Finding a treatment that fits into your busy schedule.

Modern life can be fast-paced and busy. Between work, your own commitments, and juggling your kids’ schedules, it’s easy to feel like there’s hardly any time for you to catch your breath. Setting aside time to receive a dental crown can seem downright impossible, especially since the process generally takes at least two appointments over the course of several weeks. For many patients, that’s a huge time commitment that has to come directly out of their workday.

Advances in dental technology, however, are transforming treatments like dental crowns, making it faster, easier, and more convenient to get them than ever. In fact, CEREC same day crowns easily cut the time you’ll spend at our office in half by making it possible for you to get a dental crown in a single visit to our office. This treatment uses cutting-edge technology to provide you with a wide range of benefits. To help you determine if same day crowns are right for you, here are 10 benefits they offer.

1. Same day crowns are convenient.

Traditional porcelain crowns are milled in an outside lab, so it generally takes two appointments over the course of several weeks for you to get your permanent crown. During your first appointment, your dentist prepares the tooth and takes a mold of your teeth before placing a temporary crown. Once your permanent crown arrives in a few weeks, you’ll have a second appointment to cement it in place.

In contrast, since CEREC same day crowns are designed and milled right in our office, you don’t have to worry about making time for two separate appointments, getting numbing shots multiple times, or experiencing a sore tooth more than once—you’ll be leaving our office with your new, permanent crown in about two hours. This entire process is more convenient because it saves you and your dentist time.

2. They eliminate the need for temporary crowns.

Temporary crowns aren’t meant to last or blend in perfectly with your smile, so they can make you feel a little self-conscious while you wait for your permanent crown. They also require you to be a little more careful with what and how you’re eating. Since same day crowns are milled right in our office and placed in a single day, they completely eliminate the need for temporary crowns! You won’t have to worry about the way a temporary crown looks or functions in your mouth—you’ll be able to enjoy a confident, natural smile right away.

3. They’re made from porcelain.

It’s easy to assume that since CEREC same day crowns are milled right in our office so quickly, they must be made of different or lower-quality materials than traditional lab-milled crowns. Thankfully, however, same day crowns are made from the same porcelain material as traditional crowns, so they have the same level of quality in both their function and appearance.

4. They protect your tooth from further damage.

Dental crowns sit on your tooth and form a tight seal to keep bacteria out, protecting the tooth from further decay. They can also protect teeth that have broken or suffered major cracks, holding the tooth together, restoring its appearance, and protecting it from further damage. In many cases, a dental crown is the only way to preserve your natural tooth—and that’s always better for your long-term oral health.

5. Same day crowns cut out messy dental putty.

When you get a traditional crown, your dentist needs to take an impression of your teeth to send to the lab that will mill your crown. Unfortunately, the putty that’s used for this is messy and tastes just as gross as it feels—plus it needs to sit on your teeth for a while so it can harden into the shape of your teeth. CEREC same day crowns skip this unpleasant step by relying on a digital scan of your teeth instead of the putty. The process is quick, simple, and comfortable since all your dentist needs to do is pass a wand that’s a little bigger than an electric toothbrush over your teeth. The scan produces a high-quality, incredibly accurate 3D image of your teeth, which your dentist can use to design your crowns.

6. They fit perfectly.

While dental putty doesn’t always produce a reliable impression of your teeth, the incredibly accurate images and 3D model produced by the digital scanner ensure that your dental crown will fit your teeth perfectly. Your dentist can use CEREC’s system to design your crown, examining how it will interact with nearby teeth and ensuring that it will fit into your bite perfectly. This saves time during installation, as your dentist won’t have to make multiple adjustments to the crown to ensure it fits properly, and the crown will feel comfortable and natural.

7. They’re beautifully designed to look like the rest of your teeth.

In addition to designing the way your crown fits in your mouth, CEREC’s system gives your dentist the freedom to work closely with you to design the appearance of your crown. You can choose the size, shape, and shade of the tooth, so you can either make a copy of your damaged tooth or improve its appearance. The porcelain material matches the gloss and color of your natural teeth, so your crown will blend into your smile perfectly—no one will realize it’s there!

8. Same day crowns are durable.

Porcelain crowns, whether they’re lab-milled or CEREC same day crowns, are the most durable, aesthetically pleasing option available. There are arguably stronger materials, such as gold or other metals, but these types of crowns are very visible in your mouth—even if they’re on your molars. While metal crowns are certainly an option for people who prefer their advantages, porcelain crowns provide a great marriage of durability and aesthetics. They look like natural teeth and can stand up to the same daily wear and tear, meaning you’ll never have to worry about eating crunchy or sticky food with your crown. If you take good care of it, your porcelain crown should last you around 15 years before it needs to be replaced.

9. They’re low-maintenance.

Just like traditional crowns, same day crowns only require the same level of care as your natural teeth. This means that you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, floss and use mouthwash at least once a day, and visit your dentist every six months for your regular professional dental cleaning. Committing to this level of care is incredibly important, as dental crowns can’t protect your tooth from everything. If you don’t floss, for example, periodontitis can still harm your tooth—and potentially even cause you to lose it—whether or not you have a crown.

10. They cost about the same as lab-milled crowns.

While CEREC same day crowns sound great, all of the cutting-edge, specialized technology involved may make you think, “What’s the catch? This sounds expensive—how much do crowns cost at a dentist near me?” The answer is that while part of the cost does help pay for and maintain the equipment, CEREC same day crowns usually cost about the same as lab-milled crowns because they reduce costs in other ways. Since they only require you to get a localized anesthetic once and eliminate the need for a temporary crown, same day crowns save your dentist on materials as well as time. They also save you money when it comes to your copay since you’ll only have to pay for a single visit to our office.

We understand that life can be hectic, so making time for dental treatments can be difficult. Thankfully, CEREC same day crowns make it possible for just about anyone to find time for the treatment they need. If you’re interested in learning more about whether or not same day crowns are right for you, feel free to make an appointment with our office at any time.