403 West Windsor Road, Champaign, IL 61820.

What Is Cerec and How Does It Work?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It's an advanced dental technology that allows us to design and manufacture a custom ceramic crown right here in our Champaign office, while you wait. No outside dental lab. No temporary crown to manage for weeks. No second visit to get your permanent restoration placed.
Using a small intraoral camera, we take a precise digital scan of your tooth, no messy traditional impressions required. That scan is used to create a 3D digital model of your crown, which is then milled from a solid block of high-quality ceramic right in our office. The result is a strong, natural-looking crown that fits precisely and matches the color of your surrounding teeth.
From start to finish, the entire process typically takes just one appointment and most of that time you're simply relaxing in the chair.
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Do You Need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength, function, and appearance. Crowns are one of the most versatile restorations in dentistry and are recommended in a wide range of situations.
You may need a crown if you have:
- A tooth with a large cavity that is too extensive for a filling to repair
- A cracked or fractured tooth that is at risk of breaking further
- A tooth that has been weakened by decay, grinding, or wear
- A tooth that has recently undergone a root canal
- A broken or severely worn-down tooth
- An existing crown that is failing, cracked, or no longer fitting properly
- A tooth that needs to be restored as part of a dental implant
Your Same Day Crown, Step by Step
Examination & Treatment Planning
Prepare the Tooth
Digital Scan
Design Your Crown
Mill the Crown
Color & Finish
Place & Bond
CEREC Same Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns
Traditional Crown Process
- Appointment 1: Tooth preparation, traditional impressions, temporary crown placed
- Wait 2–3 weeks for an outside dental lab to manufacture the crown
- Appointment 2: Temporary crown removed, permanent crown fitted and cemented
- Risk of temporary crown coming loose or breaking in between visits
CEREC Same Day Crown Process
- Single appointment. Same-day results
- Digital scan replaces messy traditional impressions
- Crown designed, milled, and placed, all in our Champaign office
- No temporary crown needed
- No lab wait time
- Leave with your permanent restoration the same day
Why Wait Weeks When You Can Be Done Today?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Same Day CEREC Crowns
How long does a CEREC crown appointment take?
Most CEREC crown appointments take between two and four hours from start to finish, depending on the complexity of your case. While that's a longer single appointment than a traditional crown prep visit, you're leaving with your permanent crown already placed — no second visit required.
Are CEREC crowns as strong and durable as traditional crowns?
Yes. CEREC crowns are milled from high-quality dental ceramic that is both strong and durable. With proper care — regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits — a CEREC crown can last 10 to 15 years or more, comparable to traditionally manufactured crowns.
Do CEREC crowns look natural?
Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of CEREC ceramic crowns is their natural appearance. The ceramic material closely mimics the translucency and color of natural tooth enamel, and we custom-shade each crown to match your surrounding teeth. Most people won't be able to tell the difference between your crown and your natural teeth.
Is the CEREC process painful?
No. The tooth preparation step is performed under local anesthetic, so you'll be comfortable throughout. Some mild sensitivity in the area for a day or two after placement is normal and typically resolves quickly.
Does insurance cover CEREC crowns?
Most dental insurance plans that cover traditional crowns will also cover CEREC crowns, as the clinical outcome is the same. Coverage varies by plan, so our team will verify your benefits before your appointment and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs. We also offer CareCredit financing for patients who need flexible payment options.
Can any tooth be restored with a CEREC crown?
CEREC is suitable for most crown restorations, but not every clinical situation. During your exam, we'll assess the tooth and let you know whether a same-day CEREC crown is the right choice for your specific case. If it is, we can often complete the procedure the same day.
What should I do if my existing crown is damaged or failing?
Call us as soon as possible. A damaged or failing crown can leave the underlying tooth vulnerable to further decay or fracture. We'll evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action — which may include replacing it with a new CEREC crown in a single visit.
How do I care for my CEREC crown?
Care for your CEREC crown the same way you care for your natural teeth — brush twice daily, floss regularly, and come in for routine cleanings and checkups. Avoid chewing on very hard objects like ice or hard candy, and if you grind your teeth at night, let us know — a nightguard can help protect both your crown and your natural teeth.