How Often Do Cerec Crowns Fail?

In the hands of a skilled and competent dentist, CEREC crowns and onlays/inlays work well. However, I see alot of people coming in with poorly done CEREC restorations. It seems as though there is a steep and long/tall learning curve. Some dentists do not seem to ever get thru the learning curve. Quite often they are poorly cemented with gaps at the margins or excess cement that cannot be cleaned off. I also believe there is tendency of dentists to overprescribe CEREC crowns when a direct composite filling would work fine. Typically the patients insurance will pay 80% of $150-$330 for a filling vs. 50% of $600-$1200 for a CEREC restoration. This is a huge difference in the out of pocket expense for the patient. The dentist  has $100,000 invested in the CEREC system and has to pay that overhead so it seems like CEREC is being over-utilized. The old saying..."if all you have is an (expensive) hammer, everything looks like a nail ! "

 

But if the dentist using CEREC doesn't learn how to do them well, they will fracture more easily than a lab made crown.  Not all dentists are created equal, so some homework is needed.  The right material needs to be used, the tooth preparation needs to be designed correctly and the crown needs to be bonded correctly as well.

CEREC crowns do not fail more often than traditional crowns.  Any crown will fail if it is not designed properly.  The crown must fit the bite both when the teeth are closed and in function.  The tooth must be prepared to provide enough thickness for the crown to maintain structural integrity.  The margins of the crown and tooth preparation must be matched so that a proper seal exists, even before cementation.  Home care is also an important factor, since a healthy environment around a crown promotes longevity.

Although the CEREC technology to provide a single visit crown in the dental office is limited in availability, a significant number of professional dental labs are using CEREC technology to fabricate their crowns.