A New Smile Doesn’t Have to Take Weeks
If you’ve ever been told you need a dental crown, you may have pictured multiple appointments, messy impressions, and weeks of wearing a temporary restoration while waiting for your permanent crown to arrive. With same-day CEREC crowns, you can restore a damaged tooth in a single visit and leave the office with a fully renewed smile.
At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Lopez utilizes advanced CEREC technology to design, create, and place dental crowns during a single appointment. Digital scanning replaces traditional impressions, allowing for a precise fit while making your visit more comfortable from start to finish.
Contact our Spokane dentist at (509) 466-1200 to schedule your consultation and determine if a same-day crown is the right solution for your smile. We welcome patients throughout Spokane and welcome individuals and families from nearby Mead, Colbert, and Five Mile Prairie.
Why Patients Choose Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Lopez combines advanced digital dentistry with a patient-centered approach that focuses on preserving natural teeth whenever possible.
Patients appreciate receiving preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental care in one convenient Spokane location. Whether you need a same-day CEREC crown after a cracked tooth or are restoring a tooth following root canal therapy, our team works to make your experience comfortable and efficient.
When you choose Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, you’ll benefit from:
- Advanced CEREC same-day technology
- Digital scanning for improved comfort
- Comprehensive restorative dentistry
- Honest treatment recommendations
- A welcoming, family-friendly environment
- Convenient care close to home in Spokane
What Is a Same-Day CEREC Crown?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It represents a modern method of crafting high-strength, tooth-colored ceramic crowns directly in the dental office while you wait.
A dental crown acts as a protective cover that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth’s original structural shape, bite alignment, strength, and appearance. Traditional crowns require an outside dental laboratory to craft the final porcelain piece, which takes two to three weeks. CEREC technology brings the entire manufacturing facility directly to our North Spokane office.
Benefits of Single-Visit Dental Crowns
1. Saves Your Valuable Time
Traditional crown procedures require at least two separate office visits, requiring you to take off work twice, arrange extra childcare, or adjust your busy schedule. With CEREC technology, your crown preparation and permanent placement can occur in a single appointment.
2. Eliminates Temporary Crowns
Temporary plastic crowns placed during traditional procedures are notorious for falling off, breaking, or leaking while eating. They often cause localized tooth sensitivity and force you to restrict your diet for weeks. CEREC crowns eliminate the need for a temporary cap.
3. Mess-Free Digital Impressions
Many patients struggle with the gag reflex associated with cold, thick dental impression trays. The CEREC 3D digital camera glides comfortably over your teeth, capturing precise electronic measurements without messy trays or unpleasant tastes.
4. Natural-Looking Aesthetics and Superior Strength
CEREC crowns are sculpted from single blocks of durable ceramic material that mimic the natural translucency, light reflectivity, and shade variations of natural enamel. They bond securely to your tooth, creating a seal that protects the underlying tooth structure.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
Dr. Lopez recommends a dental crown when a tooth lacks sufficient natural structure to support a standard tooth filling. Common reasons for receiving a CEREC crown include:
- Restoring a Cracked or Fractured Tooth: Enamel fractures require structural reinforcement to prevent deep splits from reaching the tooth root.
- Protecting a Tooth After Root Canal Therapy: Root canal treatment removes internal tissue, leaving the remaining tooth wall brittle. A crown restores complete biting power.
- Replacing Large, Failing Amalgam Fillings: Old metal fillings can expand and contract over time, causing stress cracks in neighboring enamel.
- Severe Enamel Wear: Teeth worn down by chronic nighttime grinding or acid erosion benefit from structural rebuilding.
- Covering Severe Tooth Discoloration or Misshapen Teeth: Crowns serve cosmetic purposes by concealing dark, permanently stained enamel.
How Same-Day CEREC Technology Works with Dr. Lopez
Receiving a same-day ceramic crown at Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is a smooth, efficient experience. Here is what you can expect during your appointment with Dr. Lopez:
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Tooth Preparation & Numbing:
Dr. Lopez numbs the area around your affected tooth with a gentle local anesthetic. Any compromised tooth structure, old filling material, or decay is removed, shaping the tooth to hold the crown securely.
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3D Digital Optical Impression
Instead of biting down on messy, uncomfortable impression putty, Dr. Lopez uses the CEREC Omnicam digital scanner. This handheld camera captures thousands of high-definition 3D photos of your tooth and jaw geometry in seconds.
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Computer-Guided Crown Design:
Using specialized 3D CAD software, Dr. Lopez custom-designs your permanent crown on a computer screen. The digital model accounts for your natural bite force, adjacent teeth contours, and aesthetic alignment.
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Precision Milling & Polishing:
The digital design file sends precise measurements to our in-office milling machine. In as little as 15 to 20 minutes, a solid block of high-grade, tooth-colored ceramic is sculpted into your custom crown. Dr. Lopez then polishes and glazes the ceramic to match your natural tooth shade.
5. Permanent Bonding & Final Fitting:
Dr. Lopez checks the fit, shape, and bite of the finished ceramic crown. Once approved, the crown is permanently bonded to your tooth, giving you immediate strength and functionality before you walk out the door.
Caring for Your New CEREC Crown
Although ceramic crowns are designed for durability, proper home care helps extend their lifespan.
Dr. Lopez recommends:
- Brushing twice each day
- Flossing around the crown daily
- Avoiding chewing ice
- Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth
- Scheduling routine dental cleanings
- Visiting promptly if your bite feels different
Healthy habits help protect both your crown and your surrounding natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a same-day CEREC crown appointment take?
Most same-day CEREC crown appointments take about two hours, although treatment time varies depending on the condition of the tooth and the complexity of the restoration. During your visit, Dr. Lopez will prepare the tooth, capture digital scans, design your crown, mill it in the office, and place it before you leave. This streamlined process allows many patients to complete treatment in a single appointment.
Are CEREC crowns as durable as traditional crowns?
Yes. CEREC crowns are crafted from high-quality ceramic materials designed to withstand everyday chewing and biting forces. With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, many CEREC crowns provide reliable, long-lasting performance while maintaining a natural appearance.
Will my same-day crown look natural?
CEREC crowns are carefully designed to blend with your surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color. Dr. Lopez uses digital technology and artistic attention to detail to create a restoration that complements your smile. Many patients find it difficult to distinguish their new crown from their natural teeth.
How do I care for my CEREC crown?
Caring for a same-day CEREC crown is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Brush twice daily, floss every day, and continue visiting Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for routine exams and professional cleanings. Avoid chewing hard objects like ice or pens, and let Dr. Lopez know if your bite feels uncomfortable or if you notice any changes with your restoration.
Restore Your Smile in Just One Visit
A damaged tooth can affect much more than your appearance—it can make eating uncomfortable, impact your confidence, and interrupt your daily routine. With same-day CEREC crowns, you no longer have to wait weeks to restore your smile.
Whether you live in Spokane, Mead, Colbert, or Five Mile Prairie, our team is here to help you protect your smile with high-quality dental care. Call our Spokane dental office at (509) 466-1200 to schedule your consultation and discover how a same-day CEREC crown can restore your smile without the wait.