What happens when you break a tooth at the most inconvenient time — such as before an important interview or just before another important event? The answer is the quick dental work known as same day crowns.
Same day crowns have become the alternative to traditional crowns as they are a quick and effective solution to not just emergencies but for those pressed for time in their regular schedules.
However, there are still tons of questions surrounding this new type of dental restoration work. Namely, what are the advantages over the disadvantages?
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of same day crowns as well as the pros and cons. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Same Day Crown?
Traditional dental crowns have been around for generations. However, they don’t fit all modern-day scenarios as they can take two or more weeks to create and multiple dental visits to install. That’s one of the reasons why same day crowns have stepped into the spotlight.
Same day dental crowns are crowns that get installed in just one appointment rather than multiple appointments and a long waiting period — and it’s all thanks to Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) technology.
CEREC technology has eliminated the need for temporary crowns and long waiting periods for traditional crowns as it allows dentists to create and install a crown in just one visit using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology.
Just like traditional crowns, same day crowns can do the following:
- Protect weak teeth
- Restore a broken tooth
- Cover and support teeth that have large fillings or dental implants
- Keep dental bridges in place
- Cover discolored teeth
- Improve the appearance of teeth
4 Advantages of Same Day Crowns
No matter the reason for getting a same day dental crown (or multiple crowns), they’re an excellent choice for a variety of reasons.
Below are the advantages of same day crowns:
1) They Restore Functions
Having a broken or damaged tooth doesn’t just affect your appearance or smile. It also affects your speech as well as your ability to eat and drink. Having a dentist that performs same day crowns means being able to have your tooth restored as soon as possible.
With same day crowns, functions like chewing, speaking, and especially smiling can go back to normal immediately. Plus, it eliminates the need for a temporary crown — which is favorable because temporary crowns tend to be weak and unreliable.
2) They Help Prevent Further Injury
Whether you’re trying to tough it out with a damaged tooth or have opted for a temporary crown, you’re running the risk of injury to your other healthy teeth, gums, cheeks, and even your lips. This is because a damaged tooth can have jagged edges, and a temporary crown is very susceptible to coming loose — and you don’t want to accidentally swallow or choke on a temporary crown!
Same day crowns are very durable. They also require less drilling, which helps preserve more of your natural tooth’s structure. Plus, they can cover a broken tooth with ease, so you won’t have to worry about any unnecessary cuts.
3) They Add to Your Comfort
The CAD and CAM technology that allows dentists to design and mold a restorative crown from your digital impressions is incredibly precise. This means your same day crown will be a perfect fit that provides maximum comfort.
Essentially, it’ll be like your natural tooth, and you won’t even know that you have a dental crown there.
4) They’re More Cost Effective
One of the primary differences between same day crowns and traditional crowns is the cost. While the costs are similar, same day crowns tend to be more affordable as you won’t have to pay for the extra dental appointments needed for traditional or even temporary crowns.
3 Disadvantages of Same Day Crowns
While you would think same day restorations come with a list of drawbacks, there are only really a few common complaints you’ll hear about same day crowns.
Below are the disadvantages:
1) They’re Not As Long-Lasting as Traditional Crowns
Same day crowns are made from a block of ceramic that dentists use a special milling machine to cut and mold from. Traditional crowns are made from either ceramic, porcelain, metal or a combination of all three.
The porcelain-fused-to-metal traditional crowns are known for being the strongest restoration materials in the dental world. However, same day crowns can still last just as long as their traditional counterparts when properly cared for.
2) It Can Be Difficult to Detect Some Fractures
If you’re suffering from a tooth fracture that extends below your gum line, a same day crown may not be ideal. This is because the computer-aided technology used to scan and create the design for same day crowns doesn’t always detect damages or issues below the gum line.
Therefore, if you have a below-the-gumline fracture, you may have to wait for a traditional dental crown to ensure that everything is addressed appropriately.
3) They Aren’t a Good Fit for Certain Conditions
Since same day crowns are made from ceramic, they’re not fit for everyone. People with certain conditions, such as bruxism, jaw clenching, and other issues, may require a stronger solution. In these instances, your dentist will likely recommend a metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.
Talk to Your Dentist About Same Day Crowns
Whether you need same day dental crowns or simply want to avoid multiple dentist visits and a long waiting period, same day crowns may be the solution for you. If you’re unsure if you’re a good candidate for immediate restoration, you’ll want to speak with your dentist about your options.
The dental professionals at Wayzata Dental offer same day crown work and are here to answer all of your questions. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our same day restoration services and the technology we use to make your dental visits virtually painless!