Modern restorative dentistry gives you better options than ever before. At Gold Coast Smiles in Glen Cove, NY, we invest in technology that saves time and delivers beautiful results without compromising strength. One standout solution is CEREC Same Day Crowns. These custom porcelain restorations are designed, crafted, and placed in a single visit, so you can skip the messy impressions and the hassle of temporary crowns.
In this guide, we compare CEREC Same Day Crowns to traditional crowns across comfort, convenience, materials, fit, esthetics, durability, and cost. You will learn when each option makes sense and what to expect during your visit.
What Makes CEREC Different From a Traditional Crown Process
Traditional crowns typically take two visits. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken using trays and putty, and a temporary crown is placed. You then wait days or weeks while an outside lab fabricates your permanent crown. A second visit is needed to remove the temporary and cement the final restoration. Temps can feel bulky or come loose, and impression material can be uncomfortable for patients who have a sensitive gag reflex.
CEREC Same Day Crowns transform this experience. Using a high quality intraoral scanner, we capture precise digital images of your teeth and gums. These images are converted into a 3D model, which allows us to design your crown chairside while you watch. The design is sent to an in office milling unit that carves your crown from a strong, tooth colored ceramic block. In most cases, the crown is tried in, adjusted as needed, and bonded permanently in a single visit.
Comfort and Convenience During Your Appointment
Comfort begins with the scan. Digital imaging replaces traditional impression trays, which many patients find uncomfortable. If you have a strong gag reflex or simply dislike impression material, the touch free digital scan is a welcome change.
Convenience is built into the timeline. Most CEREC visits take roughly one and a half to two hours, with about 45 minutes of free time while the crown mills. You can relax, watch TV, use your phone, read, or even take a quick nap. There is no need for a second injection, a temporary crown, or a return trip for delivery. For busy schedules, finishing everything in one visit is a major advantage.
Materials and Esthetics You Can See
Gold Coast Smiles uses high strength ceramics that are metal free and closely match natural tooth structure. Our go to option is often E.max porcelain for its strength, lifelike translucency, accuracy, and excellent bonding characteristics. Because the crown is customized on site, we can fine tune shape and color for a natural blend with your smile.
Traditional lab crowns can also be beautiful, especially when a skilled technician has time to layer ceramics for complex cases. For a single back tooth or many common situations, CEREC Same Day Crowns deliver esthetics that meet or exceed what most patients expect, without the wait.
Precision Fit and Long Term Performance
Fit matters for comfort and longevity. Conventional lab crowns can sometimes be affected by impression distortions or material changes that occur between your mouth and the lab. CEREC reduces these variables by keeping the entire workflow digital and in house. The CAD and CAM process is highly precise, which often means minimal or no adjustment at delivery.
Durability is excellent. CEREC crowns use the same milling process high end labs rely on, and in many cases the very same ceramic materials. With good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, CEREC crowns are proven to last 10 to 15 years and often longer, similar to traditional crowns when both are done well and maintained properly.
CEREC Same Day Crowns vs Traditional Crowns: A Side by Side Look
- Comfort: CEREC replaces impression trays with digital scans. Traditional crowns usually require putty impressions that can trigger gagging for some patients.
- Time: CEREC completes treatment in one visit, which eliminates the second appointment and reduces disruptions to your schedule. Traditional crowns require a temporary and a later delivery visit.
- Temporaries: CEREC does not require temporary crowns. Traditional crowns usually need a temporary that can feel bulky or come off.
- Esthetics: CEREC provides metal free, tooth colored ceramics with natural translucency. Traditional crowns can also be highly esthetic, especially for complex cosmetic cases handled by an artisan lab.
- Fit: CEREC’s digital design and in office milling offer very precise fits with fewer adjustments. Traditional lab crowns can fit beautifully but introduce extra variables between office and lab.
- Longevity: Both options are strong and long lasting when designed and placed properly and maintained with regular care.
- Cost: At Gold Coast Smiles, the fee for CEREC crowns and traditional crowns is the same. Your treatment choice is based on what best suits your tooth, bite, and esthetic goals rather than price.
When We Recommend Traditional Crowns Instead
Although CEREC Same Day Crowns are an excellent choice for many teeth, there are situations where a traditional lab fabricated restoration is preferred. For advanced cosmetic cases on front teeth, full mouth rehabilitations, or complex multi tooth treatment plans, we may collaborate with a master lab technician. In these cases, a wax up and staged approach allow us to study bite dynamics, esthetic contours, and shade layering in greater detail. You may wear custom interim restorations while we refine your new smile before final delivery.
The bottom line is that CEREC is a powerful tool, but it is one option in a full toolbox. We evaluate every case on a tooth by tooth basis and recommend the method that best fits your needs.
What to Expect During a CEREC Visit
- Preparation: We gently prepare the tooth and keep you comfortable throughout.
- Digital Imaging: A handheld scanner quickly captures a 3D map of your teeth and gums. No trays or impression putty are needed.
- Design: Using specialized software, Dr. Andrew Sami designs your crown chairside. You can watch the design and ask questions as the contours and bite are refined.
- Milling: The in office milling unit crafts your crown from a high strength ceramic block. This step takes minutes, during which you can relax.
- Finishing and Placement: We try in the crown, verify fit, color, and bite, then bond it securely. Most patients leave with a fully restored tooth that looks and feels natural.
CEREC Same Day Crowns for Busy Schedules
If you have a tight calendar, travel frequently, or balance work and family commitments, the single visit benefit is the game changer. There is no worry about a temporary crown breaking during a trip or the inconvenience of arranging a second visit. In many cases, your total chair time is only slightly longer than a routine cleaning and exam.
Are CEREC Crowns Right for You
CEREC Same Day Crowns are a great choice when you want a strong, natural looking restoration without multiple appointments. They work well for many back teeth and for a wide range of clinical situations. For more complex cosmetic goals, or when several teeth are involved, we may still recommend a custom lab approach. During your consultation, we will review your bite, remaining tooth structure, and esthetic priorities to help you decide.
How to Get Started
CEREC Same Day Crowns deliver comfort, convenience, precision, and natural beauty in one efficient visit. Traditional crowns still play an important role for certain esthetic or complex cases. Ready to explore a same day solution with CEREC? At Gold Coast Smiles, we guide you to the option that fits your smile goals, your bite, and your schedule. Call 516-676-0250 to speak with our team or contact us and take the next step toward a stronger, more confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions About CEREC Same Day Crowns
How long does a CEREC appointment take
Most visits take about one and a half to two hours. Much of that time is hands off for you while the crown mills. You can relax in your private room, watch TV, read, or check messages during this period.
Are CEREC crowns as durable as traditional crowns
Yes. CEREC crowns are milled from the same types of high strength ceramics used by quality labs. With proper home care and regular checkups, they are proven to last 10 to 15 years and often longer, similar to traditional crowns.
At Gold Coast Smiles in Glen Cove, we combine advanced technology with a personalized approach to care. Our team designs beautiful, durable restorations that fit your schedule and your smile. Ready to talk about your options for CEREC or traditional crowns? Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.