Same day crowns are ceramic crowns that are designed, made and fitted in a single appointment, using a digital scan and an in-practice milling unit instead of an external laboratory. One widely used system is CEREC. For suitable teeth, it means no messy impressions, no temporary crown and no second visit, but it isn’t the right choice for every tooth or every situation.
What a dental crown does
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth above the gum. It is used to protect and restore a tooth that is too damaged to be repaired reliably with a filling. Common reasons include:
- A large filling that is breaking down, with little natural tooth left around it
- A cracked tooth, or one with cusps that have broken off
- A back tooth after root canal treatment, which can become more brittle
- Severe wear from grinding or erosion
- Improving the shape or colour of a badly discoloured or misshapen tooth
Our page on dental crowns covers the reasons for crowns and the materials used in more detail.
How traditional crowns are made
To understand what makes same day crowns different, it helps to know the traditional process. Usually there are two appointments, often about two weeks apart:
- First visit: the tooth is prepared, an impression (mould) or scan is taken, and a temporary crown is fitted.
- In between: a dental laboratory makes the crown.
- Second visit: the temporary is removed, and the final crown is tried in, adjusted and cemented.
This approach works well and is still the preferred option in some situations. The downsides are two lots of local anaesthetic, two trips, and a temporary crown that can feel unfamiliar, come loose or let the tooth become sensitive while you wait.
How same day CEREC crowns work, step by step
CEREC uses computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to complete the whole process chairside. The appointment usually takes around two to three hours from start to finish, depending on the tooth and whether any extra steps are needed.
1. Assessment and preparation
The dentist numbs the tooth with local anaesthetic, removes any decay or old filling material, and shapes the tooth so there is room for the crown. If the tooth needs building up first, a core filling may be placed.
2. Digital scan
Instead of a tray of impression putty, a small intraoral camera captures a 3D digital image of the prepared tooth, neighbouring teeth and the opposite teeth you bite against. Many people find this more comfortable than traditional moulds.
3. Design
Using CEREC software, the dentist designs the crown on screen, shaping it to fit the prepared tooth, match the contours of nearby teeth and meet the opposite teeth correctly when you bite.
4. Milling
The design is sent to an in-practice milling unit, which carves the crown from a solid block of tooth-coloured ceramic. The block shade is chosen to suit your surrounding teeth.
5. Finishing
The crown is tried in and adjusted. Depending on the material, it may be stained and glazed or polished, and some materials are fired in a small oven to reach their final strength and appearance.
6. Bonding
The crown is bonded or cemented to the tooth, excess material is cleaned away, and your bite is checked and fine-tuned. You leave with the final crown in place.
Benefits of same day crowns
- One appointment. Less time off work or study and only one round of local anaesthetic.
- No temporary crown. You avoid the period where a temporary can loosen, break or let the tooth become sensitive.
- Digital scanning. Often more comfortable than traditional impression material, especially for people with a strong gag reflex.
- Tooth-coloured ceramic. Ceramic crowns can look natural, and there is no metal edge to show near the gum.
- Durable materials. Modern ceramic blocks are strong enough for most back teeth when the tooth and bite are suitable.
Limitations and when a lab-made crown may be preferable
Same day crowns are not suitable for every case. Your dentist may recommend a laboratory-made crown or another option if:
- The edge of the preparation is deep below the gum, where a clear digital scan is difficult
- You need a bridge with several connected units, or complex work on multiple teeth at once
- You have heavy grinding or clenching that calls for a particular material or design
- A highly visible front tooth needs intricate layering of colour and translucency to match neighbouring teeth
- The appointment length isn’t practical for you, for example because of jaw discomfort when the mouth is open for a long time
For replacing a missing tooth rather than covering a damaged one, a bridge or implant might be considered. Our crown and bridge page explains how these options compare.
Risks and what to expect afterwards
All crowns, same day or lab-made, involve removing some natural tooth structure, which is irreversible. Possible issues include:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days or weeks after preparation, which usually settles
- Bite adjustment. If the crown feels high once the anaesthetic wears off, a quick adjustment is usually needed
- Nerve problems. A heavily restored tooth may later need root canal treatment, even after a crown is placed
- Chipping, fracture or debonding, particularly with grinding or biting hard objects
- Decay at the margin where the crown meets the tooth if cleaning is not thorough
Brush twice a day, clean between teeth daily, avoid chewing ice or hard objects, wear a night guard if you grind, and keep up regular check-ups.
What do same day crowns cost?
Dental crowns at our Macquarie Park practice start from $1,820 per crown, with the fee confirmed after assessment. The final fee depends on the tooth involved, whether a core build-up or other treatment is needed first, and the material chosen. If you have extras cover, your health fund may pay a benefit depending on your fund and level of cover; it is worth checking the item numbers on your written estimate with them.
When to see a dentist
Book an appointment if you have a cracked or broken tooth, a large filling that has chipped or come out, pain when biting, or a tooth that has had root canal treatment and hasn’t yet been crowned. At North Ryde Dentistry, the dentist will examine the tooth, take x-rays where needed and explain whether a same day CEREC crown, a lab-made crown, a filling or another option suits your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a same day crown appointment take?
Usually around two to three hours from start to finish, including preparation, scanning, design, milling and fitting. Complex teeth may take longer.
Are same day crowns as strong as lab-made crowns?
Modern ceramic blocks used for same day crowns are strong enough for most back teeth when the tooth and bite are suitable. In some situations, such as heavy grinding or complex cases, a lab-made crown may be recommended.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Some sensitivity or gum tenderness for a few days afterwards is common and usually settles.
Can every tooth have a same day crown?
No. Teeth with preparation edges deep below the gum, multi-tooth bridges and some front teeth needing detailed colour layering may be better suited to a lab-made crown. Your dentist will advise after assessment.
How long do CEREC crowns last?
Regular check-ups help catch problems early.
If you have a damaged tooth and would like to know whether a single-visit crown is an option, we can assess it for you. Call North Ryde Dentistry on (02) 8090 1102 or book an appointment.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist. Any treatment carries risks; your dentist will discuss whether it is suitable for you.
Related at North Ryde Dentistry: our North Ryde dental clinic