CEREC® Same-Day Dental Crowns in Raleigh, NC
 Getting a dental crown no longer means scheduling two appointments and wearing a temporary for weeks while a lab fabricates your restoration. With CEREC® same-day crown technology at Stansell Dentistry Associates, your custom ceramic crown is designed, milled, and permanently placed in a single visit — often in about two hours. CEREC® stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, and it represents a complete shift in how modern dental crowns are created and delivered.
Traditional crown procedures require messy putty impressions, a temporary crown that can shift or fall off, and a waiting period of one to three weeks while an outside lab manufactures the final restoration. CEREC® eliminates every one of those steps. Using an intraoral scanner, computer-aided design software, and an in-office milling unit, our team creates your permanent crown while you wait. The result is a precise, natural-looking ceramic restoration that fits accurately from the start.
Our team provides CEREC® same-day crowns at all three of our Raleigh metro locations. Visit our Brier Creek CEREC same-day crowns page, North Raleigh CEREC same-day crowns page, or Knightdale CEREC same-day crowns page for location-specific information, or explore our full range of dental services in Raleigh.
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What Is CEREC® Technology?
CEREC® is a CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) system that allows dental professionals to create custom ceramic restorations entirely in-office, without relying on an outside dental laboratory. The system consists of three integrated components: a digital scanner that captures a precise 3D image of your tooth, design software that models the restoration on screen, and a milling unit that carves the crown from a solid block of dental ceramic.
The technology was first introduced in the 1980s and has undergone decades of refinement. Today’s CEREC® system produces restorations with the same accuracy and durability as lab-fabricated crowns, but in a fraction of the time. Because the entire process happens in one location, there is no need for physical impressions, no temporary crown, and no second appointment to seat the permanent restoration.
CEREC® crowns are milled from high-quality ceramic blocks that closely match the translucency, color, and surface texture of natural tooth enamel. Unlike older crown materials that use a metal substructure beneath a porcelain shell, CEREC® restorations are solid ceramic throughout. This produces a more lifelike appearance, particularly on front teeth and premolars where aesthetics are a priority. The same technology is also used to create dental crowns for a wide variety of restorative dentistry situations.
Your Dental Team in Raleigh
The team at Stansell Dentistry Associates has integrated CEREC® technology into everyday practice at all three office locations. Our dental professionals are trained in both the digital design process and the clinical judgment required to determine when a same-day crown is the best solution for a patient’s specific situation.
What sets our approach apart is the level of chairside involvement throughout the process. Your dentist designs your crown on screen while you watch, adjusting the shape, contours, and contact points in real time before milling begins. This collaborative approach ensures the final restoration meets both clinical standards and your personal expectations. Combined with advanced tools like digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, the CEREC® system fits seamlessly into a workflow built around precision and efficiency.
The CEREC® Crown Process
 A CEREC® crown appointment typically takes about two hours from start to finish. Here is what each stage looks like:
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Tooth Preparation — Your dentist numbs the area and carefully removes the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth. The remaining tooth structure is shaped to create a stable foundation for the crown. If the tooth has undergone a root canal, the preparation accounts for any post or core buildup that was placed during endodontic treatment.
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Digital Scanning — Instead of biting into a tray of putty, your dentist uses a handheld intraoral wand to capture a detailed 3D image of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. The scan takes only a few minutes and produces a precise digital model that the CEREC® software uses to design your crown.
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Chairside Design — Using the CEREC® software, your dentist designs the crown on a monitor right next to your chair. The software analyzes the shape, spacing, and bite alignment of your surrounding teeth and generates a restoration that fits naturally into your arch. Your dentist fine-tunes the design before sending it to the milling unit.
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In-Office Milling — The design file is transmitted to the CEREC® milling unit, which carves the crown from a single block of dental-grade ceramic. Milling typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, you can relax in the chair or step into our waiting area.
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Bonding and Final Adjustment — Once milled, the crown is color-matched, polished, and tried in for fit. Your dentist checks the bite from every angle and makes any necessary adjustments. When the fit is confirmed, the crown is permanently bonded to the prepared tooth. A final polish completes the process, and you leave with a fully functional, natural-looking restoration. |
Benefits of CEREC® Same-Day Crowns
 CEREC® crowns offer a number of meaningful advantages over the traditional two-visit crown process:
- Single-Visit Convenience — The most immediate benefit is time. Your crown is designed, fabricated, and permanently placed in one appointment. There is no second visit, no time off work, and no waiting period.
- No Temporary Crown — Traditional procedures require a temporary crown that can crack, loosen, or fall off while you wait for the permanent restoration. CEREC® eliminates temporary crowns entirely, which also eliminates the sensitivity and discomfort they sometimes cause.
- Digital Impressions — The intraoral scanner replaces the messy, gag-inducing putty trays used in traditional impressions. The digital scan is faster, more comfortable, and produces a more accurate model of your tooth.
- High-Quality Ceramic — CEREC® crowns are milled from solid blocks of dental ceramic that are strong, stain-resistant, and closely mimic the appearance of natural enamel. The all-ceramic construction eliminates the dark line at the gumline that metal-based crowns sometimes produce over time.
- Precise Fit — Because the same dentist who prepares your tooth also designs and seats the crown, there is a tighter feedback loop than the traditional method of sending impressions to an outside lab. Adjustments are made in real time, and the fit is verified before you leave.
- Proven Durability — Clinical research has shown that CEREC® restorations perform comparably to traditional lab-fabricated crowns over the long term. The ceramic material resists wear and abrasion, and with proper care, a CEREC® crown can last many years.
When Is a CEREC® Crown Recommended?
CEREC® same-day crowns are appropriate for many of the same situations where a traditional crown would be recommended. Common scenarios include:
A tooth that has been weakened by a large cavity or fracture and cannot be adequately restored with a filling alone. Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment and need full-coverage protection to prevent further breakage. Old, failing crowns that need to be replaced with a new restoration. Teeth with significant cosmetic damage — chips, cracks, or severe discoloration — where a crown provides the most predictable and durable result.
CEREC® crowns also play a role in implant dentistry. When a dental implant has healed and is ready for its final restoration, a CEREC® crown can be fabricated and placed on the same day the impression is taken, reducing the overall treatment timeline.
There are some situations where a traditional lab-fabricated crown may be preferred — for example, complex cases involving multiple adjacent crowns that require highly customized layering by a ceramist. Your dentist evaluates your specific needs during the consultation and recommends the approach that will produce the best outcome.
Why Choose Us for CEREC® Crowns?
Stansell Dentistry Associates has invested in CEREC® technology because it directly improves the patient experience without compromising quality. Having the scanner, software, and milling unit on-site at all three of our offices means we are not dependent on outside lab schedules, and your treatment timeline stays entirely in our hands.
Our team pairs the CEREC® system with other advanced tools — digital x-rays for precise diagnostics, intraoral cameras for detailed chairside images, and soft tissue laser technology for gum procedures that may accompany crown placement. This integrated approach means your treatment is planned, designed, and executed under one roof by the same dental professionals who know your history.
Patient comfort is built into every step. Our offices feature amenities including a coffee and beverage bar, in-chair entertainment, blankets, and warm towels. For patients who experience dental anxiety, we also offer sedation dentistry options to help you stay relaxed throughout the procedure.
CEREC® Crown Cost & Insurance Information
Dental crowns — whether CEREC® or traditional — are classified as a major restorative procedure, and most dental insurance plans cover a significant portion of the cost. The exact amount depends on your plan’s coverage level, annual maximum, and any applicable deductible.
Several factors influence the final price of a CEREC® crown, including the location of the tooth, the extent of preparation required, and whether any additional procedures (such as a core buildup or gum recontouring) are needed before the crown can be placed. Our team provides a transparent cost estimate and verifies your insurance benefits before treatment begins.
We accept MetLife, BCBS, Delta Dental, Ameritas, United Concordia, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Cigna. Our Knightdale office also accepts Medicaid. For patients who need help managing out-of-pocket costs, we offer Sunbit pay-over-time financing and CareCredit. Our in-house membership plans provide discounted rates on restorative services for patients without insurance. Visit our financial and insurance page for full details, or call 984-477-0177 for a personalized cost estimate.
Schedule Your CEREC® Crown Consultation
CEREC® same-day crowns are available at all three of our locations:
Whether you need a crown to protect a weakened tooth, complete a root canal, or restore a dental implant, our team can design and deliver your restoration in a single appointment. Contact any of our offices to schedule your CEREC® consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About CEREC® Same-Day Crowns
How long does a CEREC® crown appointment take?
Most CEREC crown appointments take approximately two hours from start to finish. This includes tooth preparation, digital scanning, crown design, milling, and permanent bonding. The exact time can vary depending on the complexity of the restoration, but even the most involved cases are completed in a single visit. You leave the office with your permanent crown in place.
Are CEREC® crowns as durable as traditional crowns?
Yes. Clinical studies have demonstrated that CEREC restorations perform comparably to traditional lab-fabricated crowns in terms of longevity and resistance to wear. The dental-grade ceramic used in CEREC crowns is strong, stain-resistant, and designed to withstand the forces of daily chewing. With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, a CEREC crown can last many years.
Does getting a CEREC® crown hurt?
The tooth preparation portion of the appointment is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel any discomfort during the procedure. The digital scanning, milling, and bonding stages are all painless. Some patients experience mild sensitivity in the days following crown placement, which typically resolves on its own. Our team provides aftercare instructions to help manage any temporary sensitivity.
Will my CEREC® crown look natural?
CEREC crowns are milled from solid ceramic blocks that closely replicate the translucency, color, and surface texture of natural tooth enamel. Your dentist selects a ceramic shade that matches your surrounding teeth and fine-tunes the shape during the chairside design phase. Because there is no metal substructure, CEREC crowns do not produce the dark line at the gumline that older metal-based crowns sometimes show over time.
Can a CEREC® crown be placed on a dental implant?
Yes. Once a dental implant has fully integrated with the jawbone and the abutment is in place, a CEREC crown can be designed and milled to serve as the visible restoration. This means the final step of the implant process can also be completed in a single appointment, reducing the overall number of visits required to finish your treatment.
Does insurance cover CEREC® crowns?
Most dental insurance plans cover CEREC crowns at the same rate as traditional crowns because the procedure code is the same. Coverage levels vary by plan, but a significant portion of the cost is typically covered under the major restorative category. Our team verifies your benefits and provides a detailed cost estimate before treatment begins so you know exactly what to expect.
How do I care for a CEREC® crown after it is placed?
A CEREC crown requires the same care as your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss around the crown daily, and attend regular dental checkups and cleanings. Avoid using your teeth to open packages or chew on hard objects like ice or pen caps, as these habits can damage any dental restoration. With consistent care, your CEREC crown should provide many years of reliable function and natural appearance.
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