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When a patient needs a dental crown, most dentists coordinate with a local laboratory to design and create the restoration. While that process is effective, more and more care providers are gravitating toward a different method. They use CAD/CAM technology to fabricate same-day crowns right in their dental office! What are some of the biggest differences between these two types of dental crowns? In this blog post, we touch on some of the most outstanding.
Treatment Timeline
Lab-made crowns typically require two visits to the dentist’s office. During the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth, takes an impression, and places a temporary crown to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being crafted in a lab, a process that can take a few weeks to complete.
In contrast, same-day crowns eliminate the need for a temporary crown. Using CAD/CAM technology, a dentist can design, fabricate, and place the crown in a single visit, often within just a few hours.
Appearance
Lab-made crowns can be made of various materials, some of which do not look very good. For example, they may be made of metals that clash with the natural color of enamel. Or, they might be porcelain-fused-to-metal, which can create a dark line at the base of the teeth. Same-day crowns, on the other hand, are always made of high-quality dental ceramic. It blends in beautifully with the surrounding dentition and is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Precision
Precision is crucial for the fit and function of a dental crown. Lab-made crowns benefit from the skilled hands of dental technicians who can fine-tune the restoration so that it fits well. However, they sometimes must rely on old-fashioned manual impressions, which are not always accurate. In turn, they can lead to poorly fitting restorations.
Same-day crowns offer a high degree of precision due to the use of digital impressions and CAD/CAM technology. The automated milling process can create crowns that fit accurately and comfortably.
Cost
The cost of lab-made and same-day crowns is comparable. However, since same-day crowns are made in-house, they can reduce your dentist’s overhead expenses, which might translate to slight savings for you.
Both lab-made and same-day crowns have their advantages, but if you are the sort of person who values efficiency without the sacrifice of quality, the latter option may be best for you!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Brenda Berkal has been serving patients for more than 45 years. She is enthusiastic about using the latest technology to provide the best care experience, which is why our team uses the remarkable CEREC same-day crown system. To learn more about this advanced tool or to request an appointment with us, contact our Derry, NH, office at 603-434-4090.