Dentsply Sirona is shifting the CEREC workflow to its cloud-based DS Core platform, integrating AI-powered design capabilities alongside two new milling units: the mid-tier CEREC Primemill Lite and the compact CEREC Go. This launch coincides with CEREC's 40th anniversary, bringing the most extensive hardware lineup in the system's history to the market.
What's new
The updated CEREC ecosystem centers on three major shifts.
First, restoration design migrates to the cloud. Practitioners can now access AI-generated margin and design proposals for crowns, inlays, and onlays directly through DS Core using any web browser. Dentsply Sirona has also opened up the traditionally closed ecosystem. The system now supports STL export and integrates with selected third-party intraoral scanners.
Second, Dentsply Sirona expands the hardware lineup with two new milling units. The CEREC Primemill Lite functions as a dual-motor, mid-tier machine capable of handling bridges, veneers, and implant work. It remains compatible with both CEREC Software 5.3.4 and the newer DS Core workflow. Meanwhile, the CEREC Go arrives as a compact wet-grinding unit dedicated strictly to composite and hybrid ceramic restorations. It operates entirely on a DS Core subscription. By eliminating the need for on-premise software or a furnace, this model significantly lowers the barrier to entry for chairside CAD/CAM. CEREC Go will initially launch outside the United States and Canada.
Third, all three CEREC milling units now feature a Super Fast grinding mode. Production times drop to roughly 4 minutes for composite crowns and 2 minutes for inlays. Zirconia crowns mill in about 5 minutes, though this specific capability remains exclusive to the premium Primemill. Extra Fine modes stay intact for highly demanding aesthetic cases.
Technical specs
| Parameter | Primemill | Primemill Lite | CEREC Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Premium | Mid-range | Entry |
| Motors | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Wet grinding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dry milling | Yes | No | No |
| Indications | Full range | Bridges, veneers, implants | Composite, hybrid ceramic |
| Software | CEREC SW / DS Core | CEREC SW / DS Core | DS Core only |
| Furnace required | Yes (zirconia) | Yes (zirconia) | No |
| Super Fast crown | ~4 min (composite) | ~4 min (composite) | ~4 min (composite) |
| Super Fast inlay | ~2 min | ~2 min | ~2 min |
| Zirconia crown | ~5 min | N/A | N/A |
Market context
Introduced in 1985, CEREC still dominates the global chairside CAD/CAM market. Dentsply Sirona reports dentists produce over 8 million restorations annually using the technology. Moving the workflow to the cloud aligns with a wider industry transition toward SaaS-based dental platforms. In this space, Dentsply Sirona competes directly against solutions like Planmeca's PlanCAD and 3Shape's integrated lab and chairside workflows.
The rollout of the CEREC Go unit signals a strategic push to capture dental practices that previously avoided CAD/CAM due to prohibitive costs and steep learning curves. Stripping away the furnace and dedicated software requirements drastically cuts the initial investment. This hardware configuration allows Dentsply Sirona to challenge lower-cost chairside solutions and the increasingly popular 3D printing workflows currently taking market share in the composite restoration segment.
The new Super Fast grinding mode directly targets a long-standing patient experience hurdle: idle chair time during the milling process. Shaving the production of a crown down to 4 minutes offers a massive operational improvement over the traditional 10-15 minute cycle.
Relevance for CEE region
CEREC currently maintains a strong foothold in premium dental clinics across Poland and the broader Central-Eastern European market. High equipment costs have historically locked smaller practices out of the ecosystem. The CEREC Go could disrupt this dynamic. It gives modest clinics a way to begin with simple composite restorations and scale their digital dentistry offerings over time.
The DS Core cloud architecture demands a stable, high-speed internet connection. While urban centers across the CEE region easily meet this requirement, rural clinics might still face infrastructure limitations.
Since Dentsply Sirona is holding back the CEREC Go from North America at launch, European markets will likely be among the first to receive the unit. Established dealer channels will manage regional distribution. The company has not yet announced official pricing for the Polish market.
Dentsply Sirona showcased the complete hardware and software lineup at DS World Las Vegas in September 2025, offering attendees hands-on demonstrations and clinical workshops.
FAQ
What is CEREC on DS Core? CEREC on DS Core functions as the cloud-based iteration of the traditional CEREC workflow. Hosted on Dentsply Sirona's platform, it enables AI-assisted restoration design from any web browser, allows for remote milling unit management, and supports STL file export.
How does CEREC Go differ from Primemill Lite? CEREC Go serves as a compact wet-grinding unit strictly for composite and hybrid ceramic restorations. It operates entirely via DS Core and requires no furnace. In contrast, the Primemill Lite acts as a mid-range unit that processes a much wider array of materials and indications, including bridges and implant work.
How fast is Super Fast mode? The mode produces composite crowns in approximately 4 minutes and inlays in roughly 2 minutes. Zirconia crowns mill in about 5 minutes, though this speed is limited to the premium Primemill unit.