If your recent dental treatment plan includes a crown, you should know you have multiple options. Dental crowns are a standard restorative procedure that provides patients with options, including same day crowns. 

You may have some concerns about how same-visit crowns compare to traditional crowns, and that’s understandable. Knowing the difference between these two practical solutions will help you choose the best solution for your restoration. 

What are same day and traditional crowns? 

A same day crown, the single-visit crown, uses CEREC technology. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetics Ceramics. Your crown is custom-made by your family dentist from durable and aesthetic porcelain.

Your dentist sends a traditional dental crown to an external dental lab to be made by a dental technician. These crowns are usually made from base metal, gold, or porcelain fused to metal (PFM) alloys, although they can also be made from porcelain.    

Both procedures create a covering for your tooth that fits snugly over every surface. Your dentist begins the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. 

A portion of the enamel must be removed to ensure the new cap has the best fit. When the restoration is ready to be placed in your mouth, the dentist uses permanent cement. This adhesive secures the crown in place and helps restore your smile. 

Differences between traditional and same day crowns. 

Both of these restorations will resolve your dental issues. But there are a few key differences between them. 

1. Time 

Before CEREC crowns, traditional crowns were your only option. They take a minimum of two appointments. At the first appointment, your family dentist uses a gooey impression material to create a template for a temporary crown. 

The temporary crown gets placed in your mouth with a temporary cement while you wait for your new crown. It protects your weakened tooth, but as its name suggests, it’s temporary. These crowns are made from a weaker material and often break or fall off. 

In contrast, same day dental crowns require one visit, no messy impressions, and no temporary crown. When you leave the office, your new tooth will be permanently cemented. 

2. Appearance 

Traditional crowns can be made from a number of materials, such as gold, metal, or porcelain. Depending on the tooth and where it sits in your mouth, your dentist may recommend any one of these materials for your crown. PFM crowns are one type of crown designed to create a more natural look, but they contain metal and can react with the gum tissue and alter the color. 

Single-visit crowns use CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) to create a crown from either zirconia or lithium disilicate. Your dentist can match every detail of your natural tooth and use a matching color to create your restoration. Same day, dental crowns often blend seamlessly into your smile. 

3. Comfort and Fit 

The impression materials used to create your traditional dental crown are not 100% accurate. This accuracy increases the risk of your final restoration fitting improperly. You may have to have another round of impressions taken and sent to the lab, and you’ll have another temporary crown while you wait. 

CEREC crowns are more accurate because they use CAD/CAM technology to create a 3D impression of your mouth. The digital scan captures the fine details of your natural tooth, allowing your dentist to create a restoration that will have a comfortable and accurate fit. 

Unlike traditional crowns that often need multiple adjustments, same day crowns are so precise that they require very few adjustments. 

4. Strength and Durability 

Lab-created crowns are durable and strong. Gold and base metal alloys are dependable materials but do not create a natural appearance. PFM crowns also withstand heavy pressure but often break, chip, and wear out the opposing teeth. 

Your dentist makes a same day crown from a solid block of ceramic or zirconia. This material can last for over ten years with proper oral hygiene and maintenance. 

5. Affordability 

CEREC and traditional dental crowns have comparable costs, but a same day crown may be more cost-effective. A single-visit crown requires fewer appointments, saving you out-of-pocket money on gas. You won’t have to take as much time off work to sit in a dental chair. 

Who is a good candidate for a CEREC dental crown? 

Typically, any patient who is a candidate for traditional crowns will also qualify for a same day crown procedure. This restorative treatment option is ideal for those with misshapen, cracked, stained, decayed, or broken teeth. 

Another reason your dentist may recommend this treatment is that you recently had a root canal, and the tooth needs additional protection. 

Are you looking for a dentist who does same day crowns?

If you need a dental crown and want to save valuable time, consider a same day crown. The dental team at Hite Family Dentistry is trained to create crowns in a single visit and has used this technology for several years. You’ll need to set aside approximately two hours for your appointment, but you’ll walk out of our office with a permanent tooth. Contact us today to learn more about this innovative technology and schedule your appointment.