Same-day Crowns: Permanent Crowns in Just One Visit

Many people have received crowns before and know the usual procedure: Their tooth will be prepared for a crown, a mold will be taken and then they will go home with a temporary crown while the new one is made. They’ll come back a week or two later and get the new crown permanently cemented. Although crowns are necessary, we understand the inconvenience of two office visits. That’s why we’ve invested in new technology that lets us offer same-day crowns. This is perfect for patients who find it hard to make time for two appointments close together.

People often need crowns when they have a large filling or root canal that may need to be strengthened. In other cases, a tooth may have cracked or had cosmetic damage. A crown (also sometimes called a “cap”) is placed over the top of the tooth and fixes all these problems.

If you suspect you need a crown, come see me for a free consultation and let’s find out. If you already know you need a crown, call to schedule your same-day crown appointment. My goal is to make the whole procedure as fast and simple as possible for you.

If you’ve ever had a dental crown but it’s been a while, you’re in for a nice surprise. With the modern technology we have in our office, we can now provide you with a permanent crown in just one visit rather than two.

Crowns traditionally required two visits because the permanent crown is made offsite at a dental lab and can’t be installed until the lab returns it to the office. The usual procedure has been: During the first visit, the dentist numbs the area, reshapes the tooth, makes a mold of the tooth for the lab and places a temporary crown on the affected tooth. When the permanent crown is sent back from the lab, the patient comes back in for a second visit so their crown can be cemented in place.

With our new state-of-the-art system, we can create same-day crowns using a much shorter, easier process. The first couple of steps are the same. We’ll numb you and reshape the tooth that will be crowned. However, here’s what’s new: After the tooth is reshaped, Dr. Davis then uses a small, hand-held camera to take a 3D image of the tooth to be crowned. This image will be fed directly into a computerized system which will immediately cut and shape your new crown from a very hard, durable substance similar to porcelain. Dr. Davis will then permanently place your new crown.

With our new system, the entire process can be completed in our own office in just one visit. Not only does this save our patients the time and inconvenience of a second visit, it also eliminates the need for numbing the area again. Additionally, it does away with the need for a temporary crown which can trigger a sensitivity to cold. We’re very pleased to make this enhanced service available to all our patients.

A crown is a tooth-colored covering for one of your teeth. It protects a tooth that has been damaged or weakened, enabling it to continue functioning for many years. A crown may be needed for a number of different reasons.

Some of the reasons you may need a crown include:

• When a tooth has a large cavity or fracture, a crown is needed to protect the tooth and prevent further damage.
  

• When a large filling is placed, there may not be enough tooth left for the tooth plus the filling to survive the stresses of chewing. A crown improves the longevity of the tooth.

• If a tooth breaks or has been eroded by grinding of the teeth at night, a crown restores the proper shape and height of the tooth.
  

• If a tooth is badly shaped, discolored or has otherwise suffered cosmetic damage, a crown masks the imperfection.

• When an anchor for a bridge is needed, a crown on either side of the bridge will be used to secure it.