Dental crowns are a common dental restoration that can be used to restore severely damaged or decayed teeth. They can also be used for cosmetic reasons to improve the appearance or function of the tooth. However, one common complaint about getting a dental crown is that it takes too long. Luckily, technological advances in dentistry have been able to offer up a solution to this problem with the introduction of same day dental crowns.
Traditionally, it would take two dental appointments to place a dental crown. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared by being reduced in size to accommodate the crown. Then a dental impression is taken and sent to a dental laboratory so the crown can be fabricated. A temporary crown is then placed and worn until the permanent crown is placed during the second appointment.
With a same day crown, however, this entire process can be completed during one appointment. This is because in-office milling machines now allow for dental crowns to be fabricated in your dental office while you wait. This means that you won’t need to wait the usual 1-2 weeks for the dental lab to finish your permanent crown. There are several other benefits of getting a same day crown, including:
No Dental Impressions
Most people don’t enjoy awkwardly holding their mouth open for a metal or plastic tray filled with artificially flavored goo. Still dental impressions are used to obtain the information needed to fabricate a crown. However, the in-office milling machines used for same day crowns come with their own digital scanner that is used to obtain the necessary information. This means that you won’t need to undergo a dental impression.
Better Fit
Besides the simple fact that you won’t have to suffer through a dental impression, the oral scanner used by the in-office milling machine is also far more accurate than a dental impression. This is because the scanner utilizes digital technology to map out every part of the tooth, then designs a crown that will fit perfectly. As a result, your crown will look natural, align with your natural teeth, and be comfortable.
Made with High-Quality Materials
Once concern some people have with same day crowns is that they worry the crown is made out of cheap materials. However, same day crowns are not the same thing as temporary crowns and are made out of quality dental materials. This is because same day crowns are made to be permanent restorations, so they need to be durable and aesthetic. Same day crowns are often fabricated from ceramic and will last for many years.
No Temporary Crowns
The final benefit of a same day crown is that it eliminates the need for a temporary dental crown. For many people, wearing a temporary crown is the worst part of getting a dental crown. This is because temporary crowns are meant to be temporary and are therefore made from cheaper materials. This means that they are less likely to fit properly and more likely to become damaged or fall off while eating. As a result, it is recommended to not chew on the side of your mouth that has a temporary crown. Luckily, having a same day crown means that you won’t need to suffer through wearing a temporary crown for the usual 1-2 weeks. In fact, you won’t need to wear one at all.