In the US, about 15 million people have at least one dental crown, so there is a good chance you may need one at some point throughout your life. Improvements in technology have enabled dentists to use different techniques to manufacture a crown and cement it into the mouth on the same day. Let’s discuss what a crown is, how it’s made, and the advantages and disadvantages of having it prepared and placed in one day.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a prepared tooth or dental implant. A dentist may recommend a crown for several reasons, including:
- To treat a large cavity
- To support a weak or cracked tooth
- To protect the tooth after a root canal
- To improve the appearance of the tooth
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials such as:
- Metal, including gold
- Porcelain fused to metal
- Zirconia
- Ceramic
With proper care, a dental crown can and should last for many years.
How is a crown made?
Traditionally, a dentist shapes the affected tooth and then takes impressions or molds of the prepared tooth. The mold is then sent to a dental laboratory, where a lab technician constructs the crown per the dentist’s instructions. A week later, the dentist has the crown ready to cement into the patient’s mouth.
New technology allows a dentist to utilize a high-resolution digital camera to take a 3-dimensional picture of the prepared tooth and surrounding structures. These digital impressions replace the somewhat uncomfortable impressions used in the past.
This digital impression is transferred to a computer, where the dentist uses specialized software to design the crown. An in-office milling station then utilizes the design to carve the crown out of a block of the zirconia or ceramic material the dentist decides to use. Within an hour, the dentist has the crown ready to cement into the patient’s mouth.
Is there a difference between a same-day crown and a laboratory-made crown?
Having a same-day crown is a convenience, but the appointment requires more time in the dental chair than it would be to send the molds to an outside lab. The patient has to wait in the dental chair until the crown is designed and constructed. The other drawback is that the same-day crown only applies to the ceramic and zirconia crowns. If a gold crown or a porcelain fused to metal crown is needed, the case will be sent to an outside lab, necessitating another visit a week or so later.
The quality of a same-day crown is equal to that of a laboratory-made crown. The same materials are generally used and sometimes the same type of milling machine is utilized by the dental lab. Not all dental offices make crowns in their office, some only use outside dental labs.
In time, it will become more common to see the crowns prepared and cemented during the same appointment. Technology moves fast in the medical/dental settings, but new technology always has limitations. Talk to your dentist to find out what new technology they are incorporating in their office.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
