Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns

A dental crown is a restorative dental treatment that uses a cap to cover the entire tooth surface, restoring its appearance and strength. A crown reinforces teeth damaged by decay, fractures, or general wear and tear.

There are two primary types of dental crowns: same-day crowns and traditional crowns. While both effectively restore teeth, there are differences in fabrication methods, longevity, and aesthetics that are important to consider before treatment.

What Are Traditional Crowns?

Traditional crowns restore broken teeth, protect weak teeth, or cover misshapen or discolored teeth. The crown fully encases the tooth, restoring shape, size, and strength.

During a traditional crown procedure, your dentist removes approximately 0.5 mm of enamel, reshaping the tooth to fit the crown.

Your dentist then takes physical impressions of your mouth using dental trays with putty, creating molds sent to an off-site dental lab. They will also determine your ideal crown shade using a color chart.

While your permanent crown is created, you’ll wear a temporary acrylic crown to protect your tooth.

At the dental lab, technicians fabricate your crown using materials chosen by your dentist, such as porcelain, metal alloys, composites, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). This process usually takes about two weeks.

In your follow-up appointment, the temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and your dentist permanently cements the crown.

What Are Same-Day Crowns?

Advances in technology now allow crowns to be completed in a single visit using CAD/CAM technology, such as the PlanScan® system.

After tooth preparation, digital impressions are taken using an intraoral camera. These digital impressions are used to create a computer-generated crown model.

This model data is sent directly to an on-site e.Mill® milling machine, carving your crown from a zirconia ceramic block precisely matched to your natural tooth color. The crown is then immediately cemented, allowing you to leave the dental office with a restored smile in just one visit.

Which Should You Get?

Same-day crowns are ideal for busy individuals who prefer fewer appointments and highly natural aesthetics, especially for visible front teeth. However, they typically have a shorter lifespan, usually lasting between 5 to 10 years.

Traditional crowns often use stronger materials, resulting in greater longevity—PFM crowns can sometimes last up to 50 years. However, metal-based crowns may not look as natural due to a visible metal framework or grayish tint at the gum line.

Schedule an Appointment for Crowns at Valley Dental Care

If you have damaged teeth requiring restoration, visit Valley Dental Care for a consultation to decide the best crown type for your smile. We offer both traditional and same-day crowns to meet your dental health needs and personal preferences.

Contact us today at our Aurora office at (630) 892-2193 or our Oswego office at (630) 551-7000 to arrange your appointment.

Meet the Author

Dr. Samantha Kothapalli

General Dentist

Dr. Sam provides personalized dental care with a focus on prevention, patient education, and modern, comfortable treatment.

Meet Dr. Sam

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