What would you do if you broke a tooth the day before your wedding or an important interview? Would your dentist be able to repair it in time? If she has the right technology, the answer is yes!
Gone are the days when patients had to visit the dentist multiple times to have a dental crown placed. It used to be common for patients to walk around for a week or two with an unattractive shaved-down tooth or an unreliable temporary crown. Nowadays, your dentist can do the whole process from preparing your tooth to crown installation in just a few hours.
Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?
Patients get dental crowns for two major reasons, to protect badly damaged teeth or to improve their physical appearance for a more natural and uniform look.
On occasions, patients have gone through previous dental treatments that left one or more teeth standing out from the rest. Given that crowns can cover these imperfections quite easily, it’s normal to see patients ask for them. On the other hand, a patient may have a tooth that’s been weakened to the point of needing additional structural support. This can result from tooth decay, an injury resulting in a broken tooth, etc.
Whichever the case may be, you can be sure that dental crowns will protect your teeth’s health while giving a beautiful smile.
What Are Same-Day Dental Crowns?
Same-day dental crowns, as the name implies, are a type of crown that your dentist makes and installs in a single appointment. This is possible thanks to your dentist having CAD/CAM technology to design a custom dental crown digitally in minutes. This procedure can be a lifesaver when you find yourself in a bind!
Not all dentists offer this treatment. Be sure to view a dentist’s “services” tab for same-day crowns or the “technology” tab for CAD/CAM technology. To learn more about this restorative dentistry service, contact our office directly.
Continue reading this blog to learn the advantages and disadvantages of one-day dental crowns.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
Having your tooth treated and restored in one day is the obvious benefit of same-day dental crowns. Other advantages include:
Restores Function
A broken or damaged tooth affects your smile’s appearance, speech patterns, and eating habits. So, having your tooth restored as soon as possible is important! With same-day crowns, chewing and speaking functions are immediately restored, so you don’t have to deal with a weak, unreliable temporary crown.
Prevents Injury
Again, avoiding a temporary crown is key. Temporary crowns are more susceptible to coming loose, which can cause injury to your neighboring teeth or gums. Same-day crowns also require less drilling to preserve more of your natural tooth structure.
Promotes Comfort
The precise CAD/CAM technology allows dentists to design a restoration that fits accurately and comfortably. Our dentist also takes digital impressions so your dental crown is more precise, and the entire process is much more enjoyable.
Saves Money
Although same-day crowns and traditional crowns alone cost about the same, patients save money because they don’t have to pay for an extra appointment or temporary crown.
Drawbacks of Same-Day Crowns
There are only two common complaints about same-day crowns:
Less Durable
Dentists use a milling machine that crafts same-day crowns from a block of ceramic. Traditional crowns typically consist of metal, porcelain, ceramic, or a combination of those. Because metal bonds extremely well to teeth, metal crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are commonly known to be the strongest restoration materials.
However, a same-day crown can last as long as a traditional crown when it is properly cared for.
Unable To Detect Some Fractures
If you have a tooth fracture that extends below the gum line, a traditional crown may be a better fit. The computer-aided technology may not detect issues or damage below the gum line.
The Takeaway
Whether you need an immediate restoration because of time constraints, or you simply want to avoid multiple appointments and a temporary crown, same-day crowns are an effective, affordable restorative solution.
For patients who struggle with bruxism and jaw clenching, dentists may suggest you a metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.
Discuss Same-Day Crowns with Your Dentist
If you’re unsure about which solution is best for your smile, schedule an initial consultation with a same-day crown dentist today. The dentist will evaluate your damaged tooth, discuss your oral health habits, and weigh the pros and cons with you.
She will help you make the best decision to restore your smile back to its full health, function, and beauty.
