Need a dental crown or restoration without multiple appointments? CEREC same-day dentistry in Escondido, CA, allows many eligible restorations to be designed, created and placed in a single visit. This can help you avoid waiting days or weeks for a dental laboratory and, in many cases, eliminates the need for a temporary restoration.
At TLC Escondido Dental, Dr. Jorge Reyes and Dr. Catalina Madrigal use advanced CEREC technology to provide efficient, precise and natural-looking restorative dentistry. Our dentists will evaluate your tooth and determine whether a one-visit CEREC restoration is appropriate for your needs.
CEREC Same-Day Dentistry in Escondido, CA
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This CAD/CAM system uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to create customized dental restorations directly in the dental office.
Traditional restorations may require physical impressions, a temporary restoration and a second appointment after an outside dental laboratory completes the final restoration. With CEREC same-day dentistry, many of these steps can be completed during one appointment using digital scanning, three-dimensional design software and in-office milling technology.
For eligible patients, this means you may be able to arrive with a damaged or weakened tooth and leave with your completed restoration the same day.
Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Dentistry
CEREC technology can make restorative dental care more convenient by allowing our dentists to digitally scan, design and create many restorations in our office.
Potential benefits include:
- Completing many restorations in a single dental visit
- Avoiding a temporary crown in many cases
- Reducing the need for multiple appointments
- Digital impressions instead of traditional impression material in many cases
- Custom-designed restorations created for your individual tooth and bite
- Durable, tooth-colored ceramic materials
- A natural-looking restoration designed to blend with your smile
- Less time away from work, school or family
Not every treatment is appropriate for same-day restoration. Our dentists will evaluate the condition of your tooth, your bite and your overall oral health before recommending CEREC treatment.
How Does CEREC Same-Day Dentistry Work?
Dental Examination and Treatment Planning
Your appointment begins with an examination of the affected tooth. Our dentists will evaluate the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, your bite and any existing decay or damage to determine whether a CEREC restoration can provide appropriate support and function.
Preparing the Tooth
Damaged, decayed or weakened tooth structure is carefully removed. The remaining tooth is then prepared to create a stable foundation for the restoration.
Digital Scanning With CEREC Primescan
CEREC Primescan captures detailed digital images of the prepared tooth, nearby teeth and your bite. These images are used to create a three-dimensional digital model without traditional impression trays in many cases.
Designing Your Restoration
Our dentists use CAD software to digitally design the restoration. Its shape, contours, contact points and bite are customized to fit your mouth and complement the surrounding teeth.
Creating the Restoration With CEREC Primemill
The completed digital design is sent to CEREC Primemill, which creates the restoration from a high-quality block of dental ceramic. Milling time depends on the type of restoration and material selected.
Checking the Fit and Placing the Restoration
Once the restoration is complete, our dentists carefully check the fit, bite, shape and appearance. Any necessary adjustments are made before the restoration is securely bonded into place.
What Restorations Can CEREC Create?
CEREC same-day dentistry can be used to create several types of customized dental restorations.
- Same-day dental crowns
- Dental onlays
- Dental inlays
- Dental veneers in selected cases
- Certain dental implant restorations
- Certain dental bridge restorations when clinically appropriate
The appropriate restoration depends on the condition and location of the tooth, the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, your bite and your cosmetic goals.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most common applications of CEREC technology. A crown covers and protects a tooth that has been weakened by decay, fracture, a large filling, root canal treatment or other damage.
With traditional crown treatment, patients often wear a temporary crown while a dental laboratory creates the final restoration. CEREC can allow many patients to receive a permanent ceramic crown during one appointment.
Learn more about our same-day dental crowns.
CEREC Crowns vs. Traditional Dental Crowns
Both CEREC crowns and traditional laboratory-created crowns are designed to restore and protect damaged teeth. The primary difference is the process used to create the restoration.
A traditional crown may require:
- Two or more dental appointments
- A temporary crown
- An outside dental laboratory
- A waiting period before the final crown is placed
A CEREC crown is digitally designed and milled in the dental office, allowing many patients to complete treatment in one visit.
Some complex or highly specialized cases may still benefit from a laboratory-created restoration. Our dentists will explain which approach is most appropriate based on your tooth, bite and long-term dental needs.
Materials Used for CEREC Restorations
CEREC restorations are created from durable, tooth-colored ceramic materials selected according to the location of the tooth, the type of restoration, bite forces and aesthetic needs.
Zirconia Restorations
Zirconia is known for strength and durability. It may be recommended for back teeth and other areas exposed to greater chewing pressure.
Emax Restorations
Emax is a ceramic material valued for its natural appearance and translucency. It may be recommended when aesthetics are an important consideration.
Our dentists will recommend the material that best supports the function, durability and appearance of your restoration.
Digital Impressions With CEREC Primescan
CEREC Primescan allows our team to capture detailed digital impressions of your teeth and bite. For many treatments, this eliminates the need for traditional trays filled with impression material.
The digital scan provides the information needed to design the restoration while also allowing our dentists to review the three-dimensional model during treatment planning.
Patients who may need digital scanning for other treatments can also learn more about our iTero digital scanner.
Advanced CEREC Training and Experience
Dr. Jorge Reyes and Dr. Catalina Madrigal have completed extensive continuing education in restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, CEREC and digital dentistry. Their advanced education includes CEREC Master Training and more than 100 hours of training in CEREC and digital workflows.
Our office has used CEREC same-day crown technology for approximately 10 years. Our digital workflow includes CEREC Primescan for detailed digital impressions and CEREC Primemill for creating customized restorations in the office.
This combination of technology, training and personalized care allows our team to provide efficient restorative treatment while maintaining close attention to fit, function and appearance.
Who May Benefit From CEREC Same-Day Dentistry?
CEREC same-day dentistry may be appropriate if you need to:
- Restore a cracked or fractured tooth
- Strengthen a weakened tooth
- Repair a tooth with a large cavity or failing filling
- Protect a tooth after root canal treatment
- Replace an old or damaged dental crown
- Restore a tooth with an inlay or onlay
- Complete an eligible dental implant restoration
- Improve the shape or appearance of a damaged tooth
- Reduce the number of appointments required for restorative treatment
A dental examination is necessary to determine whether same-day dentistry is appropriate for your individual needs.
CEREC for Broken or Damaged Teeth
A cracked, fractured or weakened tooth may require a restoration to protect the remaining healthy structure and restore comfortable function.
When the tooth is appropriate for CEREC treatment, our dentists may be able to prepare the tooth, digitally scan it, create the restoration and complete treatment during the same visit.
If significant tooth damage occurs unexpectedly, our emergency dental care page provides additional information about urgent treatment.
How to Care for a CEREC Restoration
CEREC restorations should be cared for much like natural teeth. Good daily habits and regular professional dental care can help protect both the restoration and the surrounding tooth structure.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss around the restoration every day
- Attend regular dental cleanings and examinations
- Avoid chewing ice and other very hard objects
- Do not use your teeth to open packages
- Contact our office if the restoration feels loose, damaged or uncomfortable
If you grind or clench your teeth, our dentists may recommend a custom night guard to help protect your teeth and restorations.
CEREC Same-Day Dentistry in Escondido, CA FAQs
What is CEREC same-day dentistry?
CEREC same-day dentistry uses digital scanning, CAD/CAM design and in-office milling technology to create many customized dental restorations during a single appointment.
Can CEREC really complete a restoration in one visit?
Yes. CEREC allows our dentists to scan, design, mill and place many eligible restorations during one appointment. Some complex treatments may still require a different restorative process.
Can I get a same-day crown with CEREC?
Many dental crowns can be created and placed in one visit using CEREC technology. Our dentists will first evaluate the tooth to determine whether a same-day crown is appropriate.
How long does a CEREC appointment take?
Appointment length varies according to the tooth and type of restoration. Treatment generally includes tooth preparation, digital scanning, restoration design, in-office milling and final placement.
Are CEREC crowns permanent?
Yes. CEREC crowns are permanent restorations rather than temporary crowns. They are bonded to the prepared tooth and designed for long-term use with appropriate care.
Are CEREC restorations as strong as traditional restorations?
CEREC restorations are made from durable dental ceramics such as zirconia and Emax. The appropriate material is selected according to the location of the tooth, bite forces and treatment needs.
Do CEREC crowns look natural?
CEREC restorations are made from tooth-colored ceramic materials and customized to complement the size, shape and appearance of surrounding teeth.
Does CEREC eliminate traditional impressions?
In many cases, yes. CEREC Primescan captures detailed digital impressions and can reduce or eliminate the need for traditional impression material for eligible restorations.
Can CEREC make veneers?
CEREC may be used to create dental veneers in selected cases. The appropriate method depends on your cosmetic goals, bite, tooth structure and treatment complexity.
Can CEREC be used for dental implants?
CEREC can be used to design and create certain implant restorations. Treatment depends on the implant position, healing stage and type of restoration required.
How long do CEREC restorations last?
The lifespan of a dental restoration depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, habits, restorative material and regular dental care. With proper maintenance, CEREC restorations may provide many years of service.
How much does CEREC same-day dentistry cost?
Cost depends on the type of restoration, tooth location, material selected and any additional treatment required. Our team can provide a personalized estimate after your evaluation.
Are financing options available for CEREC restorations?
Financial options may be available to help make restorative care more manageable. Visit our financial options page or membership plan page to learn more.
Schedule CEREC Same-Day Dentistry in Escondido, CA
If you need a crown, onlay or another eligible dental restoration, CEREC technology may allow you to complete treatment in one convenient appointment. Our dentists will examine your tooth, explain your restorative options and determine whether same-day treatment is appropriate for you.
Contact TLC Escondido Dental or call 760-741-5775 today to schedule CEREC same-day dentistry in Escondido, CA.