CEREC · same-day restorations

CEREC crowns, often in a single visit

CEREC uses a 3D scanner, computer design and in-house milling to make ceramic crowns, inlays and onlays while you wait. Fewer appointments, no temporary crown in most cases.

Request an appointmentCall (08) 9330 7115
Illustration of a ceramic crown designed on a scan grid and milled from a ceramic block.
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In plain English

What is a same-day CEREC crown?

CEREC lets us design and make a ceramic crown, onlay or veneer here at the practice, often while you wait. A 3D scan replaces messy moulds, and in many cases you leave with the final restoration the same day, without a temporary.

Not every tooth is suitable for a same-day restoration. Your dentist will tell you whether it is right for you.

Crowns

Cover and strengthen a cracked, broken or heavily filled tooth.

Inlays & onlays

Repair part of a back tooth with a durable ceramic piece.

Veneers & bridges

Designed digitally; some cases may need extra visits or lab time.

CEREC in-house milling unit
Our in-house milling unit. Illustrative image.
See how it works

Same-day crowns in pictures

Press play or use the arrows. Captions are on (CC).

From a block of ceramic to your crown. Your design is sent to our milling unit, which carves the crown from a solid ceramic block. It is then polished, stained and glazed to match your teeth.

Step by step CEREC same-day crown: how it works

Illustration of an intraoral scanner wand above a tooth prepared for a crown.

Step 1 A 3D scan records the prepared tooth.

Show transcriptHide transcript (4 steps)
  1. A 3D scan records the prepared tooth.
  2. A solid ceramic block is held in the milling unit.
  3. Two burs shape the block from your digital design.
  4. The crown is polished, glazed and fitted, often in the same visit.
Illustration, not to scale. Your own treatment may differ, and your dentist will explain your plan.
Benefits

Why patients choose same-day restorations

  • Fewer visitsUsually no second appointment and no temporary crown.
  • Digital accuracyPrimescan captures detailed 3D data used to design your restoration.
  • Tooth-coloured ceramicShade-matched, stained and glazed in-house.
  • Conservative optionsInlays and onlays can save more natural tooth than a full crown.
Video transcript and description

This 2 minute 15 second video has no spoken narration. It plays music with on-screen titles naming each piece of equipment.

  1. 0:00 MODJAW: a clinician demonstrates digital jaw-movement tracking on a screen.
  2. 0:09 Carestream CS 9600: a patient stands in the 3D CBCT imaging unit.
  3. 0:18 Fotona LightWalker: the dental laser in use in a treatment room.
  4. 0:27 PRF: a centrifuge used to prepare platelet-rich fibrin.
  5. 0:36 Leica microscope: the dental operating microscope.
  6. 0:45 Tekscan T-Scan: digital bite (occlusion) analysis.
  7. 0:54 Mectron dentistry instruments, and in-house 3D printing equipment.
  8. 1:03 CEREC MC X5: the in-house milling unit.
  9. 1:12 Zoom teeth whitening: whitening gel and LED light, with the lips held back by a retractor.
  10. 1:21 Invisalign: clear aligners.
  11. 1:30 KaVo DIAGNOcam: a near-infrared camera for detecting decay.
  12. 1:39 Tersano Lotus Pro: the aqueous ozone disinfection system.
  13. 1:48 Digital impressions: an intraoral scan shown on a laptop.
  14. 1:57 CEREC Primescan: an intraoral scan on the acquisition unit.
  15. 2:06 EMS Airflow: the cleaning system in use.

Read about our technology

At a glance

Treatment facts

Plain-language answers to common questions. General information only: your dentist will explain your own options, risks and costs after examining you.

Is it right for me?

It may suit you if

  • a tooth is cracked, broken or has a large old filling
  • you need a crown or onlay and would rather avoid a temporary
  • you want fewer visits
  • you find moulds uncomfortable

Worth knowing first

  • Some teeth are better suited to a lab-made crown, for example very complex front teeth or some bridges.
  • Some tooth has to be shaped away, and this can’t be undone.
  • Decay or gum disease needs treating first.

What happens

  1. Check and prepare

    The tooth is numbed and shaped, and any decay is removed.

  2. 3D scan

    A small camera takes a digital impression of your teeth.

    about 5 minutes

  3. Design

    Your dentist designs the restoration on screen to fit your bite.

    about 15 minutes

  4. Milling

    The milling unit carves it from a ceramic block.

    about 15–25 minutes

  5. Finishing

    It is polished, stained and glazed to match your teeth.

    about 20 minutes

  6. Fitting

    It is bonded in place and your bite is checked, often in the same visit.

    visit often 1.5–2.5 hours

Times are typical ranges only and depend on the tooth. Your dentist will tell you what to expect.

Pre-visit checklist

Recovery and aftercare

The first few days

  • The tooth may be a little sensitive or tender for a few days.
  • Wait until the numbness wears off before eating.
  • Call us if your bite feels high.

Looking after it long term

  • Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth.
  • Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
  • Keep up regular check-ups and cleans.

Read the crown aftercare guide

When to call us: ring (08) 9330 7115 if you have pain, a sore spot, sensitivity that isn’t settling, or anything else that worries you.

Risks to know about

Every treatment has some risks. Your dentist will talk you through the ones that apply to you.

  • Sensitivity after the tooth is shaped.
  • Nerve problems in some teeth, which may later need root canal treatment.
  • Chipping or wear of the ceramic over time.
  • Decay at the edges if the area isn’t kept clean.

Ways risk is lowered: a precise digital fit, careful bonding, good cleaning at home and regular check-ups.

Other options

Lab-made crown

Made by a dental lab over 1 to 2 weeks, with a temporary crown in between.

Large filling or onlay

May be enough for some teeth and keeps more of your own tooth.

Removing the tooth

If the tooth can’t be saved. The gap can then be filled with an implant, bridge or denture.

Cost and paying

What affects the cost

  • crown, onlay or veneer
  • the size and position of the tooth
  • any root canal treatment or build-up first
  • X-rays

We can’t give an exact price before we examine you. You’ll get a written, itemised plan and estimate before any treatment starts. Health fund rebates depend on your fund and level of cover.

Paying for a CEREC crown

  • Estimate first. For planned treatment you get a written estimate with item numbers before you start.
  • Claim on the day. Bring your health fund card. We claim on the spot with Tyro, so you pay only the gap.
  • Check your cover. Use the health fund checker to see which item numbers to ask your fund about.
  • Ways to pay. EFTPOS and card, including tap and pay. Payment plans are available through Tyro and are tailored to each patient. Ask us about eligibility, terms and any fees before you start. Fees and payments
Request an appointmentCall (08) 9330 7115
Sources (checked 21 October 2026)
Is a CEREC crown as strong as a lab crown?

Modern milled ceramics are strong and durable. Your dentist will choose a material suited to the tooth and your bite.

How long does it take?

Many single-tooth restorations are completed in one appointment of around two hours. Complex cases may take longer.

Will my health fund cover it?

Crowns are usually claimable under major dental extras cover. Check your policy; you can pay and claim on the spot with Tyro.

Need a crown or broken tooth fixed?

Ask about a same-day CEREC restoration.

Request an appointment(08) 9330 7115Text 0480 012 101