Advancements in dental technology have led to enhanced patient comfort, more successful patient outcomes, and expedited treatment times. For example, dental crowns can be completed far quicker than in years past. Porcelain and metal alloy crowns are returned from labs faster, thanks to digital impressions, so you can expect your permanent crown to arrive within two weeks. Chair-side economical restoration of esthetic ceramic (CEREC) crowns made in house at dental practices offering CAD/CAM dentistry make it possible for your crown to be made and placed in a single day.
Steps Involved in Getting a Porcelain Dental Crown
If your dentist tells you that you need a crown, it is because the tooth is cracked, chipped, weakened, or has significant decay that cannot be treated with a dental filling. The tooth receiving the crown will then need to be prepared for placing the crown. This involves filing the tooth down, while keeping enough natural structure to support the crown.
Then, you’ll have a series of digital images taken, including digital impressions, which will be electronically transmitted to the lab for fabrication.You will receive a temporary crown to wear until your permanent crown arrives from the lab.
When you return to have your crown placed, your dentist may make minor adjustments to the crown to assure a snug, aligned, and comfortable fit. It will then be bonded to the tooth. The time spent preparing and placing the crown generally takes less than one hour, but the total treatment time will span a couple of weeks.
Steps Involved in Getting a CEREC Same Day Crown
Some, but not all dentist practices are equipped with advanced technologies that enable them to make your dental crowns onsite using Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Milling (CAD/CAM) dentistry. If your dentist has these advanced capabilities, you may opt for a CEREC same day crown.
The tooth will be prepared for the crown. Then, you’ll have your digital impressions. But instead of sending your digital impressions to a lab, the impressions will be sent to an onsite computer, equipped with CAD/CAM software. Your dentist will use the software program to design your custom crown. The crown design and structure is then transmitted to a milling machine, which creates the crown from ceramic or composite resin. The crown can then be placed, during the same appointment, or later that same day.
The time spent preparing your tooth for a CEREC same day crown is typically about one hour. It may take another hour for milling and placing the crown. All told, it takes just hours from diagnosis to completion of your dental crown restoration.
Same Day Dental Crowns at Meridian Dental Group in Midtown Manhattan
If you’re experiencing a toothache, or have a chipped or cracked tooth, contact Meridian Dental Group in Midtown Manhattan at 212-813-0850 for an appointment. Meridian Dental Group accepts a variety of dental insurance plans and accepts CareCredit third-party financing for all dental treatments.
Is a same-day crown as good as a porcelain crown?
Same day crowns offer benefits including immediate treatment, with no need for a temporary crown or multiple dental visits. CEREC crowns may be slightly less durable than a porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, lasting 10-15 years.
Are same day crowns more expensive than traditional crowns?
CEREC crowns are slightly more expensive than traditional crowns. However, many people find that completing treatment in one day offers valuable time savings, compared to waiting for a crown to arrive from the lab.