Precision, speed, and natural-looking ceramic restorations delivered in a single appointment.
Transformative same-day dentistry that fits your schedule
CEREC® streamlines restorative care so you don’t have to rearrange your life for multiple dental appointments. Using chairside design and milling technology, we can create and place ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays during one comfortable visit. That means less time off work or away from the things that matter most.
Beyond convenience, CEREC emphasizes a patient-centered experience: a digital workflow replaces traditional impressions, temporary restorations, and long laboratory waits. The result is a predictable, efficient process that reduces the number of visits while maintaining a focus on fit and function.
At Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry we view CEREC as a way to deliver modern restorative care without compromising on quality. Patients appreciate the efficiency, and clinicians value the control it gives them over the final restoration.
Single-visit crowns and restorations: what to expect
The typical CEREC appointment begins with a careful evaluation and preparation of the tooth. Once the tooth is ready, an ergonomically designed intraoral scanner captures a detailed 3D image of the prepared area and surrounding teeth. This digital impression is faster and more comfortable than traditional putty impressions for most patients.
Using specialized software, the dentist designs a restoration that matches your bite, contours, and shade. Because the design happens in the operatory, we can make real-time adjustments to optimize fit and esthetics. When the plan is finalized, a high-quality ceramic block is milled right in the office to produce the final restoration.
After milling, the restoration is tried in, shaded as needed, polished, and bonded permanently. Many patients leave the practice with a completed crown or onlay the same day—without a temporary or a return visit—while still receiving the careful clinical attention they deserve.
How the digital CAD/CAM workflow improves predictability
The foundation of CEREC is modern CAD/CAM technology—computer-aided design paired with computer-aided manufacturing. This digital workflow reduces sources of error found in some traditional methods and offers precise control over the restoration’s shape and occlusion. The software helps the clinician design margins, contacts, and anatomy that work with your natural dentition.
Digital scans capture fine details and allow for rapid iteration when necessary. Because the milling unit fabricates the restoration from a single ceramic block, color and translucency can be carefully matched using staining and glazing techniques. The result is a restoration that blends seamlessly with adjacent teeth while maintaining structural integrity.
CEREC’s in-office production also provides transparency: patients can see the design process, ask questions in real time, and participate in decisions about how their restoration should look. This collaborative approach often leads to stronger patient satisfaction and more predictable outcomes.
Materials and longevity: what makes CEREC restorations durable and lifelike
CEREC restorations are milled from high-grade ceramics engineered for both strength and esthetics. These materials offer excellent wear resistance and a natural appearance that mimics tooth enamel. Because each restoration is custom-shaped and properly bonded, it can function reliably for many years with appropriate care.
Maintaining a CEREC restoration follows the same principles as caring for natural teeth: consistent brushing and flossing, routine professional cleanings, and addressing habits that place excessive stress on restorations. For patients with bruxism or heavy wear, our team can discuss protective strategies, such as night guards, to help preserve the restoration long-term.
Not every case is a perfect fit for same-day fabrication, but many scenarios—single crowns, inlays, onlays, and certain veneers—are excellent candidates for CEREC. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate the condition of the tooth, occlusion, and aesthetic goals to determine whether this approach is the most appropriate solution.
Aftercare and follow-up: protecting your new restoration
Following placement, some patients may notice mild sensitivity for a short period as the tooth adjusts—this is common and typically resolves within a few days. We provide clear aftercare instructions and will schedule an appropriate follow-up to confirm your bite and comfort are ideal. If sensitivity persists or you experience discomfort, contacting the practice promptly allows us to address issues early.
Long-term success depends on regular preventive care. Professional examinations allow us to monitor the margins of the restoration and adjacent tissues so minor concerns can be managed before they escalate. Cleanings and routine x-rays help detect changes that aren’t always visible to the naked eye.
For patients with specialized needs—such as heavy occlusal forces or specific cosmetic goals—we tailor maintenance recommendations to the individual. In many cases, a simple combination of nightly protection, careful chewing habits, and periodic professional checks is enough to extend the life of a CEREC restoration considerably.
Is CEREC right for you? Practical considerations
CEREC is an excellent option for many patients who want a same-day solution that balances function and appearance. It works particularly well when you need a single crown or a conservative onlay and prefer to minimize the number of appointments. That said, complex cases involving multiple units, significant bite reconstruction, or extensive cosmetic layering may still benefit from laboratory-fabricated approaches.
Decisions around restorative materials and techniques should be individualized. During a comprehensive evaluation we will consider tooth structure, occlusion, aesthetic priorities, and long-term goals to recommend an approach that aligns with your needs. Transparency and collaboration are central to our treatment planning process.
For prospective patients who value convenience but won’t compromise on clinical quality, CEREC often provides an excellent middle ground—combining digital precision with in-office control to produce reliable, attractive restorations.
In summary, CEREC delivers an efficient, digitally driven option for ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays that emphasizes precision, comfort, and esthetics. Our team at Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry uses this technology thoughtfully—selecting cases where same-day restoration improves patient experience without sacrificing long-term performance. Contact us to learn more about whether CEREC is a good fit for your restorative needs and to discuss the next steps for your care.
CEREC is a chairside CAD/CAM system that designs and mills ceramic dental restorations in the dental operatory. Using an intraoral scanner, the dentist captures a detailed digital impression of the prepared tooth and surrounding dentition. Specialized software converts that scan into a custom restoration design, which the in‑office milling unit fabricates from a high‑grade ceramic block.
The process eliminates the need for traditional putty impressions and temporary crowns by producing the finished restoration during the same visit. Once milled, the restoration is characterized, polished, and bonded to the tooth with adhesive protocols appropriate for the material. This digital workflow allows clinicians to control fit, occlusion, and esthetics in real time while keeping the procedure efficient for patients.
What types of restorations can CEREC create?
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CEREC is commonly used to fabricate single crowns, inlays, onlays and certain types of veneers where a conservative ceramic restoration is appropriate. The system can reproduce complex occlusal anatomy and precise contacts, making it suitable for many posterior and anterior applications. Because restorations are milled from solid ceramic, they provide a lifelike appearance and favorable wear characteristics when properly selected.
Not every restorative situation is a match for same‑day milling; more extensive multi‑unit bridges or highly layered cosmetic cases may still benefit from laboratory fabrication. During your evaluation, the dentist will assess tooth structure, occlusion, and aesthetic goals to determine whether a CEREC solution is the best clinical choice. Case selection focuses on long‑term function and predictable outcomes rather than convenience alone.
What should I expect during a CEREC appointment?
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A typical CEREC appointment begins with diagnosis and tooth preparation, followed by an intraoral scan to capture a digital impression. The clinician designs the restoration on the chairside software, refines occlusion and contours as needed, and sends the design to the milling unit for fabrication. While the restoration is being milled, the team prepares the tooth surface for adhesive bonding and completes any necessary characterization work.
After milling, the restoration is tried in, adjusted for fit and bite, then stained or glazed and polished before final bonding. Most patients leave the office with a completed restoration and without a temporary. The team will review home care and schedule an appropriate follow‑up to confirm comfort and occlusion.
How does CEREC compare with traditional lab‑made crowns?
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CEREC and traditional laboratory‑fabricated crowns can both produce high‑quality restorations, but they differ in workflow and control. CEREC centralizes design and manufacturing in the office, which allows the clinician to make real‑time adjustments and reduces the need for multiple appointments. Laboratory crowns often involve more layers of ceramic or specialized techniques that can be advantageous for complex cosmetic cases.
From a predictability standpoint, the digital workflow reduces many variables associated with conventional impressions and temporaries, and it provides immediate visualization of the design. The dentist will weigh the functional demands, esthetic requirements, and occlusal considerations when recommending an approach tailored to the individual patient. Clinical judgment determines which method will deliver the best long‑term result.
Are CEREC restorations durable and how should I care for them?
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CEREC restorations are milled from durable ceramics engineered for strength and esthetics, and they perform well when properly bonded and maintained. Routine oral hygiene—brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and daily interdental cleaning—helps preserve both the restoration and adjacent teeth. Regular professional cleanings and examinations allow the dental team to monitor margins and detect wear or marginal issues early.
Patients with heavy occlusal forces or bruxism should discuss protective strategies with the dentist, such as a custom night guard, to reduce stress on restorations. Avoiding very hard or abrasive habits—ice chewing, using teeth as tools—also extends longevity. With attentive home care and periodic dental oversight, many CEREC restorations provide reliable service for years.
Who is a good candidate for CEREC restorations?
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Candidates for CEREC are patients who require single‑unit restorations such as crowns, inlays, or onlays and who value a single‑visit solution without compromising clinical quality. Adequate remaining tooth structure, manageable occlusion, and realistic esthetic expectations are important factors in candidacy. The dentist will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including occlusal analysis and radiographic assessment, to determine suitability.
Complex rehabilitations involving multiple units, significant bite realignment, or cases requiring advanced layering techniques may be better served with laboratory collaboration. Patient health, periodontal status, and restorative history are all considered during treatment planning. The goal is to select the option that best balances function, longevity, and appearance for each individual.
How does the digital scanning process feel and is it more comfortable than traditional impressions?
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The digital scanning process uses an ergonomic intraoral scanner to capture a series of images that are stitched into a 3‑D model; most patients find it quicker and more comfortable than traditional putty impressions. Scanning eliminates gag‑triggering materials and allows the clinician to instantly verify capture quality and rescan specific areas if needed. The immediate visualization on the screen also helps clinicians explain the case and involve patients in decision making.
Because scans can be refined in real time, they reduce the likelihood of needing a repeat appointment due to impression errors. For patients with sensitive gag reflexes or anxiety about bulk impression materials, chairside scanning is often preferred. The clinician will always ensure patient comfort and take time to explain each step of the process.
How are CEREC restorations matched to my natural teeth?
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Shade matching with CEREC combines digital assessment, ceramic selection, and manual characterization to achieve a natural result. The clinician evaluates tooth color, translucency, and surface characteristics, then selects an appropriate ceramic block and may apply stains, glazes, or polishing techniques to refine shade and texture. Because the restoration is fabricated in the office, adjustments can be made immediately to improve integration with adjacent teeth.
Lighting conditions and ongoing communication between patient and clinician are important when determining color outcomes, particularly for highly visible anterior restorations. Final polishing and glazing enhance surface luster and mimic enamel reflection. If exceptional layering is required for specific cosmetic goals, the dentist will discuss whether laboratory techniques are more appropriate for that case.
What postoperative sensations are normal after receiving a CEREC restoration?
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Mild sensitivity to temperature or chewing for a few days after bonding a restoration is common as the tooth adapts to treatment and adhesive materials. This transient sensitivity typically resolves without intervention, but the dental team will provide guidance on recommended products and behaviors to minimize discomfort. If sensitivity persists beyond a short adjustment period or is associated with sharp pain, contacting the office allows the clinician to evaluate and address potential causes.
A properly seated restoration should feel comfortable within the occlusion; if you notice high spots or altered bite, inform the dental team so they can make timely adjustments. Follow‑up visits help confirm that the restoration and surrounding tissues are responding well. Prompt communication about unusual symptoms supports predictable outcomes and patient comfort.
How can I find out if CEREC is right for me at Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry?
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To determine whether CEREC is an appropriate option, schedule a comprehensive evaluation where the dentist will review your dental history, examine tooth structure, and assess occlusion and aesthetic goals. The team at Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry will explain the clinical rationale for recommended options and outline the steps involved in a same‑day restoration when it is appropriate. This collaborative discussion focuses on long‑term function and predictable esthetics rather than convenience alone.
If CEREC is not the ideal solution for your specific needs, the practice will recommend alternative restorative strategies and explain the benefits of each approach. Shared decision making ensures you understand expected outcomes and maintenance considerations. The goal is to arrive at a treatment plan that aligns with your oral health priorities and delivers durable, natural‑looking results.
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