Same-Day Dental Crowns: What To Know

While you can have a traditional crown treatment, some dentists also offer same-day crown procedures. Read on to learn how this option works and about its advantages and disadvantages.

What Are Same-Day Crowns?

Traditional crown procedures take some time. You'll have multiple appointments over a period of days or weeks depending on how long your crown takes to make. 

Your dentist has to take at least one mold impression of the tooth. They then file down the tooth to get it ready before fitting a temporary crown.

You then wait until your permanent crown is made. Once it is, you go back to your dentist. They remove the temporary crown and put on the permanent one.

Same-day crown treatments are done in a day. Your dentist uses digital imaging to create a blueprint scan for the crown. They then make the crown on-site while they prepare your tooth.

After a couple of hours, your crown should be ready to fit. You can stay in your dentist's office while you wait or return later in the day if you prefer.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Same-Day Crowns?

If you want a crown fitted fast, then a same-day procedure is a good choice. You'll complete your treatment in just a few hours rather than in days or weeks.

You also won't need to wear a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent tooth to be ready. While temporary crowns will cover your tooth, they aren't attached as strongly as permanent ones, and they won't necessarily give you an exact fit.

So, your temporary crown might feel uncomfortable, and you might find it hard to eat normally. Sometimes, these crowns can dislodge and fall off, and you'll need another dentist's appointment to refix the tooth.

However, same-day crowns do have some disadvantages. Dentists typically make these crowns from standard ceramics. You might not be able to use a different material if you have an expedited treatment.

Plus, your new crown might not be an exact color match with your other teeth. Your dentist might not have access to a full range of shades, so your new crown might not blend in as effectively as a traditional replacement tooth.

You might also run into problems with decay on the tooth here. If your tooth still has a problem when you're wearing a temporary crown, then your dentist can simply remove the tooth and fix the problem before fitting your permanent crown. Same-day crowns mighty mask problems for longer.

For more advice, talk to your dentist. They can help you choose the right crowning procedure for your needs.