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