Let's say that you're seeing your dentist for a digitally manufactured crown. The Journal of Dentistry and Oral Care review explains that your dentist will first anesthetize the area and prepare the tooth in question. Then, they will scan the tooth with the CEREC device, which takes a digital impression and use the image to make a computerized design of the crown restoration. Next, they will send the digital design to either a machine in the dental office or a remote dental laboratory where a custom crown will be milled from a solid block of restorative material — usually a type of ceramic.

 

If the final crown is manufactured in the office, it will also be sintered and polished before being bonded to your tooth during your visit. If the restoration was sent to be made at a dental laboratory, your dentist will provide a temporary crown for you to wear until the final restoration can be delivered and placed at a follow-up appointment.