What to Expect When You Get a Same-Day Dental Crown

Most people would rather do just about anything than sit in a dentist's chair for two appointments, two rounds of numbing shots, and two weeks of waiting with a temporary crown that feels loose every time you chew. With the advancement of modern dentistry and same-day dental crowns, also called CEREC crowns, none of that inconvenience is necessary. No temporary crown. No second appointment. You walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out with a permanent restoration the same afternoon. 

If you’re thinking faster means poorer quality, you might be surprised. Long-term studies find that CEREC restorations had a survival rate of nearly 95% at five years, which is comparable to the survival rates of traditional dental restorations. 

Continue reading to learn how same-day crowns are a reliable option for certain situations, what to expect when you get a CEREC restoration, and where to find the best dentist in West San Jose for same-day CEREC crowns.

What to Expect When Getting a Same-Day Dental Crown? 

Getting a same-day dental crown, or CEREC crown, is a similar experience to getting a regular crown, only faster: 

• The first thing your dentist does is numb the area around the tooth so you don't feel anything while they work. Once you're comfortable, they use a small handheld camera to take a detailed 3D scan of your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. If you’ve gotten a traditional dental crown in the past, you’ll be happy to know there's no cold, rubbery putty being pressed into your mouth and no gagging. 
• Next, your dentist uses advanced dental technology to map out the shape and fit of your new dental crown, customizing it to match the size and color of your natural teeth. When the design is ready, it gets sent to a milling machine in the office, which carves your crown out of a solid block of ceramic in roughly 15 minutes. 
• When the milling is done, your dentist places the crown with temporary cement first so both of you can check that the fit feels right and the color blends in naturally. Once everything looks good, the crown gets permanently bonded to your tooth. 

The whole appointment typically runs two to three hours, and you leave with a permanent dental restoration the same day.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Same-Day Crown?

Most people who need a crown are surprised to find out they're already a good candidate for the same-day version. Same-day dental crowns are a great treatment for: 

• A broken tooth or chipped tooth
• Cracked teeth
• Severely decayed teeth
• Teeth that are worn down to the point where it's uncomfortable to bite or chew

That said, a same-day crown isn't always the best fit for every situation: 

• If your tooth has been damaged below the gumline, your dentist may recommend a traditional lab-made dental crown instead, because getting an accurate fit that deep requires more precise work than the in-office milling process allows. 
• Front teeth sometimes fall into this category too, since matching the exact shade and translucency of a visible tooth can require the fine-tuning that a dental lab technician provides by hand. 
• People who grind their teeth heavily at night may also need a different material, since ceramic crowns can wear faster under that kind of repeated pressure. And if you have advanced gum disease, your dentist will likely want to treat that first. 

Does Getting a Same-Day Dental Crown Hurt?

If dental appointments make you nervous, knowing exactly what to expect can take the edge off. Understand that the first thing your dentist does is numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. You'll feel a small pinch when the needle goes in, and then within a minute or two, the area goes numb and stays that way for the rest of the procedure. From that point on, you might feel some pressure or vibration while your dentist shapes the tooth, but you shouldn't feel pain. 

After getting your crown, you'll likely still feel some numbness in your lips or cheek for a few hours after you leave, so be careful eating or drinking anything hot until the feeling fully comes back. Over the next couple of days, it's normal for the tooth and surrounding gum tissue to feel a little sore or sensitive, especially to temperature changes. That typically fades on its own within a few days.

CEREC Aftercare: How to Care for Your New Dental Crown

Once you leave the dental office, there are few things you should know about caring for your new dental crown:

• For the first 24 hours, chew on the opposite side of your mouth as much as possible so the bonding cement can reach its full strength 
• Avoid chewing anything sticky, hard, or very crunchy for the next few days, especially caramel, hard candy, ice, and crusty bread
• Understand that it's normal for your new crown to feel slightly different at first, but if it still feels high or uneven after a day or two, call your dentist and ask to have it adjusted

After that initial window, caring for your crown is no different from caring for your natural teeth: 

• Brush twice a day
• Floss daily, and pay extra attention to flossing around the base of the crown where plaque can build up against the gumline
• Keep up with your regular dental checkups and cleanings

How Much Does a Same-Day Crown Cost?

Cost is one of the first things people want to know, and it's a fair question to ask before you sit down in the chair. The honest answer is that the price varies depending on where you live, which tooth needs the crown, and what your dental insurance covers. Same-day crowns can run slightly higher than traditional lab-made crowns because of the in-office milling technology involved, but that difference is often smaller than people expect.

What you actually pay out of pocket depends on a few things: 

• Your dental insurance plan's annual maximum
• How much of your deductible you've already used for the year
• Whether you’re working with a dentist who is in-network

As the best dentist in West San Jose, we can run a pre-treatment benefits check with your insurance to estimate what your out-of-pocket costs will be. 

Finding the Best Dentist in West San Jose for Same-Day Dental Restorations

A damaged tooth has a way of affecting more than just how you chew. It can interfere with eating your favorite foods and cause you to hide your smile in photos or put a hand in front of your face when you laugh. Getting a same-day dental crown makes restoring your smile easier and faster than ever before.

At Pries Dental, we've seen firsthand how much of a difference it makes for patients who have been avoiding treatment simply because life doesn't have room for two appointments and two weeks of waiting. This is why Dr. Pries offers CEREC same-day crowns. As the best restorative dentist in West San Jose, Dr. Pries and his team handle every step of your care in one place, including advanced dental technology like digital dental imaging and precision milling for the perfect fit. 

Ready to skip the wait and get your cracked or broken tooth fixed with a same-day crown from the best dentist in West San Jose?