Same-Day Crowns: How CEREC Works

One visit instead of two

For a long time, getting a crown meant two appointments weeks apart. One visit to shape the tooth and take a mould, then a wait while a lab built the crown, then a second visit to fit it, with a temporary crown to look after in between. CEREC technology folds all of that into a single visit.

For busy parents, folks who commute out of South Surrey, or anyone who simply doesn't love return trips, that's a real bonus for your day. You come in with a damaged tooth and leave with a permanent crown the same afternoon.

What CEREC actually is

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. That's a mouthful for a simple idea: design and make a ceramic crown right here in the office. It uses a digital scanner, design software, and a small milling unit that carves your crown from a solid block of dental ceramic.

Because it's all digital, there's no tray full of putty and nothing to make you gag. The scan is quick, comfortable, and far more precise than the old moulds were.

The step-by-step process

Here's what a same-day crown visit looks like, step by step.

• We gently numb the area and shape the tooth, clearing away decay or old filling material.
• A small handheld camera scans your tooth and your bite in a few minutes.
• Dr. Hassan designs your crown on screen, matching the shape and bite carefully.
• The milling unit carves the crown from a ceramic block while you relax.
• We polish it, check the fit and bite, and bond it firmly in place.

How it feels and how long it takes

Most same-day crown visits take about two hours from start to finish, though it does vary by tooth. You're comfortably numb while the tooth is shaped, and a lot of the middle stretch is simply waiting while the crown is designed and milled. That's time you can spend reading or relaxing.

There's no second freezing appointment, no temporary crown coming loose over the weekend, and no weeks of chewing carefully on one side. The crown that goes in is the final one.

Is a same-day crown right for you?

Same-day crowns are a good fit for a cracked tooth, a large filling that's failing, a tooth that's had a root canal, or worn-down chewing surfaces. The ceramic is strong, looks natural, and blends in with your other teeth.

A few situations still call for a lab-made crown or some extra planning, and we'll tell you honestly if yours is one of them. Insurance, including many extended plans and the CDCP for eligible major work, often helps with crowns, and we'll give you the copay before we begin. The aim is always the same: fix the tooth properly, with as little disruption to your day as we can manage.