Transform Your Smile in One Visit: The Benefits of Same Day Crowns with CEREC Technology
- drsepehri1
- Dec 13, 2025
- 4 min read
When a damaged or decayed tooth needs a crown, the traditional process often means multiple dental visits, uncomfortable impressions, and waiting weeks for a lab to craft your crown. What if you could get a beautiful, strong crown in just one visit? Thanks to advanced digital CEREC technology, same day crowns offer a precise, comfortable, and efficient solution to restore your smile quickly without compromising quality.
This post explores how same day crowns work, their benefits, and why they are becoming the preferred choice for patients seeking durable and natural-looking dental restorations.
What Are Same Day Crowns?
Same day crowns are dental restorations created and placed during a single dental appointment. Unlike traditional crowns, which require multiple visits and temporary crowns, same day crowns use digital scanning and on-site milling machines to fabricate the crown while you wait.
The process involves:
Digital scanning of your tooth using an intraoral camera, eliminating messy impressions.
Designing the crown on a computer with precise measurements.
Milling the crown from a solid block of ceramic or porcelain right in the dental office.
Fitting and bonding the crown to your tooth during the same visit.
This approach combines precision, speed, and comfort, allowing patients to leave with a fully restored tooth in just a few hours.
How CEREC Technology Makes Same Day Crowns Possible
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology is the key behind same day crowns. It integrates digital imaging, computer-aided design (CAD), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to create crowns with exceptional accuracy.
Here’s how CEREC works:
Digital Scanning
The dentist uses a handheld intraoral scanner to capture a detailed 3D image of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. This replaces traditional putty impressions, making the process more comfortable and faster.
Designing the Crown
The digital model appears on a computer screen, where the dentist designs the crown to fit perfectly with your bite and tooth shape. The software allows for adjustments to ensure a natural look and proper function.
On-Site Milling
Once the design is finalized, the data is sent to a milling machine in the office. The machine carves the crown from a solid ceramic block with high precision.
Fitting and Bonding
The dentist checks the fit and appearance of the crown, makes any minor adjustments, and bonds it securely to your tooth.
This entire process typically takes 1 to 2 hours, allowing you to complete your treatment in a single visit.
Benefits of Same Day Crowns
1. Fewer Appointments and Immediate Results
Traditional crowns require at least two visits: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, and another to place the permanent crown after it arrives from the lab. Same day crowns eliminate the need for multiple appointments, saving you time and hassle.
You leave the office with a permanent crown, avoiding the inconvenience of temporary crowns that can fall off or cause sensitivity.
2. Comfortable and Gentle Procedure
Digital scanning replaces uncomfortable impression trays filled with putty. The process is quick, non-invasive, and more pleasant for patients who have gag reflexes or anxiety about dental impressions.
The precise fit of the crown also reduces the need for multiple adjustments, making the procedure smoother.
3. Durable and Natural-Looking Crowns
CEREC crowns are made from high-quality ceramic materials that closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. They are strong, stain-resistant, and biocompatible, meaning they are gentle on your gums and surrounding teeth.
The digital design ensures a perfect fit, which helps prevent issues like decay or gum irritation around the crown.
4. Precision and Accuracy
The digital workflow minimizes human error. The 3D scans capture every detail of your tooth, and the milling machine carves the crown with exact specifications. This precision improves the longevity and function of the crown.
5. Cost-Effective Over Time
While the upfront cost of same day crowns may be comparable to traditional crowns, the reduced number of visits and fewer adjustments can save money on dental appointments and temporary crown replacements.
Who Can Benefit from Same Day Crowns?
Same day crowns are suitable for most patients who need a crown due to:
Tooth decay or cavities that weaken the tooth
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
Cosmetic improvements to improve tooth shape or color
Your dentist will evaluate your specific case to determine if a same day crown is the best option. Some complex cases may still require traditional lab-made crowns, but many patients find same day crowns meet their needs effectively.
What to Expect During Your Same Day Crown Appointment
Here is a typical timeline for a same day crown visit:
Initial Consultation
Your dentist examines your tooth and discusses treatment options.
Tooth Preparation
The dentist removes decay or shapes the tooth to fit the crown.
Digital Scan
A 3D scan captures your tooth and bite.
Crown Design and Milling
While you wait, the crown is designed and milled on-site.
Fitting and Bonding
The dentist checks the crown’s fit and appearance, then bonds it permanently.
Final Adjustments
Minor bite adjustments ensure comfort and function.
The entire process usually takes 1 to 2 hours, allowing you to return to your daily activities with a restored smile.
Caring for Your Same Day Crown
Once your crown is placed, caring for it is similar to caring for natural teeth:
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss gently around the crown to prevent plaque buildup.
Avoid biting hard objects like ice or hard candy.
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
With proper care, same day crowns can last 10 to 15 years or longer.
Same day crowns with CEREC technology offer a fast, comfortable, and precise way to restore damaged teeth without multiple visits or temporary crowns. By combining digital scanning, on-site fabrication, and expert fitting, this approach delivers natural-looking, durable crowns in just one appointment.
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