Temporary Crown vs. CEREC Crown: What's the Difference?
A temporary crown is exactly what it sounds like, a short-term cover placed over a prepared tooth while your final crown is being made at a dental laboratory.
The process usually involves two appointments. During the first visit, your tooth is prepared, digital scans or impressions are taken, and a temporary crown is placed. The dental lab then creates the permanent restoration. Once it's ready, you'll come back to have the final crown bonded into place.
Temporary crowns play an important role during that waiting period. They help protect the tooth and maintain its position between visits. Still, they're not meant to last for months. It's not unusual for people to be a little cautious while chewing sticky foods or flossing around a temporary crown until the permanent one is placed.
CEREC crowns skip the waiting period that comes with sending work to an outside lab.
Using digital scanning technology, Dr. Chris McKinney can design and create many crowns right in the Poway office during a single appointment. After capturing a detailed 3D image of the tooth, the information is used to design the restoration, and an in-office milling machine shapes the crown from a ceramic block.
Instead of leaving with a temporary crown and another appointment on the calendar, many patients leave with their final restoration the same day.
If you're curious about the technology behind the process, our CEREC technology page explains how digital impressions and in-office milling work together to create custom crowns. You can also visit our Same-Day Crowns page for a closer look at what treatment involves.
Convenience is often part of the conversation.
Traditional crowns typically mean coordinating two appointments around work schedules, school pickups, or everyday responsibilities. Same-day crowns simplify that process by allowing treatment to happen during one visit.
There's also the practical side of avoiding a temporary crown. Since the final restoration is often placed before you leave the office, you don't have to think about temporary cement or wonder if you'll need to avoid certain foods for the next couple of weeks.
Technology doesn't replace good clinical judgment, but it can make treatment more efficient when it's the right fit.
Yes.
Even with advances in same-day dentistry, traditional laboratory-made crowns still have their place. The location of the tooth, the type of restoration needed, and material considerations can all influence the recommendation.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Some situations benefit from CEREC technology. Others are better suited to a lab-fabricated crown. During your visit, Dr. McKinney will explain the reasoning behind the recommendation so you understand why a particular approach makes sense for your situation.
Several factors help determine the best option, including:
This conversation isn't just about speed. It's about choosing a restoration that works well for your specific needs and long-term oral health goals.
Temporary crowns are intended to be worn until the permanent restoration is ready. In many cases, that's around one to three weeks, although timelines can vary depending on the treatment plan.
Many same-day crown appointments take around two hours from start to finish. Our Same-Day Crowns page provides more details about what happens during the process.
CEREC crowns are made from strong ceramic materials designed to restore both function and appearance. Your dentist will determine if this type of restoration is appropriate for your situation.
Yes. They're crafted from tooth-colored ceramic materials designed to blend with surrounding teeth.
Often, yes. However, there are circumstances where a traditional approach remains the better option, even when same-day technology is available.
If you need a crown and aren't sure which option makes sense for you, a conversation with your dentist can help clear things up. Understanding the differences between traditional crowns and same-day CEREC crowns makes it easier to know what to expect before treatment begins.
To learn more about available treatment options or request an appointment, visit the McKinney Family Dentistry.