Same-Day Crowns

What are same-day crowns?

Same-day crowns are custom-made oral prosthetics used to cap a chipped, cracked, decaying, or otherwise damaged tooth. Traditional dental crowns take more than one appointment. This is because your dentist takes impressions of your tooth and sends the impressions to a dental laboratory that manufactures the crown. You return a week or two later, and your dentist bonds your crown to your affected tooth.

CEREC same-day crowns are different in that your Silicon Valley Dental Associates provider takes impressions and manufactures your crown onsite, during the same appointment. Afterward, they bond your new crown to your affected tooth, and you leave the office with a repaired smile. Instead of two appointments spaced out over the course of several weeks, same-day crowns take just two to three hours. 

Are same-day crowns as sturdy as traditional dental crowns?

CEREC same-day crowns are just as sturdy and long-lasting as traditional dental crowns. They’re made of ceramic, which can withstand the natural forces of biting and chewing. In addition, ceramic mimics the color and light-reflecting capabilities of your natural tooth enamel, ensuring your new crown blends in with the rest of your teeth. This allows you to laugh, smile, yawn, and speak confidently.

What is the process for receiving a same-day crown?

Receiving a same-day crown begins with an oral exam and discussion of your goals for treatment. Afterward, your Silicon Valley Dental Associates provider takes digital X-rays to get a closer look at your damaged tooth, its roots, and the jaw bone below. If your dentist determines you’re a good candidate, they take digital impressions of your affected tooth. They upload your impressions to the CEREC milling machine, which manufactures your same-day ceramic crown in-office.  

The milling process takes 45 minutes to an hour. While you wait, you can read a magazine, surf the web on your smartphone, or sit back and relax. Once the milling machine finishes, your dentist carefully bonds your new crown to the top of your tooth. 

How do I take care of my same-day crown?

You take care of your same-day crown just as you would your natural teeth. Brush twice each day, floss once a day, and visit Silicon Valley Dental Associates every six months for a professional cleaning and oral exam. By practicing good oral hygiene, your crown can last 10-15 years.

To schedule a same-day crown appointment at Silicon Valley Dental Associates, call the office to speak with a team member today.