If you have been told you need a crown, your first question is probably how many appointments it will take. For many patients the answer is one. A same-day crown is designed, made and fitted during a single visit, using a digital scanner and an in-office milling unit instead of a dental lab. This guide explains how that works, how long crowns tend to last, what affects the cost, and when a traditional crown is still the better choice.
What a dental crown does
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged tooth and restores its shape and strength. Dentists usually recommend one when a tooth has a large filling that no longer holds, a crack, significant wear, or has had a root canal and needs protection. The crown takes the biting force so the tooth underneath does not.
How a same-day crown is made
Same-day crowns are often called CEREC crowns, after the system many dental offices use to make them. At our office the process looks like this:
- The tooth is prepared. After numbing the area, the dentist removes decay and old filling material and shapes the tooth so a crown can fit over it.
- A digital scan replaces the impression. Instead of biting into a tray of putty, a small camera takes a 3D scan of the tooth and the teeth around it. It takes a few minutes.
- The crown is designed on screen. The office uses the scan to design a crown that fits your bite and matches the shape of your natural teeth.
- The crown is milled in the office. The design is sent to a milling unit that carves the crown from a solid block of tooth-colored lithium disilicate or zirconia. This usually takes 40 minutes.
- The crown is finished and bonded. It is stained and glazed to match your teeth where needed, checked for fit, and permanently bonded in place.
Most patients are in the chair for about 2 hours. There is no second visit and no temporary crown to wear in between.
Same-day crowns vs. traditional crowns
A traditional crown takes two appointments. At the first, the tooth is prepared, impressions are taken and a temporary crown is placed. The impressions go to an outside lab, and a few weeks later you return to have the temporary removed and the permanent crown fitted.
The main differences for you are time and convenience. A same-day crown means one round of numbing, one day off work, and no temporary crown, which can loosen or feel sensitive. Because the tooth is scanned rather than molded, many patients also find the process more comfortable.
Same-day crowns are not the right choice for every tooth. Some cases, such as certain multi-tooth restorations, some bite problems or teeth where a different material is needed, may still be better served by a lab-made crown. Research on chairside ceramic crowns has found performance broadly comparable to lab-made ceramic crowns, and the dentist chooses the approach based on your tooth, not the calendar.
How long does a dental crown last?
Many crowns last 10 to 15 years, and some last considerably longer. How long yours lasts depends less on how it was made and more on how it is treated. The things that shorten a crown’s life are the same things that damage natural teeth:
- Grinding or clenching, especially at night
- Chewing ice, pens or other hard objects
- Decay at the edge of the crown, where it meets the tooth
- Gum disease, which can weaken the support around the tooth
Brushing twice a day, flossing around the crown and keeping regular cleanings are the simplest ways to protect it. If you grind your teeth, a night guard can help protect both crowns and natural teeth.
What affects the cost of a crown
Crown cost varies with the material used, which tooth is being treated, and whether other care, such as a filling underneath or a root canal, is needed first. A same-day crown can reduce related costs, such as a second appointment and a temporary crown. This can range from $1950 to $3000.
Bow Family Dentistry is a fee-for-service practice. We accept dental insurance but are not contracted with specific plans, which means your insurer reimburses you directly according to your plan’s out-of-network benefits. Our team is happy to explain what to expect before treatment and can help you submit claims. Financing options are also available.
Who is a good candidate for a same-day crown?
Most patients who need a single crown on a back tooth or a front tooth are candidates, including teeth with large old fillings, cracks or wear. A same-day crown may not be the best choice if the tooth needs gum treatment first, if several connected crowns are planned, or if you grind heavily and a different material would hold up better. Dr. Katz will look at the tooth, your bite and your X-rays and explain which option she recommends and why.
What to expect at your visit
Plan on a single appointment of about 2 hours. You will be numb for the preparation and fitting, so you may want a soft meal afterward. Some patients notice mild sensitivity for a few days, which usually settles. If the bite feels high or uneven once the numbness wears off, call us so we can adjust it; that is a quick fix.
Same-day crowns at Bow Family Dentistry
Dr. Sarah Katz has used digital crown technology for years and serves as a mentor with CDOCS, helping train other dentists in digital restorative workflows. Our office at 514 South Street in Bow is a short drive from Concord, Hooksett, Dunbarton and Manchester at 15-30 minutes, and same-day crowns are one of the treatments we are known for.
If you have been told you need a crown, or have a cracked or heavily filled tooth, call us at 603-224-3151 or request an appointment online. We will look at the tooth and tell you honestly whether a same-day crown is the right fit.
Frequently asked questions
Are same-day crowns as good as regular crowns?
For many teeth, yes. Research has found chairside ceramic crowns perform comparably to lab-made ceramic crowns. Your dentist will recommend a lab crown if your tooth or bite calls for a different material or approach.
How long do same-day crowns last?
They are generally expected to last about as long as other ceramic crowns, commonly 10 to 15 years or more with good care. Grinding, hard foods and decay at the crown edge are the most common reasons crowns fail early.
Does getting a same-day crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed before any work begins, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is common and usually passes.
Will my insurance cover a same-day crown?
Many dental plans include benefits for crowns. Because we are not contracted with specific plans, reimbursement follows your out-of-network benefits. Our team can explain the process before your appointment.
