What sets same-day dental crowns apart from their original counterparts? Essentially, it all boils down to CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) methodology, which condenses the entire process — from preparation to completion — into two hours. Considering that the traditional method of producing and placing dental crowns can take weeks, you can save time and protect your teeth faster when you opt for same-day crowns. And that’s just one advantage of replenishing your smile the CEREC® way!

What Are the Advantages of Same-Day Crowns?

When you get crowns the traditional way, it often takes multiple appointments to complete the process. From taking a dental impression — be that with dental putty or via digital impression technology — to finally fitting the crown where it’s supposed to be, you’ll be running between multiple time-consuming and money-draining appointments. That’s not the case with the CEREC® methodology.

When you get same-day crowns, you’ll open and resolve all loose ends in a few hours. You’ll never have to follow up about your dental crowns again, aside from at your regular checkups with a dentist. Beyond all the associated admin, same-day crowns are safe, durable and permanent.

If you’re concerned that the abridged timeline may compromise on quality, you can rest assured that modern technological advancements — and, of course, CEREC® — allow for high-quality work in a shorter space of time. Depending on your location, the initial cost of same-day crowns may hurt, but it’s important to remember that this is ultimately a money-saving venture. Think of all the annual leave (or shifts) you will save and lab fees you will forgo!

How Is the Procedure of Getting a Same-Day Crown Done?

We’ve given a glowing review of same-day crowns, but what are the specifics of the procedure itself? Let’s hone in on the nitty-gritty.

Step 1: Preparing the Tooth

The first step towards getting a dental crown is for your dentist to examine your tooth and clean and prepare it for its incoming addition. They will administer a local anaesthetic to the site to ensure that the procedure goes ahead without pain. Your dentist will then remove any enamel necessary, prepare the tooth for scanning, and ultimately cut the tooth down to size to fit a dental crown on top. To accommodate the dental crown, your dentist may need to shave some of the surrounding teeth, as well.

Step 2: Scanning the Tooth

Using an intraoral camera, your dentist will take three-dimensional photographs of the inside of your mouth, which will inform their choices regarding crown aesthetics, shape and colour. The camera is highly manoeuvrable and comes on a wand that your dentist can use to access the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies of your mouth.

Step 3: Creating a Computer-Generated 3D Model

Using CAD/CAM computer programs, your dentist will construct a dental crown model from the three-dimensional photographs. They will colour-match your crown to your natural teeth, working at the model until everything looks right. Once they’ve achieved the desired image, your dentist will send the blueprints to the milling unit, where the two-dimensional will become three-dimensional.

Step 4: Creating the Crown

Starting from a block of material, your crown will materialise as per the blueprint thanks to precise rotary cutters. Digital images will only bolster the final product, giving it a cleaner finish and more precise pattern, which will make for a more seamless fit in your mouth.

Step 5: Placing the Dental Crown

In the final step, your dentist will bond your new dental crown to your tooth. You may experience numbness for two hours afterwards due to the anaesthetic. However, once that’s all died down, you’ll be smiling again as normal!

How To Care for Your Same-Day Crown After the Procedure?

Essentially, caring for dental crowns is no different to caring for natural teeth. You need to brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss at least once per day, lest the enamel beneath your crown begins to decay. As usual, you should also attend dental checkups every six months so that your dentist can monitor your dental health, as well as catch if your crown is coming loose.

Dentists can also monitor the ceramic material for any issues. If you wish to preserve the life and condition of your crown, there are also some habits you should avoid. The first is clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth.

If you experience bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep), you may wish to hit up your dentist for a mouthguard to wear at night. The second is chewing on hard things — be these ice cubes, boiled lollies, pens or fingernails. You may have the most high-quality ceramic crown in the world, but if you subject it to hard surfaces, it will eventually break beneath the pressure.

How To Find a Dentist Who Offers Same-Day Crowns Near You?

There are a number of ways you can find a local dentist offering same-day crowns. For starters, a classic Google search for ‘same-day crowns’ or ‘CEREC dentists’ can bring up a wealth of local results (assuming you’re sharing your location), and you can browse the websites or customer reviews you find to get a feel for each place. You can also ask your nearest and dearest for recommendations, as word of mouth can be as powerful in person as it is online.

If you have dental insurance, you may wish to research clinics that accept your elected health fund. You could even schedule consultations with different dentists and compare the vibes you get from each place. If you’re looking for a Collingwood dentist for same-day crowns, look no further than Abbotsford Dental. Located in the heart of the inner city, we are the local choice for patients from Abbotsford, Collingwood, Clifton Hill, Richmond, Fitzroy or Kew.

If you want high-quality, same-day dental crowns from local experts well-versed in the CEREC® methodology, Abbotsford Dental is the clinic for you. Book your consultation today to find out if our same-day crowns are right for you!