You’ve probably heard the word “CEREC” at the dental office and wondered what it actually means. It’s simpler than it sounds: an entire restoration can be designed and made within a single visit, so you don’t need to come back for a second appointment.
From scan to digital design
It all starts with the Primescan 2, the intraoral scanner that replaces old, uncomfortable impression materials. Instead of biting into a paste that needs to set in your mouth, the dentist glides a small wand over your teeth, and within minutes an accurate 3D model appears on screen. The restoration is designed on this model, either right there in the office or together with a specialised dental laboratory.
The restoration is made while you wait
Next comes CEREC by Dentsply Sirona: a machine that mills the restoration from a ceramic or composite block, built precisely from the digital design. The workflow is predictable and needs minimal technique sensitivity, meaning fewer surprises and a more consistent result. Most importantly for you: there’s no temporary restoration to “hold” you over until the next visit, and no second appointment to place the final piece. You walk in, and you walk out with your finished restoration already in place.
Why we call it one visit dentistry
One visit dentistry isn’t just a convenient shortcut, it makes for a calmer experience overall. Fewer visits mean less time spent waiting, less repeated anaesthesia, and less time away from your day. And because the entire process is digital, from scan to placement, you get to see the result take shape before you even leave the chair.