CEREC vs. Lab for Dental Crown

Cerec crown and lab crown fit is almost the same, but I prefer the lab fabricated crown better than cerec. The color match with laboratory fabricated crown is way better since if it is necessary custom work will be done with an expert ceramist. In some cases feldspathic porcelain may be needed due to cosmetic and you can not get that with cerec crowns. cerec can only give you Emax or zerconia one piece crown, and no cut back for layering porcelain, only surface staining!

Cerec is not superior to a dental lab, and in some dentists hands they can be inferior.  Lab worked crowns are by what all materials will be compared, as they are the standard.  Cerec dentists are NOT all the same, it is just a tool.  Even though all artists use brushes and canvas, they are not all equal.  If you find a cerec dentist that takes their time and is skilled, you are fine and likely can get it done in a single visit.  It will be a much LONGER visit, but only one.

I have a cerec and use it where indicated.  Often when patients hear the logistics of it, opt for two visits, since each one is no more than 30 minutes.  A well made cerec (stained, glazed and crystalized in an oven) will require well over two hours for the single visit.

The team of TruCare Dentistry in Roswell, GA is educated about the pros and cons of both types of crowns and will happily answer any questions you may have.

Great question! It turns out that CEREC crowns and lab crowns can be different for a number of reasons. The quality of the crown depends on more than just whether it is made in the dental office or in a dental lab. The quality also depends on the dentist the prepares the tooth for the crown. Many labs that dentists send to to have crowns made also use the same CEREC machine to make the crown. 
One main difference with CEREC crowns is that they are often not the most aesthetic. They are milled from a block of zirconia and usually can't be layered or custom made the same way a crown made by a lab technician might be. Some crowns, especially anterior crowns that appear in the smile may not be a good candidate for CEREC. CEREC crowns, however, do offer the advantage of being convenient (done it one day instead of waiting 2 weeks for the crown to be made). 
In conclusion, when deciding where to get your dental crown done, pick a dentist with good reviews, experience, and a good reputation that uses a trusted dental lab. If you do decide to use an office that has a CEREC machine, make sure the office and dentist are reputable and have good experience! Hope this helps.

Hi:
I have used both cerec and laboratory crowns.  In my opinion, laboratory crown has a better fit, contour and color than cerec.
Best,
Dr. Maddahi

It ALL depends on the experience AND integrity of the person producing a crown, and not so much the way it is made. If longevity and quality is most important , pick a dentist with a good reputation and experience. Ask how many crowns he performed in his professional career one way or the other. Another words if a doctor was doing crowns for years using a dental lab and learned to use CEREC a month ago, I would say he has a lot more experience using a lab and those crowns will likely last longer.

As an actual CEREC CAD/CAM utilizing dentist who actually designs, adjusts and cements 98% of the crowns he does for the last 5 years, I can honestly say that, YES, my CEREC crowns are better.  Let me also state that like any dentistry, it is 100% dependant on the skills of the individual dentist.  Same goes for a dental lab technician....and sometimes you may not actually know or have ever met that person.  In 2017, most commercial crowns in the US are made utilizing CAD/CAM technology....CEREC type technology in dental labs has become mainstream.  If your family and friends are so happy that they are promoting their dentist.....there might be something to check out at that office....the key is to find the right dentist for you whom may or may not utilize CEREC technology, it is not the right fit for every dentist or dental office.

Cerec crowns are not necessarily better. They are often not strong enough if you clench and grind your teeth.

They are more convienant if started and finished in one day but quality can be missed if that is the goal.

These crowns/partial crowns are also more expensive since there is an added value in a one visit crown. The cerec machine is expensive and dentists need to recoup that money. 

Overall, not worth it. 

It depends what you want.  If your priority is convenience then the one-day Cerec  crown is probably the best choice.  At least in the short term.

If you value esthetics and longevity of the crown, then Cerec might not be your best choice. 

The reason is that one of the major causes of crown failure over time is the gap between the crown and the tooth,  what dentists call the margin.  The gap is small and measured in microns (0.00039 inches).  Although this is small, it is important to note that bacteria are smaller.  Eventually larger margins get infected or ‘leak’.

It has been shown that crowns made from digital impressions (which is what Cerec employs) have smaller gaps than traditional lab made metal ones.  But it has also been shown that crowns made at the lab from digital impressions have even smaller margins.  Plus, lab processed crowns look so much better than in-office Cerec crowns.

In my opinion the quality goes from better to worse in the following order:

1)      Digital impression, lab processed;   2)In-office CAD/CAM (Cerec);  3)Traditional impression, traditional crown. (Please remember that there are many variables not accounted for in this discussion)

Attached is an abstract about the margin gap size of various crowns.

Hope this helps.

 

As a CEREC user for the past 10 years. I can easily say that a well done CEREC crown will equal the quality and appearance of a well done lab fabricated crown.  The biggest difference that I notice is the turnaround time for the crown to be placed on the tooth.  CEREC has always marketed itself as a single visit procedure, but often times it is easier to utilize two short appointments instead of one very long appointment.  The major advantage of the CEREC procedure is that you can control how soon the second visit will be to minimize the time the patient needs to wear a temporary crown.