A custom ceramic crown — designed, milled, and fitted in a single appointment. No temporary crowns, no goopy impressions, no second visit. That is the CEREC difference at Kippax Dental.
Book a CEREC AppointmentCEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system that allows Dr George Liao to create custom ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays right here in our Holt practice — while you wait.
Instead of taking messy putty impressions and sending them to an external lab (which traditionally takes two or more weeks), CEREC uses a 3D digital scan of your tooth to design and mill your restoration on-site. The entire process — from scan to cemented crown — is completed in approximately one to two hours.
Kippax Dental is one of the few practices in the Canberra region offering this technology, and Dr Liao has extensive experience with the CEREC system.
Four steps, one appointment. Here is how it works.
Dr Liao uses a 3D intraoral scanner to capture a precise digital impression of your tooth. No putty, no gagging — just a small wand passed over your teeth for about a minute.
The 3D scan feeds directly into the CEREC software, where Dr Liao designs your crown on-screen. He adjusts the shape, contacts, and bite to ensure a precise fit with your surrounding teeth.
The design is sent to our on-site milling unit, which carves your crown from a solid block of high-quality ceramic. Milling takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Dr Liao checks the fit, colour, and bite of your new crown, makes any final adjustments, and permanently bonds it to your tooth. You walk out with a finished restoration.
No need to take time off for a second appointment. Your crown is completed in one sitting.
3D scanning and computer-aided design provide a level of accuracy that matches or exceeds traditional lab-made crowns.
Dr Liao uses the Pro Ergo microscope during preparation and fitting, ensuring optimal margins and a seamless result.
See how same-day CEREC crowns compare to the traditional two-visit approach.
One appointment instead of two. No waiting weeks for a lab to make your crown.
No goopy putty impressions and no temporary crown that can dislodge or feel awkward.
Digital scanning and CAD design produce restorations with excellent marginal accuracy.
CEREC ceramic closely matches natural tooth colour and translucency for a seamless appearance.
A typical CEREC appointment takes approximately one to two hours from start to finish. This includes tooth preparation, the digital scan, crown design, milling, and final bonding. The exact time depends on the complexity of the restoration.
Yes. CEREC crowns are milled from solid blocks of high-quality ceramic that have been extensively tested for strength and durability. Research indicates that CEREC restorations perform comparably to traditional lab-made ceramics over long-term follow-up. The digital workflow can also provide a more consistent and predictable fit.
CEREC works well for most crown, inlay, and onlay cases. However, there are some situations where a laboratory-made crown may be more appropriate — for example, certain full-mouth reconstruction cases or specific aesthetic requirements. Dr Liao will assess your situation and recommend the approach that will give you the best result.
The intraoral scanner is a small, pen-sized wand that is gently passed over your teeth. It captures thousands of images to build a 3D model. There is no discomfort, no putty, and no gagging. Most patients find it significantly more comfortable than traditional impressions.
With proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups, CEREC crowns can last many years. Published clinical studies report longevity comparable to traditional laboratory-made crowns. As with any dental restoration, factors such as grinding habits, oral hygiene, and diet can influence lifespan. Dr Liao will provide personalised care advice after your crown is placed.
CEREC crowns are billed under the same item codes as traditional crowns, so your health fund rebate is typically the same. We offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming, and we can provide an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost before treatment. Contact your health fund or ask our team if you would like to confirm your coverage.
No temporary crowns, no second appointment. Experience the convenience and precision of CEREC same-day crowns at Kippax Dental.