How Long is a CEREC Appointment?

In our office, it takes one and a half hours to two hours for a CEREC visit.  However, during that time, about 45 minutes is relaxing time for the patient.  During the relaxing time, the patient watches televison, reads, or checks their emails.  As far as the work on the tooth, it is exactly the same as a conventional crown, and the patient does not have to deal with a temporary crown for 2-3 weeks and worry about making a second appointment with us.  It is very convenient for the patient and also avoids the tooth becoming more sensitive with the temporary crown.  With everyone's busy schedules, it is a great service for the patient.

Typically a CEREC procedure can last between 1-2.5 hours.  Some factors can increase the time spent, such as the number of teeth being worked on or the type of material being used, as well as the skill and experience of the dentist.

An appointment to prepare and place a CEREC restoration in our office takes less than one hour.  We have become very efficient at doing CEREC, with over 400 units per year in a single doctor office.  Appointment length will vary between doctors, depending on skill and degree of comfort using the technology.  Our office has incorporated the CEREC technology with 3-D X-ray technology and implant design systems, making us the only Computer Assisted Dentistry office in New England.  If the unit needs to be characterized and glazed in a porcelain oven, the procedure takes an additional 30 minutes.

A Cerec crown appointment takes from an hour and one half to two hours. The Cerec crown is a great service when it is done in the appropriate situation. I do not believe that it can be used in every situation. If the crown fits the tooth properly and is the proper thickness then it should last as long as any other crown.

A cerac crown or onlay can last as long as a regular crown if done correctly.  The big advantage of cerac crowns is single visit placement with no temporary.  The visit takes longer then the first visit of a crown but can be less then the total of the two visits needed for a regular crown.  Usually you are looking at a couple hours.  The advantage is no temporary and no wait for the second visit.  This is also healthier on the tooth to do it in one visit.