Precision Dental Arts, located in Clairemont Mesa at 4320 Genesee Avenue, offers CEREC same-day dental crowns — a technology that lets most patients walk in needing a crown and walk out with a permanent one, all in a single appointment. If you’ve been told you need a crown and are wondering whether to schedule two visits and deal with a temporary restoration or get it done in one trip, here’s exactly how the process works and whether you’re a good candidate.
What CEREC Technology Actually Is
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. The system combines two digital technologies — computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) — to design and mill a ceramic crown right in the dental office. Instead of sending impressions to an outside lab, the dentist captures a 3D digital scan of your tooth, designs the crown on screen, and a milling machine carves it from a solid block of high-quality ceramic material while you wait.
The ceramic used is the same type of tooth-colored material found in traditional lab-fabricated crowns — durable, stain-resistant, and matched to your natural tooth shade. There are no shortcuts in the material itself. The difference is entirely in how and where the crown is made.
How Same-Day Crowns Differ from Traditional Crowns
With a traditional crown, your dentist preps the tooth, takes impressions with putty or a tray, and sends those impressions to an outside dental lab. You leave wearing a temporary crown — made from acrylic and bonded with temporary cement — and return two to three weeks later when the permanent crown arrives. That means two rounds of local anesthetic, two appointments, and two weeks of being careful with a provisional restoration that can crack or come loose.
The CEREC process eliminates the temporary crown entirely. Your tooth is prepped, scanned, designed, milled, and cemented in one visit that typically runs between 90 minutes and two hours. You leave with a permanent ceramic crown bonded in place. Learn more about what goes into crown preparation on our guide to preparing for a dental crown.
Who Is a Good Candidate for CEREC?
Most patients who need a crown are candidates for the same-day approach. CEREC works well for crowns placed after a root canal, for teeth with large cavities that can’t be repaired with a filling, for cracked teeth, and for patients who want to restore a worn or damaged tooth as part of cosmetic dental work. If you’ve been told you need a crown but keep putting off the two-visit process, same-day crowns remove the biggest barrier.
There are situations where CEREC isn’t the ideal option. Crowns placed on dental implants involve a different workflow and often still require lab fabrication. Multi-unit bridges — where two or more adjacent teeth need crowns connected together — are also typically better suited to traditional lab methods. Your dentist at Precision Dental Arts will confirm candidacy after reviewing your X-rays and examining the tooth during your regular exam.
What a Same-Day Crown Appointment Looks Like
The appointment follows a clear sequence. First, the dentist numbs the area and preps the tooth the same way as any crown — removing decay or damaged structure and shaping the tooth to accept the crown. Next, an intraoral camera scans the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth, creating a precise 3D digital model in seconds. No trays, no putty, no gagging.
The dentist then designs the crown on-screen, adjusting the fit and bite digitally before sending the file to the in-office milling machine. Milling takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The finished crown is polished, checked for fit and bite, and cemented into place. Most patients are in and out in under two hours. Check our FAQ page for answers to other common questions about same-day procedures.
Ready to Skip the Temporary Crown?
Precision Dental Arts offers CEREC same-day crowns right here in Clairemont Mesa — no lab wait, no second visit, no temporary restoration to worry about.
Book a Consultation or call us at (858) 560-1996.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
One of the most common questions patients ask is whether CEREC crowns cost more than traditional ones. In most cases, the cost is comparable — typically between $1,000 and $2,500 per crown depending on location, materials, and the complexity of the tooth being treated. The elimination of a temporary crown and a second lab fee can offset the investment in in-office milling equipment.
Dental insurance treats CEREC crowns exactly the same as lab-fabricated crowns in nearly all cases. If your plan covers crowns (usually at 50% after your deductible, for medically necessary work), that coverage applies to a same-day crown. It’s worth calling your insurer for a pre-authorization before your appointment so you know your out-of-pocket costs in advance. For a point of comparison on restorative costs, see our post on how long fillings last — which also affects when a crown becomes the better long-term option.
Why Precision Dental Arts Invested in CEREC
Precision Dental Arts built its practice around doing everything in-house — no referrals, no sending patients elsewhere. Adding CEREC was a natural fit for that model. Patients who come in for a full range of dental services don’t have to coordinate between multiple providers or wait weeks between steps of their care. The CEREC system lets the team control the quality, fit, and timing of the crown from scan to seat without relying on an outside lab’s schedule.
The technology also produces a digital record of the crown design, which is useful if future work is needed on adjacent teeth or if the crown ever needs to be replaced. For patients considering broader restorative work, including cosmetic dentistry, having a digital baseline for the teeth makes planning future treatment more precise. You can read more about cosmetic options in our overview on what to know before choosing cosmetic dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a same-day CEREC crown last?
A well-placed CEREC crown made from quality ceramic can last 10 to 15 years or longer with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings. Clinical research published in peer-reviewed journals puts 5-year survival rates for all-ceramic crowns above 93%, which is on par with traditional metal-ceramic restorations. Longevity depends on the tooth’s location, bite forces, and whether the patient grinds their teeth.
Does insurance cover CEREC same-day crowns?
Most dental insurance plans cover CEREC crowns the same way they cover traditional crowns — typically at 50% of the allowed fee after the deductible is met, up to your annual maximum. Coverage applies when the crown is medically necessary. Purely cosmetic crowns on healthy teeth are generally not covered regardless of how the crown is made. Always request a pre-authorization before your appointment to confirm your specific benefits.
Does getting a CEREC crown hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during the preparation or placement. Some patients experience mild sensitivity in the treated tooth for a few days after the crown is bonded. This typically resolves on its own. If you have concerns about pain or discomfort management, let the team know before the appointment so they can walk you through exactly what to expect.
Who isn’t a candidate for a same-day crown?
Patients who need implant crowns, multi-unit bridges, or full-coverage restorations involving unusual tooth angles or severe misalignment may be better served by a traditional lab-fabricated approach. In those cases, the precision required for a long-lasting fit benefits from a lab’s specialized equipment. During your consultation, the dentist will review your specific situation and recommend the option that gives you the best outcome — same-day or otherwise.