With a same-day CEREC® crown, you walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out the same day with a permanent, custom crown - no temporary and no second visit. The appointment usually takes about two to three hours: prepare the tooth, take a digital scan, mill the crown in-office, and bond it in place.
If your dentist has recommended a crown, you might be picturing two appointments, a goopy impression, and a couple of weeks wearing a temporary. With same-day crown technology, that’s no longer the case. At Smile Arc Dental Group in 4S Ranch, San Diego, we use CEREC same-day crowns to restore your tooth from start to finish in one visit. Here’s exactly what to expect, step by step, so you can walk in feeling confident.
First, What Is a Same-Day Crown?
A same-day crown is a permanent, custom-made dental crown that’s designed, milled, and placed in a single appointment using CEREC technology (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic). It’s made from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic right in our office - so there’s no temporary crown and no waiting weeks for a dental lab.
Step by Step - Your Same-Day Crown Visit
Here’s how the appointment typically goes:
- Numbing and preparation. We make sure you’re comfortable, then gently remove any decay and shape the tooth so the crown will fit perfectly.
- Digital scan. Instead of a putty impression, we use a small handheld scanner to capture your tooth in minutes - comfortable and accurate, with no gag-inducing trays.
- Designing your crown. Using the scan, we design your crown on screen, customizing its shape and fit to match your bite and your natural teeth.
- In-office milling. Our milling unit carves your crown from a ceramic block, usually in minutes, while you relax.
- Bonding and polishing. We bond the finished crown to your tooth, check your bite, make any small adjustments, and polish it to a natural shine.
The whole visit usually takes about two to three hours - and you leave with your final crown in place.
Does It Hurt?
The procedure is comfortable and similar to getting a filling. Because it’s all done in one visit, you only need to be numbed once - no second round of anesthesia at a follow-up appointment. Most people feel completely normal the same day, with maybe a little mild sensitivity that fades quickly.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
There’s not much you need to do, but a few tips help:
- Eat beforehand, since your mouth may be numb for a little while afterward.
- Plan for a couple of hours so you’re not rushed.
- Bring your questions - we’re happy to walk you through anything.
Caring for Your New Crown
Same-day crowns are strong and durable - typically lasting 10-15 years or more with good care, comparable to lab-made crowns. Care for it just like a natural tooth: brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with regular checkups. Avoid using your teeth as tools (opening packages, chewing ice), which can damage any crown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a same-day crown appointment take?
A: Usually about two to three hours from start to finish - including preparing the tooth, scanning, milling, and bonding your finished crown. You leave the same day with a permanent crown.
Q: Is a same-day crown as good as a lab-made crown?
A: Yes. Same-day CEREC crowns are made from strong, tooth-colored ceramic and are designed to last as long as traditional lab crowns - with the bonus of being completed in one visit.
Q: Will I need a temporary crown?
A: No. That’s the whole point of a same-day crown - your permanent crown is made and placed in the same appointment, so there’s no temporary and no return visit.
Ready for a Crown Without the Wait?
Learn more about our same-day CEREC crowns, or call Smile Arc Dental Group at (858) 277-8084 to schedule. Conveniently located in 4S Ranch, serving Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Poway, and North County San Diego.
Reviewed by Dr. Mora, Restorative & Implant Dentist at Smile Arc Dental Group.