Today’s dental technology enables your dentist to provide more comfortable and efficient care, making it easier for you to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout your lifetime. Gone are the days of goopy, messy impressions and multiple visits for a dental crown procedure.
Thanks to CEREC technology, we can create and place a custom dental crown in one visit to our Champaign dental office. Not only that, but our in-office dental lab creates your new restoration while you wait comfortably in your treatment room.
However, traditional dental crowns still have their place and are widely used to strengthen and protect a damaged, weakened, or decayed tooth.
So, let’s explore same-day crowns vs. traditional crowns in a head-to-head comparison.
Understanding the Basics: What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that completely covers your tooth, giving it an aesthetically pleasing appearance and restoring its function. They are typically made from either porcelain or ceramic, but can also be crafted from other materials.
The Purpose of a Crown
These commonly used dental restorations are used in numerous ways; here’s why you might need a dental crown:
- To protect a weakened tooth: If you have a decayed tooth, a large dental filling, or if your tooth isn’t structurally sound, a dental crown can protect it.
- To repair a broken tooth, a dental crown can restore both its appearance and functionality.
- To enhance a tooth’s appearance: If your tooth is misshapen or discolored, a dental crown will blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile and improve its overall appearance.
- To support a dental bridge: If you have missing teeth, dental crowns are often placed on your adjacent natural teeth to support a dental bridge and fill the gaps in your smile.
- To complete the dental implant process: If you are missing a tooth and opt for a dental implant, a dental crown is the final component of the implant process.
- To protect a tooth after a root canal: If you’ve undergone root canal therapy, a dental crown can protect and support your tooth.
The Two Main Types of Crowns
When you visit Anderson Dental, we’ll explain your dental crown options and answer all your questions about the two types of crowns we offer:
- Traditional crowns: A traditional dental crown is created in a dental lab. After we prepare your tooth, we’ll take digital impressions before placing a temporary crown on the treated tooth. You’ll return about two weeks later so we can secure your permanent crown in place.
- Same-day crowns: With CEREC same-day crowns, we can prepare your tooth, take digital impressions, and then send the information directly to our in-office milling machine for immediate fabrication. Once it’s created, we’ll bond it to your tooth and get you back to your busy schedule.
The Process: A Step-by-Step Look at Each Procedure
The dental crown procedure is designed to restore your tooth’s beauty and functionality; here are the steps you’ll undergo for the two types of crowns:
The Traditional Crown Process (Two Appointments)
For a traditional crown, these are the steps we follow:
- We’ll begin by numbing your tooth so you won’t feel anything.
- Next, we remove any damage or decay from your tooth. By removing a small amount of tooth structure, we make room for the crown.
- Then, we take digital impressions to send to the dental lab.
- We’ll place a temporary crown on your tooth. This protects it and allows you to smile and eat comfortably until your next visit.
- About two weeks later, we’ll remove your temporary crown and bond your permanent crown in place.
- We’ll check your bite and make any necessary adjustments.
The Same-Day Crown Process (One Appointment)
For a CEREC same-day crown, these are the steps we follow:
- First, we numb your tooth and prepare it by removing any damage or decay.
- Using an intraoral camera, we’ll take 3-D impressions of your teeth and then customize your crown with our specialized CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software.
- Then, using CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology, our in-office CEREC milling machine will carve your crown from a block of ceramic.
- Once it’s ready, we’ll polish it and bond it to your tooth. There’s no need for a temporary crown or multiple visits.
A Head-to-Head Comparison: Key Differences
To make the best decision for your oral health, budget, and smile goals, there are some key differences to consider, such as:
- Time: Traditional crowns require two visits, and same-day crowns require one visit.
- Process: Traditional crowns are created in an outside dental lab, and same-day crowns are made in our dental office.
- Materials: Traditional crowns can be made from ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and other materials, and same-day crowns are typically made from ceramic.
- Cost: Traditional crowns can be more cost-effective, and same-day crowns may be a more expensive option.
Making the Right Choice for Your Smile in Champaign
Before you can make an informed decision about whether a traditional or a same-day crown is the right choice for your smile, it’s essential to consider the following:
When a Same-Day Crown is the Best Choice
A CEREC same-day crown may be the best choice if you’re interested in the speed and convenience they offer or if you have a minor or cosmetic dental issue.
When a Traditional Crown May Be Recommended
A traditional crown may be a better option if you want better durability due to a complex dental issue or if you’re interested in a wider range of materials.
Schedule Your Crown Consultation at Anderson Dental
If you’d like to learn more about same-day crowns in Champaign, IL, our experienced dental team will happily assist you! At Anderson Dental, we strive to help every patient make informed decisions about their oral health. We will do everything possible to educate you about traditional and same-day crowns.
To schedule a crown consultation or make an appointment, please reach out to our dental office by calling (217) 356-7334.
We look forward to hearing from you!