Rutledge Dental, a general and restorative dental practice in Oro Valley, Arizona, has integrated CEREC CAD/CAM technology to complete dental crown restorations in a single appointment. The practice, led by Dr. Joel Rutledge Jr., designs and mills ceramic crowns chairside, offering patients an alternative to the traditional two-visit procedure that often involves a temporary restoration and a follow-up appointment.
The conventional crown process typically requires at least two visits: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, and another to seat the permanent crown. With the CEREC system, Rutledge Dental captures a digital impression of the prepared tooth, generates a precise three-dimensional design using software, and mills the ceramic restoration in the office. The dentist then seats the crown during the same visit, allowing patients to leave without a temporary or a return trip for seating.
This approach addresses a practical concern for patients managing demanding schedules. The single-visit model removes the need to coordinate time away from work or other obligations on two separate occasions, which can be particularly beneficial for those who need a crown due to decay, a cracked tooth, or following a root canal. The practice serves patients from Oro Valley, Tucson, and surrounding communities, making the technology accessible to residents across the metro area without requiring travel to a downtown or specialty location.
CAD/CAM, which stands for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing, has been used in dentistry for several decades. CEREC, developed by Dentsply Sirona, is among the more widely adopted chairside systems. It uses ceramic blocks to mill restorations that match the color and translucency of natural tooth enamel. Because the crown is fabricated from a single block of ceramic material in the office, the process does not depend on an external dental laboratory or a waiting period for off-site fabrication. The digital workflow also eliminates the need for physical impression material, which some patients find uncomfortable, and produces a 3D scan that can be reviewed and adjusted on-screen before milling begins.
The implications for patients are significant: fewer appointments, no temporary crowns, and a streamlined treatment experience. For the dental industry, the adoption of chairside milling technology by general practices like Rutledge Dental reflects a broader trend toward incorporating digital workflows to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction. Dr. Joel Rutledge Jr. has structured the practice around the CEREC workflow to offer complete crown restorations within one scheduled appointment. The practice provides general and restorative dental care, including same-day crowns, to patients in Oro Valley and the greater Tucson area. For more information, visit the practice's website, where additional details about the CEREC technology and the practice's services are available.
