You come to us with a tooth that needs a dental crown. Maybe it chipped while you were eating. Maybe an old filling finally gave way. Or maybe the tooth has been sensitive for weeks. In the past, that meant two appointments. One to prepare the tooth and place a temporary crown. Another two weeks later to fit the permanent one. In between, you’d wear a temporary that might feel bulky or come loose at the worst moment.
Not anymore. With same-day crown technology, we can often design, create, and place your permanent crown in a single visit. You could walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out with a fully restored one.
The Technology Behind Same-Day Crowns
Same-day crowns are made possible by a combination of digital tools that work together.
It starts with an intraoral scanner. Instead of taking a goopy impression, we use a small handheld wand that captures a precise 3D image of your tooth and the surrounding area. The scan takes just a few minutes, and there’s no tray, no mess, and no gagging.
Once we have that digital image, we use CAD/CAM software to design your crown on a computer screen. We can adjust the shape, size, and fit with incredible precision. Then we send that design to a milling machine right here in our office. The machine carves your crown from a solid block of ceramic. The whole process takes about an hour.
When the crown is ready, we check the fit, polish it, and bond it into place.
What the Appointment Looks Like
Here’s what to expect when you come in for a same-day crown.
- We start by numbing the area so you’re comfortable.
- Then we prepare the tooth, removing any decay and shaping it to make room for the crown. That part is the same as a traditional crown appointment.
- Next, we scan your tooth. The scanner captures thousands of images per second and stitches them together into a detailed 3D model. You can watch the image appear on the screen as we scan.
- While the milling machine creates your crown, you can relax. The process takes about an hour. Some patients read. Some watch TV. Some even doze off.
- Once the crown is ready, we try it in. We check the fit, the bite, and the color. If everything looks right, we bond it in place permanently.
- You leave with a fully restored tooth.
Who’s a Good Candidate
Same-day crowns work for most patients who need a crown on a single tooth. They’re ideal for:
- Teeth with large cavities that can’t be fixed with a filling
- Teeth that have chipped or fractured
- Teeth that have had root canal treatment
- Teeth that need cosmetic improvement in shape or color
In some situations, a traditional lab-made crown is still the better choice. For example, if you need a crown on an implant or a very complex restoration, we may recommend a different approach. We’ll let you know during your consultation.
The Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
The most obvious benefit is convenience. One appointment instead of two. No temporary crown. No waiting.
But there are other benefits too. Because the crown is designed and milled from a digital scan, the fit is often more precise than a traditional crown. That means fewer adjustments and a more comfortable result. And because there’s no temporary crown, there’s no risk of it coming loose or breaking before your permanent one arrives.
Restore Your Tooth Today at AH Smiles
Same-day crowns are one way technology has made dentistry better for patients. If you need a crown, ask us whether same-day technology is an option for you.
Our team at AH Smiles serves patients from Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Deerfield, and Northbrook. Call us or request an appointment online. We’ll take a look and help you find the right solution for your smile.