CEREC Same-Day Crowns in Winslow, AZ
Real porcelain crowns, designed and milled in our office, bonded the same day you come in.
How One-Visit Crowns Actually Work
Step One: Digital Scanning
Instead of biting into a tray of impression material, we use a small handheld scanner that creates a precise 3D model of your tooth on the screen. It takes a few minutes, doesn't trigger gag reflexes, and gives Dr. Gardner exact measurements to design from. You'll see your tooth on the monitor right alongside us.
Step Two: In-Office Milling
Dr. Gardner designs your crown on the computer — picking the shape, the bite, and the color match — then sends the design to our in-office milling machine. A small block of dental porcelain becomes your custom crown over the next 15–20 minutes while you wait. You can watch a show, read or listen to music while you wait.
Step Three: Same-Day Placement
Once the crown is milled and polished, Dr. Gardner checks the fit, makes any small adjustments, and bonds it permanently to your tooth. You walk out with the real, final crown — no temporary, no second visit, no waiting. The whole process usually takes about two hours from start to finish.
Common Questions
What is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It’s dental technology that combines digital scanning, computer-aided design, and in-office milling to create a custom porcelain crown in a single appointment. Winslow Dental uses CEREC to deliver same-day crowns for most patients — saving you a second trip and the temporary crown phase.
How much does a CEREC crown cost in Winslow, AZ?
CEREC crowns are typically priced similarly to traditional lab-fabricated crowns — and most dental insurance plans cover them the same way. We'll give you written pricing before treatment. CareCredit and in-house payment plans are available — see Finances & Insurance.
Does getting a crown hurt?
Tooth preparation requires numbing, but the procedure itself isn't painful — Dr. Gardner takes time to make sure you're fully numb. Most patients have only mild sensitivity for a few days after. The scanning and milling steps are completely painless.
How long does a CEREC crown appointment take?
Most CEREC crown appointments take about two hours from start to finish — including numbing, prep, scanning, milling, and bonding. You can bring a book or watch TV during the milling step. Plan a morning or afternoon block for your visit.
Quality, Affordable Dentist in Winslow, AZ
- Emergency Dental Care
- Same Day Crowns
- Braces
- Caring Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CEREC crowns as strong as traditional crowns?
Yes. The porcelain material we use is the same high-quality dental ceramic used in lab-fabricated crowns. The fit is often more precise because the digital scan eliminates impression errors.
Do you ever need to send a crown to a lab instead?
Occasionally. For some unusual cases — multi-unit bridges, very specific cosmetic matches, or patients who request it — we'll use our partner lab. Dr. Gardner will tell you which option fits your tooth before you commit.
Will my insurance cover a CEREC crown?
Most dental insurance plans cover crowns the same way regardless of how they're made. We'll verify your specific coverage before treatment. See Finances & Insurance.





