Crowns Compared to Other Crown Materials
Dental crowns can be made from several materials, including metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia, and all-ceramic options like CEREC. Metal crowns can withstand significant bite force but do not match the color of natural teeth, which makes them a less common choice for visible teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine strength with a more natural appearance, though the metal substructure can sometimes show as a dark line near the gumline over time. Zirconia and CEREC ceramic crowns offer a closer color match to natural teeth while still providing solid durability for everyday use.
If your concern is a cosmetic issue rather than a structural one, veneers made with the same CEREC technology may be a more conservative option worth discussing with our team.
Caring for Your CEREC Crown After Placement
A CEREC crown does not require special maintenance beyond the oral hygiene habits you already use for your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and schedule routine dental visits so we can check the fit and condition of your crown at each cleaning. Avoid chewing on very hard items like ice or hard candy, which can chip any type of crown over time, and let us know if you notice any looseness or sensitivity so we can address it early.
Advanced Same-Day Dentistry at Birch Family Dental
Dr. Bryant Birch has practiced dentistry in Green River since joining his father’s practice, and he brought CEREC same-day crown technology into the office to give patients a faster path to a repaired, comfortable smile. Alongside CEREC, our office also uses cone beam CT imaging to plan restorative treatment with greater precision before we ever begin work on your tooth.
If you have a decayed, cracked, or worn tooth and want to know whether a same-day crown is the right solution, we encourage you to schedule a visit so we can evaluate your tooth and walk you through your options. Fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About CEREC Same-Day Crowns
How long does a CEREC same-day crown appointment take?
Most CEREC same-day crown appointments take between one and two hours from start to finish, including tooth preparation, digital scanning, milling, and placement. The milling step itself usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes. Because everything happens in a single visit, you avoid the two to three week wait typically associated with lab-made crowns and the extra appointment needed to place them.
Are CEREC crowns as strong as traditional lab-made crowns?
CEREC crowns are milled from solid ceramic blocks, which gives them good resistance to daily chewing forces and a long-term survival rate comparable to many lab-made crowns. They may not match the strength of a full metal crown for patients with a heavy grinding habit, so your dentist will consider your bite and habits before recommending this option.
What are the disadvantages of CEREC crowns?
The most common drawbacks are limited availability, since not every dental office has the equipment, and a cost that can run slightly higher than a standard crown in some cases. Patients with cracks extending below the gumline or a very heavy grinding habit may also be better suited to a different type of restoration.
How much does a CEREC crown cost?
Cost varies based on your insurance coverage, the location of the tooth, and the extent of preparation needed. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown treatment when it is medically necessary. Our team can review your coverage and financing options with you before treatment begins so there are no surprises.
How do I care for a CEREC crown after it is placed?
A CEREC crown does not require special care beyond the oral hygiene habits you already use for your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss once a day, and avoid chewing on very hard items like ice or hard candy, which can chip any type of crown over time. Routine dental visits let us check the fit and condition of your crown at each cleaning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Owner, Birch Family Dental
Dr. Bryant Birch is a Green River, Wyoming native who earned his dental degree from Creighton University in 2006 before joining his father’s practice and later becoming its owner. He has modernized the practice with technology including CEREC same-day crowns and cone beam CT imaging, and he is a member of the American Dental Association and the Wyoming Dental Association.
