How can same-day crowns help you?

As technology evolves, so does the field of dentistry. New technology helps dental procedures become faster, safer, more accurate, and more accessible. Same-day crowns are a prime example of how technology is changing dentistry for the better, as they provide a genuine improvement in the way dentists are able to treat patients. Here are some major benefits of same-day crowns.

Same-day crowns save time.

Traditional crowns take at least two visits—and several weeks—to place. This is because they’re made at an outside lab, In the weeks between your first and second appointments, you’ll be given a temporary crown to wear. On the other hand, same-day crowns are aptly named; it only takes a single visit for Dr. Fenn to prepare your teeth, make your crown, and place it in your mouth. This speed is accomplished because the crowns are milled in under an hour, right in our office. The process saves you time, as you don’t have to take as much time off of work or school in order to get a same-day crown placed.

The process is more comfortable.

If you’ve ever had an impression of your teeth taken, you know it’s messy, uncomfortable, and tastes gross. Thankfully, same-day crowns eliminate the need for putty impressions. Instead, digital impressions of your teeth are taken using an E4D Dentist laser scanner. It’s much more comfortable and results in a higher-quality image of your teeth than putty can provide. 

Same-day crowns also decrease the amount of discomfort or soreness you’ll feel all around. Traditional crowns require you to get numbed for both visits, as at your second appointment, you need to have your temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed. This means that you may experience a little soreness or discomfort after your second appointment, as well as after the first. Same-day crowns allow you to get everything over in one appointment—no getting numbed or experiencing soreness a second time!

They fit better.

The technology that same-day crowns use to get a digital scan of your teeth allows your crown to fit much more accurately. After Dr. Fenn scans your teeth, he’s able to design your crown and see how it interacts with a digital 3D model of your teeth. This enables him to examine your bite, ensure there isn’t too much pressure on any area of the crown or on the natural teeth next to it, change the thickness of the material in certain areas as needed, and more. This makes your crown much more comfortable and ensures that there isn’t too much pressure or wearing on any one spot, helping it to last longer.

Same-day crowns look natural.

Same-day crowns look incredibly natural and are highly customizable, allowing them to match the gloss and color of your natural teeth. They’ll blend in with the rest of your teeth so well that no one will have any idea you have a crown. Their customizable nature also means that you have some input into how the crown itself will look; you can tweak the appearance of your smile or keep it exactly the same.

They’re strong.

Same-day crowns don’t compromise on practical necessities like strength in order to look natural, fit well, and save you time. They’re incredibly strong, as they’re milled from a single block of heat-treated ceramic or resin; both the heat treatment and the fact that they’re milled from a single block adds strength to the crown. This helps same-day crowns avoid weaknesses that other types of crowns face, such as the tendency for the layer of porcelain over porcelain-on-metal crowns to chip off.

They have great longevity.

The strength and perfect fit that these crowns provide ensures that they have the potential to last a long time. How long your crown lasts does depend upon how well you care for it, but crowns are very easy to care for. They simply require you to follow a great oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, using mouthwash and flossing at least once a day, and visiting Dr. Fenn for routine appointments. If you care for your crown well, it can last 15 years or more.

They’re versatile.

Crowns are incredibly versatile treatments, and same-day crowns are no different. They can be used for both cosmetic and restorative treatments, from fortifying a broken tooth or protecting a tooth after root canal therapy to anchoring a dental bridge or completing dental implant restorations. Same-day crowns can tackle any dental issues that traditional crowns can be used to treat.

They’re affordable.

Although it sounds like there should be a catch when it comes to cost, same-day crowns are affordable; the price will vary depending on where you live, but same-day crowns generally cost around the same as traditional crowns. Since same-day crowns are milled right in our office and don’t require temporary crowns, they cut out mailing costs and the cost of making a temporary crown. Some offices will add some cost to help them pay for the equipment that’s necessary to make same-day crowns, but this generally evens the prices back up. Over time, same-day crowns begin to show their worth through their longevity, saving you money by allowing you to go longer without needing to replace your crown. 

Same-day crowns are a huge improvement in the field of dentistry. They represent a huge stride forward, making dental treatments involving crowns faster, easier, and more accessible without compromising strength, fit, or quality. After just one visit, you’ll be able to walk away with a crown that will last you years to come.