Patients needing a dental crown can now complete the entire restoration in a single appointment at Rutledge Dental in Oro Valley, Arizona, thanks to the practice's use of CEREC CAD/CAM technology. The announcement, made October 22, 2026, highlights a shift away from the conventional two-visit crown process that has long required patients to wear a temporary restoration between appointments.
The traditional method for placing a dental crown involves at least two separate visits: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, and a follow-up to seat the permanent crown. Rutledge Dental, led by Dr. Joel Rutledge Jr., now performs digital scanning, crown design, and in-office milling all during one visit using the CEREC system. The technology captures a digital impression of the prepared tooth, generates a precise three-dimensional design, and mills a ceramic restoration that is seated the same day.
This development matters for patients across the Tucson area who face demanding schedules or prefer to limit the number of dental visits associated with a restoration. Same-day crowns eliminate the need for a temporary crown and a return trip for seating, reducing time away from work or other obligations. For residents of the broader Tucson area, the availability of same-day dental crowns through a provider in nearby Oro Valley makes the technology accessible without requiring travel to a downtown or specialty location. Oro Valley sits just north of Tucson and draws a significant portion of its patient base from across the metro area.
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. Crowns placed through the CEREC system are composed of the same type of ceramic material used in traditional laboratory-fabricated crowns.
The digital workflow also removes the step of physical impression material, which some patients find more comfortable, and produces a 3D scan that can be reviewed and adjusted on-screen before milling begins. Dr. Joel Rutledge Jr. has structured the practice around the CEREC workflow to offer complete crown restorations within one scheduled appointment. Patients who need a crown—whether due to decay, a cracked tooth, or following a root canal—can arrive, receive the preparation and final crown placement, and leave without a temporary restoration or a return visit for seating. The practice serves patients from Oro Valley, Tucson, and surrounding communities in the region.
Rutledge Dental is a general and restorative dental practice located in Oro Valley, Arizona, serving patients from throughout the Tucson region. For more information about the practice and its services, visit Rutledge Dental. Images of the practice and its CEREC technology are available here and here.
