Chip a tooth on a Tuesday and the old-school fix usually meant two appointments: one to take an impression and fit a temporary, another a couple of weeks later once the lab sent back your permanent crown. A CEREC dentist in Encino can shortcut that entire process and hand you a finished, permanent restoration before you leave the chair.
At The Dental Office Encino, Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard have built CEREC into how they handle crowns, bridges, and a handful of other restorations. Here’s what that actually means for your appointment.
What CEREC Actually Is
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, though almost nobody calls it that out loud. In plain terms, it’s a system that scans your tooth digitally, designs the restoration on a computer, and mills it out of a ceramic block right there in the office.
No putty impression, no waiting on a dental lab, no second numbing appointment. The whole design-to-placement process happens in one visit, start to finish.
What a CEREC Restoration Can Fix
CEREC isn’t limited to crowns. Dr. Howard and Dr. Howard also use the system to create custom bridges, onlays, inlays, and veneers, depending on what your tooth actually needs. A cracked molar, a large old filling that’s breaking down, or a tooth that needs cosmetic reshaping can all be candidates.
It’s also a natural fit for dental emergencies. If you chip or crack a tooth and don’t want to walk around with a temporary for two weeks, same-day CEREC treatment can often get you a finished restoration that same day.
Why Skipping the Lab Matters
Traditional restorations go through an outside dental lab, which is where most of the waiting happens. CEREC keeps that entire step in-house, which means your treatment timeline depends on your schedule, not a shipping window.
It also means fewer chances for something to shift between visits. There’s no temporary crown that can come loose, no gap between the temporary and the permanent where a tooth is more sensitive than usual, and no second round of numbing.
What Your Visit Looks Like
Your appointment starts the same way a crown appointment always has: an exam, then prepping the tooth. From there, instead of a physical impression, Dr. Howard takes a digital scan and designs your restoration chairside.
The CEREC system mills the restoration from a ceramic block while you wait. Dr. Howard then polishes, fits, and adjusts it before bonding it into place. The visit length depends on the restoration’s size and complexity. You leave with the finished restoration rather than a temporary placeholder.
Caring for a CEREC Restoration Afterward
A CEREC restoration is cared for the same way as any other crown or bridge: regular brushing and flossing, plus your usual twice-yearly cleanings and yearly exam. At those visits, Dr. Howard checks the fit and the margin to catch any wear early.
With good care, these restorations can hold up well for years, the same as a traditional lab-made crown. The difference is almost entirely in how you got there, not in the day-to-day upkeep.
Find a CEREC Dentist in Encino Near You
If a broken tooth or an old filling has you dreading a multi-visit ordeal, ask about CEREC at your next appointment. Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard have been treating Encino families since 1991, along with neighbors in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills.
Call The Dental Office Encino at 818-300-0333 or visit 17071 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 102, Encino, CA 91316 to schedule your visit.
