Are you interested in same-day crowns? If provided by a skilled cosmetic dentist, a same-day crown is a long-lasting solution for a severely damaged or worn tooth. At the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, our cosmetic dentists have extensive training in the techniques and tools required to give you a crown that lasts.
But does the convenience of this technology come at a higher price than traditional crowns? What can you expect if you choose a same-day crown?
- What Are Same-Day Crowns?
There are many different types of restorations referred to as same-day crowns. Some call them crowns-in-a-day, while others refer to them as CEREC (a brand name) or E4D (another brand). In any case, a same-day crown is a full-coverage restoration, which means it covers all visible surfaces of a tooth. A crown is sometime referred to as a “cap.”
Traditional crown process
When a full-coverage restoration is necessary, your tooth we will prepare your tooth and take digital impressions of it. The impressions are sent to a dental lab to make the crown, or cap. The process takes about two weeks, so you’ll wear a temporary crown in the interim and return to the office to when lab-made one is ready.
New CAD/CAM technology
Same-day crowns CAD/CAM technology
As dental technology improved, machines were developed that could craft restorations in the dental office. This technology is referred to as CAD/CAM (computer-aided design & computer-aided manufacturing). Not all dental offices invest in the technology, but the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry has done so. We use CEREC technology for CAD/CAM restorations. If you are a candidate for this treatment, you can have your tooth restored in one visit.
Same-day crown uses
- Broken teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Cosmetic changes
Beautiful, convenient, and durable
Lab-made crowns come in many forms, including porcelain, full-cast metal, and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). In-office crowns are ceramic and made from same building blocks as porcelain and traditional tooth-colored fillings, so they are very strong and look like a natural tooth.
- How the Cost of Same-Day Crowns Compares with Other Types of Crowns
Purchasing a machine that can make in-office restorations is a major expense. Some patients are concerned about the paying more for the convenience of in-office crowns and only having to visit the dentist once to receive a crown. But there is good news.
Lab-made and same-day crown costs are comparable
There are fees associated with any type of tooth restoration—whether it’s a lab-made or an in-office crown. But the cost of same-day crowns is similar to the cost of crowns made in a lab.
Most dental offices, including the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, accept insurance. Using standard dental billing codes, the contracted fee for a restoration is the same regardless of where the crown is made.
From an insurance perspective, there is a difference with the materials used to make a crown. For example, a porcelain restoration is generally more expensive than a porcelain-fused-to metal (PFM) crown. Although you might choose an all-porcelain or all-ceramic crown, insurance companies will often pay only the cost of a PFM crown. The PFM crown is considered to be functional and sufficient to restore your tooth, so if you choose a more aesthetic, or natural-looking, option, you will likely have out-of-pocket costs for the amount above the cost of a PFM crown.
- A Consultation Can Help You Decide
CEREC technology might be right for your worn or broken tooth. A consultation will help you understand your options and decide if this is the restoration you really want. Schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists at the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Call us (404-994-4509) to request an appointment for a consultation, or complete our Request an Appointment form.