Do you have a damaged, cracked, heavily filled or weakened tooth, or have you had root canal treatment and been advised that the tooth structure is impaired? Perhaps you should think about the option of a crown or inlay. At Distinctly Dental, we’re pleased to offer CEREC crowns and onlays, made right here at the practice using our advanced digital technology. With our Primescan digital scanner and CEREC MC X milling machine, we can digitally scan, design and manufacture your crown or onlay onsite. For the vast majority of our patients, the restoration is designed, made and fitted during the same treatment appointment. There’s no waiting for a dental laboratory to manufacture your restoration and, in most cases, no need to return for another appointment to have it fitted.
What is a CEREC crown?
A crown is a custom-made restoration that fits over a tooth to help restore its strength, function and appearance. Crowns can be recommended for teeth that are significantly weakened, heavily restored, cracked or damaged. Traditionally, having a crown made involved taking an impression of your teeth and sending this to a dental laboratory, with a temporary crown being fitted while you waited for your permanent restoration. With CEREC technology, we can manufacture many crowns onsite at Distinctly Dental, making the treatment process much more convenient.
What is an onlay?
An onlay is another type of custom-made restoration. It can be used when a tooth needs more support than a traditional filling can provide, but a full crown isn't necessarily required. An onlay restores the damaged part of the tooth while allowing us to preserve as much of your healthy natural tooth structure as possible. Your dentist will assess your tooth carefully and explain whether an onlay, crown or another treatment would be most suitable for you.
What does “same-day” actually mean?
Your treatment will normally begin with a separate consultation appointment, where your dentist will assess the tooth, discuss your symptoms and concerns, and determine whether a crown, onlay or another treatment would be the most appropriate option. We believe this assessment is an important part of providing ethical, personalised dentistry. It gives us time to properly understand your dental needs and discuss all the available options with you before treatment takes place. If a CEREC crown or onlay is recommended, we can then arrange your treatment appointment. At this appointment, the digital scanning, design, manufacture and fitting of your restoration will most often all take place during the same visit.
Meet the clinicians offering CEREC treatment
Our CEREC crown and onlay treatment is provided by our experienced clinicians, Dr Ezgi Cilingir and Dr Denisa Cooper. They combine modern digital dentistry with a careful, personalised approach, taking the time to assess each tooth and discuss the most appropriate treatment with you.
How does the CEREC process work?
1. Your tooth is prepared
Your dentist will carefully prepare the tooth so that it is ready to receive the new crown or onlay.
2. We digitally scan your teeth
We use our Primescan digital scanner to create a highly accurate 3D image of your teeth. Instead of traditional impression material and trays, the scanner captures the information digitally, making the process quick and comfortable for many patients.
3. Your restoration is digitally designed
The digital scan is used to design your new crown or onlay using CEREC software. Your dentist can assess the design carefully, considering the shape of your tooth, your bite and the appearance of the restoration.
4. Your restoration is made onsite
Once the design is complete, it is sent to our CEREC MC X milling machine, which manufactures your restoration here at Distinctly Dental. This means your crown or onlay doesn't need to be sent away to an external laboratory.
5. Your restoration is fitted
Once your crown or onlay has been manufactured, your dentist will carefully check the fit, appearance and bite. When everything is right, it is securely bonded into place. For most patients, this means leaving the practice with their permanent crown or onlay fitted on the very same day as their treatment.
A natural-looking result
One of the biggest advantages of CEREC restorations is that they are tooth-coloured and designed to blend beautifully with your natural teeth. The restoration is carefully selected and designed to complement the colour, shape and appearance of your existing teeth. For many patients, the result is so natural-looking that it can be difficult to distinguish the CEREC crown or onlay from their natural teeth. We know that restoring a tooth isn't just about making it strong and functional — it should look natural too. That's particularly important when the tooth is visible when you smile.
Why do our patients like CEREC?
Convenience – Most often, your permanent restoration is designed, made and fitted during one treatment appointment.
Made onsite – Your crown or onlay is manufactured here at Distinctly Dental rather than being sent away to an external laboratory.
No waiting for a laboratory – You don't usually need to wait days or weeks for your permanent restoration to be made.
Digital scanning – Primescan provides a modern, comfortable alternative to traditional dental impressions.
A natural appearance – CEREC restorations are tooth-coloured and designed to blend with your existing teeth, often making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Precision – The digital scan provides a detailed 3D representation of your teeth, helping us design a restoration that fits your individual tooth and bite.
Fewer treatment appointments – Although your initial assessment will usually take place at a separate consultation, the actual CEREC treatment is most often completed in one appointment.
Is CEREC suitable for everyone?
CEREC isn't suitable for every tooth or every situation. That's why your initial consultation is so important.
Your dentist will assess the tooth and consider factors such as its condition, the amount of remaining tooth structure, your bite and your overall dental health. We will always recommend the treatment that we believe is right for you and your tooth, rather than recommending CEREC simply because we have the technology available. Sometimes a traditional laboratory-made restoration or another treatment option may be more appropriate, and we'll explain this clearly so you can make an informed decision.
See What Our Patients Say
We don't just love the technology behind our CEREC same-day crowns — we love hearing how much our patients appreciate the experience too.
“Recently had a new crown at the practice, all done in one visit, designed, made and fitted. Very satisfied.” This is exactly what our CEREC technology is designed to provide. Once your tooth has been assessed and a CEREC crown or onlay has been recommended, most often your restoration can be designed, made and fitted during the same treatment appointment, all here at Distinctly Dental. We think it's a wonderful example of how modern technology can make dental treatment more convenient without compromising on the personal care we provide. And because your restoration is carefully designed to match your natural teeth, the finished result can look beautifully natural too — often making it difficult to distinguish your CEREC restoration from your own teeth.
Advanced technology with a personal touch
We love having advanced technology such as Primescan and CEREC MC X at Distinctly Dental, but technology is only one part of good dentistry. We take the time to listen to you, explain your treatment and make sure you feel comfortable throughout the process. We understand that dental treatment can feel daunting, particularly for nervous patients, and we'll always work at your pace.
Could a CEREC crown or onlay be right for you?
Contact our friendly team to arrange your consultation and find out more about CEREC same-day crowns and onlays.
