CEREC Same Day Crowns in New York

CEREC® is a chairside CAD/CAM system that uses digital impressions and in-office milling to produce ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single visit. The workflow replaces traditional putty impressions and laboratory fabrication with a digital scan, on-screen design and a mill that fabricates the restoration from a solid ceramic block. This approach reduces the number of appointments and eliminates the need for a temporary restoration.

The clinical steps remain familiar—diagnosis, tooth preparation and final bonding—but the digital process allows clinicians to evaluate fit and occlusion immediately. Because design adjustments can be made in real time, minor changes are often addressed during the same appointment. Patients leave with a finished, tooth-colored restoration rather than a provisional piece.

Candidates for CEREC® often include patients who need single-tooth restorations such as crowns, inlays or onlays and who have healthy surrounding tissues. A thorough clinical exam and imaging determine whether there is sufficient tooth structure and healthy gum support for a bonded ceramic restoration. Patients with controlled gum disease and stable oral health are generally good candidates.

Cases that require full-arch prosthetics or complex cosmetic layering may be evaluated differently and could benefit from alternative workflows. Your dentist will review bite forces, bruxism, and esthetic goals to ensure the material choice and design are appropriate. If additional diagnostics are needed, the clinician will explain the reasons and recommended next steps.

The appointment typically begins with a clinical evaluation and tooth preparation similar to a conventional crown procedure. Instead of taking a physical impression, the clinician scans the prepared tooth with an intraoral scanner to produce a highly detailed 3D model of the tooth and surrounding dentition. Design software is then used to craft the restoration while you wait.

When the design is finalized it is sent to an on-site milling unit that fabricates the restoration from a ceramic block. After milling the piece is refined, stained or glazed as needed and tried in to verify fit and occlusion. The restoration is then bonded permanently, and the dentist performs a final check of bite and appearance.

CEREC® restorations are milled from contemporary dental ceramics such as lithium disilicate or high-strength zirconia blocks designed for chairside use. These materials are selected for a combination of esthetics, strength and color stability, allowing restorations to mimic the translucency and surface texture of natural teeth. The choice of block depends on the clinical needs for durability and appearance.

When properly finished and bonded, ceramic restorations resist staining and maintain a lifelike sheen that blends with adjacent teeth. Material selection also affects preparation design and bonding protocol, so your clinician will choose the option that best balances conservation of tooth structure with long-term function. Proper finishing and glazing contribute to wear resistance and patient comfort.

The longevity of a CEREC® restoration depends on several factors including material choice, oral hygiene, occlusion and the presence of parafunctional habits like grinding. With good care and regular dental visits, ceramic restorations can provide many years of reliable service comparable to laboratory-made crowns. Regular monitoring helps detect wear or margin issues early.

Protective measures such as night guards for patients with bruxism and avoidance of chewing excessively hard objects reduce the risk of chipping or fracture. Routine professional cleanings and periodic exams allow the dental team to assess margins and surrounding tissues. Prompt attention to any changes in fit or sensitivity helps extend the restoration's functional life.

CEREC® restorations can achieve strength and esthetics that are comparable to traditional laboratory-made crowns when the case is appropriately selected and the restoration is properly bonded. Digital design captures precise anatomic detail and internal fit, which supports predictable occlusion and contact formation. Contemporary ceramics offer good translucency and color stability for natural-looking results.

Strength and longevity are influenced by material selection, the amount of remaining tooth structure and the quality of bonding. For single-tooth restorations in low to moderate stress zones, chairside ceramics often perform very well. Complex cases that require layered porcelain or specialized staining may still benefit from laboratory techniques, so clinicians evaluate each situation individually.

CEREC® may be less suitable for extensive multi-unit restorations, full-arch prosthetics or situations requiring highly customized aesthetic layering and characterization. Cases with very limited tooth structure or challenging margins may require alternative approaches that involve laboratory technicians and specialized materials. Severe occlusal discrepancies or untreated periodontal issues are reasons to address underlying problems before proceeding.

Your dentist will review diagnostic records and recommend the most appropriate restorative path if CEREC® is not ideal. In some cases a hybrid approach—using digital workflows for part of the treatment and lab support for complex steps—provides the best result. The primary goal is to select the method that delivers durable function and the desired esthetic outcome.

Caring for a ceramic restoration follows the same principles as caring for natural teeth: brush twice daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste and floss daily to prevent decay at the margins. Maintain regular dental checkups and professional cleanings so the team can monitor the restoration and the health of surrounding tissues. Avoid habits like chewing ice, biting nails or using teeth to open packages.

If you have a history of grinding or clenching, speak with your dentist about a protective night guard to reduce stress on the restoration. Address any new sensitivity, roughness or changes in your bite promptly to allow early correction. Routine maintenance and timely attention to issues significantly increase the chance of long-term success.

After bonding a CEREC® restoration most patients can expect immediate improvement in chewing function and normal appearance in the treated area. Mild sensitivity around the prepared tooth or surrounding gum tissue is common and usually resolves within days as the tissues adapt. The dentist will verify bite contacts and make any necessary minor adjustments before you leave the office.

Because the final restoration is placed at the same visit there is no provisional crown to manage, and routine eating is often resumed shortly after the appointment unless otherwise instructed. Your clinician will provide post-operative care instructions and schedule follow-up visits to confirm fit and comfort. Contact the office if you experience persistent soreness or a noticeable change in bite.

At GD Dentistry in New York City we combine intraoral scanning technology with experienced clinical judgment and advanced CAD/CAM software to plan and fabricate restorations. The digital workflow allows immediate evaluation of the restoration's shape, contacts and occlusion so refinements can be made chairside. Skilled finishing and color characterization ensure the restoration harmonizes with adjacent teeth.

Clinical protocols include careful tooth preparation, precise adhesive bonding and a final occlusal verification to support longevity and comfort. Routine follow-up appointments allow our team to monitor the restoration and address any adjustments early. This integrated approach helps deliver predictable esthetic and functional outcomes for patients receiving same-day restorations.