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CEREC® Same-Day Crowns
Don't Wait Weeks for a Crown

With CEREC, we can plan, design, and fabricate a dental crown in just one appointment.

CEREC® Same-Day Crowns | Dentist

CEREC® Same-Day Crowns

A traditional dental crown typically means two appointments, a temporary crown in between, and a second round of anesthesia when the permanent crown arrives from the lab. For busy professionals or Georgia State students in downtown Atlanta, that kind of schedule is genuinely difficult to manage. CEREC® technology changes that.

CEREC Same-Day Crowns

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a digital system that allows Dr. Thomas W. Kauffman to design, mill, and place a custom ceramic crown during a single appointment. Digital impressions replace traditional molds, CAD software designs the crown to fit your tooth precisely, and an in-office milling unit fabricates it from a solid ceramic block while you wait. The result? You leave with your final restoration in place on the same day.

Benefits of Same-Day Crowns

The most obvious benefit is time. One appointment instead of two means one round of anesthesia, no temporary crown to manage, and no second visit to fit into your schedule. If you're getting a crown combined with other treatments under sedation, the efficiency is even greater.

Digital design also improves precision. Because Dr. Kauffman works from a 3D scan rather than a physical mold, the fit is more accurate and requires fewer adjustments at placement. The ceramic material used in CEREC restorations is strong, biocompatible, and designed to blend with surrounding teeth in color and translucency.

To find out if a same-day crown is right for you, call us at (404) 524-1981 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kauffman.

When Is a Dental Crown Necessary

Dr. Kauffman may recommend a crown in several situations where a tooth needs protection, restoration, or replacement.
Protect a Weakened Tooth
Decay, a large filling, or a root canal can leave a tooth vulnerable to fracture.
Restore a Broken or Damaged Tooth
A crown rebuilds a tooth that has cracked, fractured, or worn down significantly.
Complete a Dental Implant
A crown attaches to the implant abutment to create the visible, functional tooth.
Support a Dental Bridge
Crowns on adjacent teeth anchor a bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth.
Protect a Root-Canaled Tooth
Root canal treatment leaves a tooth more brittle. A crown helps protect it long-term.
Improve a Tooth's Appearance
Severely discolored, misshapen, or poorly positioned teeth can be restored with a crown.

Frequently Asked Questions

CEREC crowns are durable, but how you care for them affects how long they last. Here is what Dr. Kauffman recommends:

  • Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily, paying close attention to the gumline around the crown where plaque tends to collect.
  • Be careful with hard and sticky foods. Chewing ice, hard candies, or sticky foods can put unnecessary stress on the crown and risk dislodging or damaging it. Avoid using your teeth to open packaging.
  • Ask about a nightguard if you grind your teeth. Bruxism places significant force on restorations over time. If Dr. Kauffman notices signs of grinding or clenching, he may recommend a nightguard to protect your crown and surrounding teeth.
  • Limit staining substances. Although ceramic crowns resist staining better than natural enamel in some respects, limiting coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco helps maintain the appearance of both the crown and your surrounding teeth.
  • Keep your regular appointments. Routine cleanings and exams allow Dr. Kauffman to monitor the crown, check the margins, and catch any concerns before they become larger problems.

Contact Us If Something Feels Off

If you notice sensitivity, a change in your bite, or any discomfort around the crown, call our Downtown Atlanta dental office at (404) 524-1981. Early attention usually means a simpler fix.

How CEREC Crowns Work

The entire process for getting a same-day crown happens during one appointment at our downtown Atlanta dental office. Here is what to expect:

Digital Impressions

Rather than taking traditional molds with impression material, Dr. Kauffman uses an intraoral scanner to capture a precise 3D image of your tooth and surrounding teeth. This approach is faster, more comfortable, and produces a more accurate digital model than traditional messy impressions.

Crown Design

Dr. Kauffman uses CAD software to design your crown on-screen from the digital impression. He controls the shape, contours, and fit, making adjustments to ensure the crown works with your bite and matches your surrounding teeth. This stage is where the clinical judgment behind a well-fitting crown happens.

Milling Your New Crown

Once the design is finalized, Dr. Kauffman sends it to the in-office milling unit, which carves the crown from a solid ceramic block. The process takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The ceramic material is biocompatible, durable, and closely matches the natural color and translucency of your teeth.

Placing the Final Crown

Dr. Kauffman checks the fit and appearance of the crown before bonding it to your tooth with dental cement. He makes any final adjustments to your bite, then polishes the crown. You leave the appointment with a permanent restoration in place.

Our Team

  •  Thomas W. Kauffman DDS, PC

    Thomas W. Kauffman DDS, PC

    Dr. Kauffman’s foundation in dentistry is built on a rigorous and distinguished educational background.

    He earned his undergraduate degree at North Central College before going on to complete his dental degree at Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois, one of the most respected dental programs in the country. Following graduation, Dr. Kauffman completed a comprehensive General Practice Residency (GPR) at Reynolds Army Hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he gained advanced clinical experience across a broad range of dental disciplines.

    Dr. Kauffman then honorably served his country on active duty ...

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CEREC® Same-Day Crowns Technology

CEREC® Same-Day Crowns

CEREC® Same-Day Crowns

CEREC technology allows Dr. Kauffman to design, mill, and place a custom ceramic crown or restoration during a single appointment using CAD/CAM software and an in-office milling unit. We use it for same-day crowns as well as other restorative work. Using this process, we eliminate temporary restorations, second appointments, and second round of anesthesia. You walk out the same day with your permanent restoration already in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do CEREC crowns last?

With proper care and regular dental visits, CEREC crowns can last as long as traditionally fabricated crowns; typically 10 to 15 years or more. Factors like bite force, oral hygiene habits, and whether you grind your teeth will affect longevity. Dr. Kauffman monitors your crown at each visit and will let you know if anything needs attention.

Are same-day crowns as strong as traditional crowns?

Yes. The ceramic blocks used in CEREC milling are the same high-quality materials used in traditional lab-fabricated ceramic crowns. In some respects, the digital design process improves fit compared to conventional impressions, which can reduce stress on the crown over time. 

What if I feel anxious about dental treatment?

Dental anxiety is common, and it should not stop you from getting a crown you need. Dr. Kauffman offers nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation for patients who want help relaxing during treatment. Sedation also makes it possible to combine a crown with other procedures in a single visit, which can further reduce the total number of appointments you need.

Schedule Your Appointment in Downtown Atlanta

If you need a crown and want to take care of it in a single visit, Dr. Kauffman can walk you through whether a CEREC restoration is right for your situation. Call us at (404) 524-1981 to schedule your appointment at our downtown Atlanta practice.

Testimonial - Dr. Chin's Experience with Dr. Kauffman