Same Day Crowns vs Traditional Crowns: Everything You Need to Know

Dental crowns are used to restore a badly damaged tooth. Whether it is a large crack, chip, or a large cavity, dental crowns are an effective way to give you back both the look and function of your smile.

Patients used to have to wait a few weeks at least for a dental crown to be made. Usually, a dentist takes an impression of your mouth, then sends it to a lab, where the crown is made from scratch to match your exact size, shape, and color.

Nowadays, you can get a quality dental crown in as little as a day. But are same-day crowns as good as traditional crowns?

Keep reading to find out.

Three Major Differences Between Same-Day and Traditional Dental Crowns

To understand both options, it’s worth looking at same-day crowns and traditional crowns from 3 main perspectives:

1. Treatment Process

As stated, traditional crowns require taking an impression of the tooth, then physically mailing it to a lab. Once the crown is ready, it is shipped back to the dentist’s office, and you will need to go in for another appointment. The entire process can take 2-3 weeks.

With same-day crowns, patients will get a 3D image of their tooth, and then a special tool will design the crown and build it from scratch. Several types of technologies allow this, the most popular one being CEREC.

The process here takes less than a day, and some crowns may be ready in as little as one hour.

2. Durability

Both same-day and traditional crowns can offer long-lasting results. Patients can enjoy their new smile for years with the right maintenance.

However, traditional dental crowns tend to outlast same-day crowns. Most traditional crowns use a combination of metal and porcelain to create the artificial tooth, which provides a sturdier prosthetic. Same-day crowns are made from a block of porcelain, which is slightly more brittle. 

3. Cosmetic Considerations

For a dental crown, matching the patient’s smile shade and general tooth appearance is just as important as its durability.

Traditional crowns are usually better when it comes to cosmetic restorations. The lab technician specializes in creating these prosthetics, so they are able to perfectly match your specific criteria.

With same-day crowns, impressive cosmetic results are also possible. But it does depend on how experienced the dentist is with the technology. They may need more tries to get just the right dental crown look.

If you have cosmetic concerns, it’s best to look for a dentist with experience in using CEREC or other similar technology.

Need a Same-Day Dental Crown? We Can Help

At Carmel Mountain Dental Care, you can get same-day dental crowns that will both restore your oral health and offer a pleasing smile.

To get started, call us at (858) 484-4880 to book your appointment!

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