CEREC – 3D instant teeth

Same-day crowns that fit better, look nicer, and last longer

No more waiting! With CEREC, we can make and fit your crown in one visit.

What are the advantages of CEREC crowns?

CEREC (which is both an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, and short for CEramic REConstruction) is an amazing advance in tooth restoration technology. Gone are the days of having impressions made of your half-treated tooth, then waiting for a week with a temporary crown that you can’t chew on, before returning to have your permanent crown fitted. CEREC enables us to do your entire treatment in one session, which is normally no longer than 90 minutes. One appointment, one injection, and a much smaller bill! CEREC crowns also fit better and last longer than traditional crowns.

What do I need to know about CEREC crowns?

When you come in for your new crown, we’ll take incredibly accurate 3D images of your tooth with our toothbrush-sized CEREC Omnicam. Next, we’ll numb your tooth and get it ready for the new crown. After that, you get to relax while we analyse your scan and generate 3D images of your new restoration. We feed those images into the CEREC grinding and milling unit so it can make your new crown right here in the Natural Smile surgery. Finally, we tweak the colour with ceramic paint, so it matches your other teeth perfectly. Once we’re happy with the finished product, we cement your crown in place.

What other treatments are available?

Depending on your situation, some of the following treatment options might be recommended to transform your smile.

Featured
Dentures
Dentures

Restoring your Natural Smile when you have lost your teeth

If tooth loss is causing you embarrassment or difficulty, custom-made dentures could be the solution.

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Full mouth rebuild
Full mouth rebuild

Recreating your natural smile

If you have widespread dental damage, a full mouth rebuild can reconstruct your teeth and the supporting structures.

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Braces
Braces

The time-proven treatment for crooked or overcrowded teeth

If you’re self-conscious about crooked teeth, or a misaligned bite is affecting your health, dental braces could be the perfect solution.

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Crowns
Crowns

Whole tooth restoration to improve your smile

If a decayed or broken tooth is ruining your smile, a crown can make it good as new again.

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Bridges
Bridges

Replace missing teeth and restore your smile

You don’t have to put up with a gap in your smile. Dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth.

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Veneers
Veneers

Permanently restore your chipped, worn, or stained teeth

Transform your smile forever with natural-looking veneers that improve the colour and shape of your teeth.

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Natural Smile makeover
Natural Smile makeover

We can give you the smile you’ve always wanted

A beautiful new smile can transform your entire face, restoring your confidence and self-esteem.

Read More →
An attractive woman smiles confidently, showing her healthy and strong teeth after a visit to dentist, Dr Dave Richards, of Natural Smile Dental St Heliers, Auckland.
The luxurious, clean, quality Natural Smile Dental clinic in St Heliers, Auckland provides dental and cosmetic services using advanced technology for a stress-free dentist visit.

Common questions about CEREC 3D instant teeth

  • Unlike traditional crowns, which are metal with a porcelain cap, CEREC crowns are made entirely of porcelain. That means they look better, because metal-based crowns often have a dark line running along the base of the crown where it meets the gum.

  • Before CEREC scanning technology became available, your dentist would have to make a mould of your damaged tooth using an impression tray – a process many patients found uncomfortable. This mould would then be used to create your crown. Digital scanning is much more accurate, resulting in a crown that fits your tooth perfectly and makes it harder for bacteria to sneak in.

  • A CEREC crown will, on average, last 12 to 15 years, but with proper care, it could last much longer – up to 30 years if you look after it extremely well. Ways to extend the life of your CEREC crown include wearing a fitted mouthguard if you play contact sports and not chewing on hard objects like ice cubes.

  • The porcelain that we use to create CEREC crowns is very stain-resistant, but it can discolour over time, just like your normal teeth. You can help to keep your crown looking like new by limiting your intake of highly coloured foods and drinks, especially things containing tannins like tea, coffee, and red wine.

  • Caring for your CEREC crown is just like caring for your teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft brush, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleaning. With a crown, some of your original tooth may still be exposed at the base, so be sure to keep that area clean and free of plaque.

  • On average, a Natural Smile porcelain crown will cost between $1350 and $1950. The exact cost may vary depending on the condition of your tooth and how complex the crown is to fit.