When you visit your dentist to have a dental crown placed, you traditionally have to wait while the restoration is made at a separate laboratory. However, many practices nowadays are able to offer same-day crowns that are created in-office. Could this be a better choice for your smile? In order to answer that question, it’s important to consider the following 4 differences between same-day crowns and lab-made crowns.
1. The Time It Takes to Complete the Process
It takes at least two appointments to receive a lab-made crown, with the second appointment typically taking place a few weeks after the first one. But if you choose to get a same-day crown, only one appointment is required. This can save you a significant amount of time and allow you to enjoy a restored smile that much sooner.
2. The Use of a Temporary Crown
While waiting for a lab-made crown, you will need to wear a temporary restoration to keep your tooth safe. Said restoration will not be as durable as a permanent crown, so it will be more prone to breaking or falling off. On the other hand, since same-day crowns are placed in just one visit, they don’t require you to wear a temporary crown at all, giving you one less thing to worry about.
3. Precision
A lab-made crown requires your dentist to capture impressions of your mouth so that the restoration can be personalized for your unique smile. However, these impressions are not always completely accurate, so there’s a chance that the final crown may not fit correctly. In contrast, same-day crowns are designed based on digital scans of your teeth, which are much more precise than traditional impressions. As such, a same-day crown is more likely to fit as it should the first time.
4. Cost
The cost of a same-day crown is often comparable to that of a lab-made crown. That said, since same-day crowns only require one appointment, they can ultimately save you money on gas, and they allow you to take less time off of work. That’s not even getting into the possibility of a lab-made crown needing to be redone, which can cost additional time and money.
If you’re still trying to decide whether you should get a same-day crown or a lab-made one, talk to your dentist. They can discuss both options in more detail with you and point you toward the one that’s the best choice for your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Tavi Henry is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and he has completed more than 400 hours of continuing education. His Lakewood practice, Dedicated Dentistry, takes advantage of the latest technology, including the state-of-the-art CEREC system for creating same-day crowns. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Henry, visit his website or call (303) 984-1400.