CEREC Vs. Traditional Crowns: The Pros And Cons

If you need a crown in Lafayette or Louisville, you may be wondering whether to choose a traditional lab-made crown or a CEREC same-day crown. The team at Life Dentistry wants to keep you informed about all of your options, so we’ve created a pro and con list of lab-made and same-day crowns. Here’s everything you need to know:  

Cerec pros & cons

CEREC crowns are made in our office by a specialized computer and CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/manufacturing) machine. After your mouth is scanned, Dr. Martin will load a block of porcelain into the machine, then design your crown. The porcelain is immediately cut into shape and it can be placed on your tooth right away.  

Here are the pros

  • CEREC crowns are extremely convenient and only require a single appointment at our office
  • You don’t need to wear a temporary crown to protect your tooth while you wait for your crown to be made
  • CEREC does not require uncomfortable dental impressions, since it uses an advanced 3D scanner

Some cons to consider

  • CEREC crowns can’t be used for every damaged tooth. For example, a tooth broken below the gumline can’t be scanned with the CEREC scanner, so a traditional crown will be required
  • CEREC crowns may not match your teeth as perfectly as a lab-made crown
  • Your CEREC crown will have less fine detail as compared to a lab-made crown

Traditional (lab-made) crowns pros & cons

Traditionally, crowns have been made at an outside dental lab. After Dr. Martin prepares your tooth, he will take images and dental impressions that will be sent to a trusted third-party lab. Then, your custom crown will be built. This usually takes between 2-3 weeks, and you’ll need to come into Life Dentistry for 2 appointments to complete your crown procedure.  

Here are the pros

  • Lab-made crowns usually use a porcelain-fused-to-metal design that is extremely durable
  • A lab-made crown will typically have a finer level of detail and match your teeth more closely
  • Traditional crowns are usually (but not always) a less costly option compared to CEREC

And some cons to consider

  • You’ll have to wait 2-3 weeks between appointments and wear a temporary crown in the meantime
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can cause a dark line to show near the gums, particularly if the gums recede, impacting aesthetics
  • If your crown does not fit perfectly, adjusting it and changing it may take longer 

Is a cerec or traditional crown right for me? find out at life dentistry!

Still not sure whether a CEREC crown or a traditional, lab-made crown is right for you? At Life Dentistry, Dr. Martin is here to help. During a consultation, Dr. Martin will examine your mouth, determine if you need a dental crown, and help you decide if a CEREC crown or a lab-made crown is a better option for you. 

By considering your budget, oral health, and personal preferences, we can choose the treatment that’s right for you. Contact us now at (970) 289-5433 to get started, or stop by our office at 110 Old Laramie Trail, Unit 100, Lafayette, CO 80026 for more information.

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