Same-day crowns, also known as CEREC crowns, can be used just like conventional dental crowns. These crowns are identical to traditional ones but are made in under two hours. In contrast, conventional dental crowns take about two weeks to be created offsite in a dental laboratory.
Please keep reading to know more about same-day crowns and their pros & cons.
How Are Same-Day Crowns Made?
If you need a quick dental restoration, same-day crowns may be the perfect solution for you. Same-day crowns are created through an in-office process using computer technology, and the process begins after the teeth are treated, prepared, and reshaped. First, the dentist makes a customized digital impression of the mouth using a computer (a CAD/CAM system) and then sends it to an in-office milling machine that carves a crown out of a ceramic block.
How Long do Same-Day Crowns Last?
On average, same-day crowns last for 10 to 15 years – the same as traditional crowns. But with excellent care, your same-day crown may last for decades!
CEREC crowns are made from materials like porcelain or zirconium, which are durable and long-lasting. So if you’re looking for a permanent solution to your dental issue, a CEREC same-day crown is the right choice.
Same-Day Crowns Process
If you require a dental crown but don’t have time for a traditional crown fitting process, then same-day crowns may be the perfect solution. Here is the entire process of same-day crowns:
Step 1- Prepare the Tooth for the Crown
The procedure’s first step is preparing the tooth to receive the crown. The dentist removes any decayed portions and slims down the tooth for your crown to fit well. Same-day crowns do not require much of your natural tooth filed down, unlike traditional crowns, which need about 70% tooth removal.
Step 2- Taking a Digital Impression of the Tooth
After preparing the tooth, the dentist will make a digital impression of your tooth using an intraoral camera that fits into your mouth. The dentist will use it to capture exact, three-dimensional images of your tooth.
Step 3- Designing and Creating a Model of the Same-Day Crown
Once the digital impression is complete, the dentist electronically sends the digital measurements of your tooth to a milling machine. The milling machine will then create your custom crown from a block of porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to craft same-day crowns.
Step 4- Bonding
After your tooth crown is milled, it’s ready to be placed on your tooth. The dentist will ensure the fit and color are satisfactory before bonding it permanently to your tooth.
Pros of Same-Day Crowns
Pros of same-day dental crowns include:
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You can restore the function of your teeth immediately
When you get traditional crowns, you must wear a temporary crown for a few days, which can be very inconvenient. You don’t have this worry with same-day crowns at all!
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Saves You Money
Appointments or temporary crowns cost money, even with insurance. By eliminating the need for temporary crowns, same-day crowns help you save money. Furthermore, for some patients, less time off work means more opportunities to earn money.
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More Comfortable
The temporary crowns you get before traditional procedures are made from resin and rarely fit, making them very uncomfortable. Same-day crowns consist of ceramic and fit perfectly and hence are very comfortable.
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Prevents Injury
Your temporary crown is very dangerous because if it falls off or doesn’t fit well, it can cause injury to your mouth, but this is not a problem with same-day crowns, which help prevent injuries.
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Prevents Decay
As temporary crowns sometimes come off, they make room for further decay of your tooth, which is never a problem with same-day crowns.
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Faster Appointments
Same-day crowns can be made and fixed during just one visit to the dentist. Traditional crowns usually require two visits, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
Cons of Same-Day Crowns
There are only two common cons of same-day crowns:
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Less Durable
One con of same-day crowns is that they are less durable. Traditional crowns typically consist of metal, porcelain, or a combination, whereas same-day crowns are crafted from a block of ceramic. Metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the most robust restoration materials because metal bonds exceptionally well to teeth.
However, with regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene, a same-day crown can last as long as a traditional crown.
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Unable to Detect Some Fractures
Another disadvantage of same-day crowns is that they cannot detect some fractures. A traditional crown can be a better fit if you have a tooth fracture that extends below the gum line, and the computer-aided technology is not able to detect issues or damage below the gum line.
To Restore Your Smile, Schedule Your Same-Day Crowns Appointment at Norwood Dental Today!
If you have a busy lifestyle, same-day crowns are the perfect fit for you. Whether you need to look great for your next meeting or interview or have short notice to appear on a talk show as a guest, the same-day dental crown procedure at Norwood Dental is a life-saver.
It allows you to visit our dental clinic and walk out with your fully restored smile in under two hours. So, contact us today!