Whichever way you look at – here in Australia at least – dental crowns are expensive averaging between $1100 -$2000 per crown. So you would imagine then that the Cerec crown cost – an all-digital repair system that allows us to fabricate custom-made dental crowns right here at our clinic – would be way more expensive, but you’d be wrong!
In fact, despite the cutting-edge Cerec technology involved in the production of this restoration, most patients see only a minimal difference in price. So how come?
To answer this, we need to first look at the process of making a conventional dental crown vs a Cerec crown…
Firstly a conventional crown
The practice of fitting a traditional dental crown is normally carried out over a minimum of two visits. On the first visit, impressions are taken, and a mould is then sent to a dental lab who will fabricate your new restoration. In the meantime, a temporary crown may be fitted. After several weeks the permanent crown is usually ready to be placed, so the patient will need to come in some weeks later for a final fitting.
If there are any problems with the fitting of the crown, it needs to be shipped back to the dental lab so that they can make any necessary adjustments, meaning that the patient will have to wait longer.
Naturally, a proportion of the crown costs will go towards paying the dental lab for fabrication. So, depending upon the materials used, the dental crown costs that a lab will charge can be anything from $200 for a low-end crown to around $700 for a high-end restoration. That’s anywhere between 20% and 35% of the cost.
Now let’s look at how Cerec crown restorations are carried out, and the Cerec crown costs involved.
The acronym CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Crowns and as the name suggests, everything is carried out by the dentist within the dental clinic. This includes digital impression taking, design, and fabrication.
The technology involves first taking a quick and easy scan of the mouth. This is carried out digitally, so there is no messy and uncomfortable alginate involved. This information is then fed directly into a computer program and from this, using CAD/CAM technology – a milling machine located within the dental clinic will cut a perfectly fitting natural-looking crown. In a little over 1 hour, the permanent crown is ready to be fitted. No waiting around, just same-day service!
But what about the Cerec Crown costs?
Of course, all this technology has to be paid for, and you’re right in thinking that it doesn’t come cheap. However, what the dentist doesn’t have to do is to pay a lab technician to fabricate it. In effect, when it comes down to crown costs, one method balances out the other and you’ll probably only pay a fraction more for a quality, lifelike Cerec crown that delivers optimal convenience. When you factor in this time-saving element, Cerec crowns can offer great value for money.
Even though Cerec crowns cost minimally more, there are some good reasons for paying that little bit extra.
Dental crown materials
As you probably know, traditional crowns can be made using a number of materials including porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), Zirconia, all-ceramic, or other metals, with each one having its advantages and disadvantages. However, when it comes to flawless aesthetic design and functionality, quality all-ceramic restorations are better on so many levels. Cerec technology is designed to produce lifelike all-ceramic crowns right here in the dental clinic.
All-digital restorations mean less room for error
Conventional restorations require the patient to bite down onto gloopy alginate to produce a mould. The laboratory then takes this mould and makes the dental crown based on the impression. The problem is that it isn’t a fool-proof method. Often impressions need to be captured more than once and even then it can be difficult to ensure complete accuracy until the dental crown arrives back in the clinic.
Conversely, with Cerec crowns, the entire process is digital, including impression taking, so patients experience no discomfort. Moreover, there is less room for error. Even when errors occur, they are far less time consuming and easier to correct because patients don’t have to wait for their restoration to once again return from the dental lab. Everything is done in-house, meaning that Cerec crowns can be fitted and minutely adjusted quickly and conveniently.
So while Cerec crowns cost a fraction or so more than the conventional methods, they are arguably better in every single way.
To find out more about what Cerec crown cost, why not pay a visit to No Gaps Dental. With 15 dental clinics located in and around the Sydney Metro area, we offer convenient, cost-effective dentistry without compromise. Check out our locations page to seek out the best dentist for your needs.