Imagine enjoying your favorite crunchy snack when suddenly—crack! This unexpected dental emergency has left you with a damaged tooth and a decision to make. Should you opt for the traditional crown process, or is the new same-day technology worth considering? While both options can beautifully restore your smile, the difference in time commitment and experience is significant.
At Beechnut Dental Care, we’ve seen patients light up when they learn they can leave with a permanent crown in just one visit rather than dealing with temporaries and multiple tedious appointments. We know dental procedures can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team focuses on providing comfortable, efficient care with options that fit your lifestyle and needs. Our goal is to help you understand your choices so you can make informed decisions about your oral health.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-crafted cap that fits over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It is like a protective helmet that encases the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gumline.
Crowns are often necessary when teeth are extensively decayed, cracked, or weakened. They’re also used to protect teeth after root canal therapy or to support dental bridges. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made annually, showing how common and trusted this restoration has become. At Beechnut Dental Care, we use zirconia or ceramic crowns that mirror your natural teeth in color and translucency, providing durability and aesthetic appeal.
Traditional Crown Process: Multiple Visits Required
The traditional crown process typically requires two separate appointments spaced a few weeks apart. Here’s what you can expect from each visit with this treatment method.
During your initial appointment:
- Your dentist examines and prepares your tooth by removing decay and reshaping it.
- Impressions are taken to design your crown.
- A temporary crown is placed on your tooth to protect it while your permanent crown is being made.
- Your impressions are sent to an off-site dental lab where skilled technicians craft your custom crown.
Between appointments, you’ll need to be careful with your temporary crown and might experience some sensitivity or discomfort while waiting for your permanent restoration.
At your second appointment, about two weeks later:
- Your temporary crown is removed
- The permanent crown is assessed for proper fit and appearance
- Once adjustments are made, the crown is permanently cemented in place
While traditional crowns have been the standard for decades, they require more time commitment and mean you’ll need to be careful with your temporary crown between visits.
Same-Day Crowns: Completed in One Appointment
At Beechnut Dental Care, we offer same-day crown technology using our advanced CEREC system, allowing us to design, mill, and place your permanent crown in just one visit. Here’s how the process works:
- Your tooth is prepared just as it would be for a traditional crown
- Instead of physical impressions, we use a small intraoral scanner to take digital 3D images of your tooth
- Our computer software designs your crown based on these precise measurements
- The final design is sent to our in-office CEREC milling machine, which carves your crown from a solid block of ceramic material
- The crown is finished, polished, and bonded to your tooth all in one appointment
The entire process takes about 1-2 hours, meaning you walk out with your permanent crown the same day.
Comparing the Benefits: Which Option Is Right for You?
When deciding between traditional and same-day crowns, it’s important to understand each option’s unique advantages.
Advantages of Same-Day Crowns:
In addition to the convenience of receiving a permanent crown in a single appointment, same-down crowns offer several other significant benefits, including:
- No need for temporary crowns
- Digital impressions (no messy putty)
- Less tooth sensitivity without a temporary crown
- No wait time for lab processing
- Precise digital fit
These benefits make same-day crowns particularly appealing for patients with busy schedules or those who experience anxiety about dental visits, as they minimize the overall time spent in the dental chair.
Advantages of Traditional Crowns:
While same-day crowns are becoming increasingly popular, traditional crowns still offer several advantages that same-down crowns can’t match, including:
- Dental lab technicians specialize in creating highly aesthetic results
- Some complex cases may benefit from the lab fabrication process
Most patients are excellent candidates for same-day crowns, but traditional crowns might be the better option in some situations. Our experienced dental team will help identify the best option based on your needs, tooth location, and oral health situation.
Experience Advanced Dental Technology at Beechnut Dental Care
At Beechnut Dental Care, we’re committed to providing comfortable, efficient dental care using the latest technology. Our single-visit crowns using CEREC technology allow us to offer high-quality restorations that save you time without compromising quality.
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth that may need a crown, we’re here to help. With our precise digital technology and expertise in same-day and traditional crowns, we can recommend the best solution for your needs. Contact our office at 713-839-0900 or schedule an appointment through our online form to learn more about your options for restoring your smile.
