When you have a tooth that is in need of repair, getting it done quickly—and expertly—is a top priority. Dental crowns can help restore your smile and have you chewing without pain in as little as one appointment.
There are a few types of crowns, including traditional gold alloy crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns and all-ceramic crowns. These types of crowns traditionally require two visits to the dentist – one to prepare the tooth and another to place the crown. The crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory and typically requires 7 to 10 days to complete.
Same-day crowns are an exciting addition to dentistry! They are made of a ceramic material which is manufactured in-office during a single appointment. Read more to find out if a same-day crown is right for you!
What are Same-Day Crowns?
Same-day crowns are fabricated with a Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) on-site machine. This method allows you to relax while your dentist fabricates your crown, instead of waiting seven to 10 days for the dental lab to create a traditional crown.
Your dentist can use computer-aided design (CAD) to digitally map the way your teeth bite together and the tooth requiring the new crown. We can then use adjacent computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to create a customized crown in-office.
Crowns on Dental Implants
Same-day crowns can also be placed on dental implants, once again saving time and ensuring a customized fit.
The Advantages of Same-Day Crowns
CEREC same-day crowns offer notable advantages.
One-day Sizing & Placing
Perhaps the greatest advantage of a same-day crown is that it reduces up to two weeks of wait time while wearing a temporary crown. For patients who travel to visit their dentist, the time saving can be significant.
Same Cost
CEREC same-day crowns cost about the same as traditional crowns, so you receive all the advantages with no additional costs.
Abrasive Resistance
The ceramic used in the on-site manufacture of the crown fares well against wear, so these crowns are durable as well as physically strong.
Aesthetic Appearance
CEREC crowns are natural looking and translucent. They can be colour-matched to the surrounding tooth which helps them blend in. Traditional crowns may have a dark line at the gum line due to the metal parts. CEREC crowns contain no metal.
The Disadvantage of Same-Day Crowns
But same-day crowns still come with some minor downsides worth considering.
A Single Longer Appointment
Same-day crowns tend to involve waiting time for the patient. While the same-day technology saves you commuting to and from the dental office more than once—same-day crowns require the patient to relax in the dental chair while the crown is fabricated.
Start a Conversation With Your Dentist
Same-day CEREC crowns are an exciting new development in general and cosmetic dentistry. Patients in special circumstances might benefit more from traditional types of crown materials and crown procedures. But if time and fewer appointments are a particular priority for your dental health, or if you’d like to know more about same-day crowns, ask us about booking an appointment.
