Lab-based crowns: Once your dentist has determined the need for a crown to restore and protect your tooth, the process typically involves two appointments. In the first visit, the affected tooth is carefully prepared, and an impression is taken to capture its details. This impression is sent to a skilled dental lab for custom fabrication. While the lab works on your crown (usually taking 2-3 weeks), you will be fitted with a temporary crown to maintain both function and aesthetics. This initial appointment usually lasts longer, around 1.5 to 2 hours, to allow for tooth preparation, impression taking, and the creation and placement of the temporary crown.

Your second appointment will be shorter, lasting about an hour. During this visit, your dentist will evaluate the appearance and fit of the crown before permanently bonding or cementing it in place. Any necessary adjustments to your bite will be made, along with a final polish, ensuring you leave with a top-quality restoration.

With CEREC CAD/CAM technology, you can walk out of the dental office with your permanent crown in place. After careful tooth preparation, detailed digital scans are taken to design and create your new porcelain restoration. This process requires a longer appointment (2-3 hours) to allow for tooth shaping, digital impression, crown design, and porcelain milling, glazing, and crystallization in an on-site ceramic oven. This innovative single-visit crown solution leverages advanced technology, powerful software, and expert training, though it may not be suitable for every tooth.