Modern dentistry has transformed how we approach dental restorations, making it possible to receive same day dental crowns. Gone are the days of waiting weeks with uncomfortable temporary crowns while your crown is crafted.
Thanks to advanced technology, you can now walk into your dentist’s office with a damaged tooth and leave the same day with a beautiful, fully functional permanent crown. To learn more about this revolutionary dental service, visit Smile Haven today.
What are Same Day Dental Crowns?
Same day dental crowns are custom-made tooth restorations that are designed, manufactured, and placed during a single dental visit using computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. Unlike traditional crowns that require multiple appointments and temporary solutions, these crowns are created in your dentist’s office using digital impressions and precision milling machines.
What are the Differences Between Same Day Dental Crowns and Traditional Crowns?
- Timeline: Same day dental crowns are completed in one visit, while traditional crowns require 2-3 appointments over several weeks.
- Temporary crowns: You avoid the need for uncomfortable temporary crowns that can fall off or cause sensitivity between appointments.
- Impressions: A digital scanner replaces messy putty impressions, providing more accurate measurements and a more comfortable experience.
- Laboratory involvement: Same day crowns are made in-office using CAD/CAM technology, eliminating the need to send impressions to external dental labs.
- Adjustments: Any necessary modifications can be made immediately during your appointment, ensuring a perfect fit before you leave.
- Cost efficiency: Though initial costs may be similar, you save money on additional appointments and time off work.
3 Types of Crown Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic crowns offer excellent aesthetics and are the most popular choice for same day dental crowns, especially for front teeth. This material closely mimics the natural translucency and color of your teeth, making it virtually indistinguishable from your natural enamel. While ceramic provides good durability, it may not be the best choice for patients who grind their teeth heavily or need crowns on back molars that endure significant pressure.
Porcelain
Porcelain crowns combine strength with outstanding aesthetic appeal, making them suitable for both front and back teeth. This material can be precisely color-matched to your existing teeth and maintains its appearance over time without staining or discoloration. The smooth surface of porcelain also resists plaque buildup, helping maintain better oral hygiene around the crowned tooth.
Zirconia
Zirconia represents the strongest material available for same day dental crowns, making it ideal for back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces. This advanced ceramic material is incredibly durable and resistant to chips and cracks, often lasting longer than other crown materials. While early zirconia crowns were purely white and less aesthetic, modern zirconia can be layered with porcelain or colored to match your natural teeth beautifully.
How Fast Can a Dentist Make a Crown?
The entire process typically takes between 2 to 4 hours from start to finish, depending on the complexity of your case and the specific technology used. Your dentist can create a perfectly fitted, durable crown while you wait comfortably in the office. This efficiency means you can schedule your appointment during a lunch break or afternoon and return to work the same day with a fully restored smile.
What Happens During a Same Day Dental Crown Procedure?
- Consultation and examination: Your dentist evaluates your tooth condition, takes X-rays if needed, and determines if you’re a good candidate for same day dental crowns.
- Tooth preparation: The damaged or decayed portion of your tooth is removed, and the remaining tooth structure is shaped to accommodate the new crown.
- Digital impressions: A special camera takes detailed 3D images of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth, eliminating the need for messy dental impression materials.
- Crown design: Using CAD software, your dentist designs your custom crown on a computer, ensuring proper fit, bite, and aesthetics.
- Milling process: The crown design is sent to an in-office milling machine that carves your crown from a solid block of ceramic, porcelain, or zirconia material.
- Fitting and adjustments: Your dentist places the crown on your tooth, checks the fit and bite, and makes any necessary adjustments for comfort and function.
- Final bonding: Once perfect fit is achieved, the crown is permanently bonded to your tooth using dental cement and cured with a special light.
When Should You Consider Same Day Dental Crowns
Cracked or Broken Teeth
A damaged tooth can worsen quickly if left unprotected, potentially leading to infection or complete tooth loss. Same day crowns eliminate this risk by providing immediate coverage and strength to your damaged tooth. This is especially important for visible front teeth where aesthetics matter, or for back teeth that need to handle chewing forces right away.
Large Fillings That Have Failed
Teeth with large, old dental fillings that have cracked or fallen out often need more than just a replacement filling to provide adequate strength and protection. Same day dental crowns offer a more comprehensive solution by covering the entire visible portion of the tooth, preventing future cracks or breaks.
Root Canal Treatment
After root canal therapy, your tooth becomes more brittle and susceptible to fracture because the nerve and blood supply have been removed. Same day dental crowns provide essential protection for root canal-treated teeth, preventing them from breaking under normal chewing forces. Getting your crown immediately after root canal treatment also eliminates the risk of reinfection that can occur when teeth are left unprotected.
Severe Tooth Decay
When tooth decay has extensively damaged your tooth structure, same day dental crowns can restore both function and appearance in a single visit. Large cavities often weaken teeth to the point where fillings are no longer adequate, making crowns the best long-term solution. Same day crowns allow you to address the decayed tooth immediately, preventing further deterioration and potential tooth loss.
Conclusion
Single visit crowns represent a remarkable advancement in modern dentistry, offering you the convenience of complete tooth restoration in just one appointment. This dental technology eliminates the hassles of temporary crowns, multiple visits, and extended treatment timelines while providing durable, beautiful results that can last for many years.
Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, failed filling, or extensive decay, same day dental crowns provide an efficient solution that fits into your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment with us at Smile Haven to discover how dental crowns can restore your smile quickly and effectively. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more dental health tips and updates.