Same-Day Crowns
A permanent crown — in a single visit.
Scanned, designed, and milled in our office, then placed the same day — no goopy impressions, no temporary to pop off, no second appointment.
Book a complimentary consult Call or text 754-240-4820
Complimentary consultation · English & Spanish · Saturday hours available
Why a one-visit crown is worth it
A traditional crown means two or three visits, goopy impressions, a temporary that can pop off at dinner, and a second round of numbing weeks later. A same-day crown removes all of that: one appointment, one numbing, and you leave with the final tooth. For a busy schedule — or anyone who dreads the process — it’s simply easier.
How a same-day crown works
It starts with a digital scan — no tray of goo, no gagging. We design your crown on screen, mill it from a single block of ceramic right here in the office, and bond it the same day. One visit, start to finish.
Why patients prefer it
- One appointment instead of two or three
- No goopy impressions
- No temporary crown to loosen or fall off
- No second round of numbing weeks later
- A precise, digital fit milled to your exact tooth
Same-day crown vs. traditional lab crown
| Same-day (CAD/CAM) | Traditional lab crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Visits | One (about 2 hours) | Two or three, over weeks |
| Impressions | Digital scan — no goo | Physical impression tray |
| Temporary crown? | No | Yes, until the final is ready |
| Made where | In our office | An outside lab |
| Front-tooth cosmetics | Excellent for most cases | Edge for custom, layered shading |
| Strength & longevity | Comparable — solid ceramic block | Comparable |
When a lab crown is still the better call — our honest take
Same-day isn’t automatically best for everything. For a highly visible front tooth that needs custom, layered shading to look natural, a skilled ceramist still has an edge, and we’ll recommend that instead. For most back teeth — the molars and premolars that take the brunt of chewing — same-day ceramic is strong, precise, and saves you visits. We’ll tell you honestly which your tooth calls for.
How we decide
- A same-day crown for most back teeth — strength and a precise fit, in one visit.
- A lab crown for a front tooth needing custom, layered shading, or a complex bite we’re rebuilding.
- A conservative onlay instead when enough healthy tooth remains — we don’t crown what we can protect more conservatively (see restorative care).
- Foundation first — decay or a cracked root are addressed before the crown, sometimes with a specialist.
What to expect
- Numb & prepare. We gently shape the tooth and remove any decay.
- Digital scan. A quick scan replaces the goopy impression.
- Design & mill. Your crown is designed on screen and milled from a ceramic block in-office.
- Bond & adjust. We bond it, check your bite, and polish — you leave with the final crown.
A note from Dr. Dillon
What I like about same-day dentistry isn’t the gadget — it’s what it removes for you: the goop, the temporary that pops off at dinner, the second afternoon off work. The scan-and-mill workflow is also more precise than the old impression-and-ship method, so the crown fits and lasts.
And when a case genuinely deserves a ceramist’s artistry — usually a front tooth — I’ll say so. But for everyday crowns, one visit is simply better for you.
— Dr. Matthew Dillon, DDS, MAGD
Common misconceptions
- “Same-day crowns are lower quality.” For most back teeth they’re milled from solid ceramic and fit beautifully — comparable to lab crowns.
- “One visit means it’s rushed.” The digital workflow is faster and more precise than the old impression-and-ship method.
- “Any tooth can be same-day.” Most can; a front tooth needing custom shading may still be better from a lab.
- “A crown is always the answer.” Sometimes a conservative onlay protects the tooth with less removal — we’ll say so.
Why patients choose MSD
- In-office design and milling, so you skip the temporary and the second trip.
- An honest same-day-vs-lab read, and an onlay when that’s the more conservative fit.
- A clear price before we begin, often the same as a conventional crown with fewer visits.
- Doctor-owned, in English & Spanish, for Coral Springs and North Broward.
Sources & further reading
- American Dental Association — Dental Crowns — how a crown restores a damaged tooth.
- American Dental Association — Dental Filling Options — restoration options for a damaged tooth.
Independent, authoritative references for the general topics on this page. See our editorial & clinical-review policy.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Medically reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Matthew Dillon, DDS, MAGD, FICOI · Updated July 2026 · Editorial policy.
Are same-day crowns as good as lab-made crowns?
For most back teeth, yes — the ceramic is strong and the digital fit is excellent. For highly visible front teeth that need custom, layered shading, a lab crown can still look better, and we'll tell you honestly which your case calls for.
How long does a same-day crown take?
Usually a single visit of about two hours, from scan to bonded crown. You leave with the final crown, not a temporary.
Do same-day crowns last as long as regular crowns?
With good care, yes — they're comparable. The crown is milled from a single, solid block of ceramic.
What are same-day crowns made of?
A strong ceramic — such as lithium disilicate or zirconia — chosen for that specific tooth and your bite.
When is a lab crown the better choice?
Front-teeth cosmetics that need custom layering, or a complex bite we're rebuilding. We'll recommend a lab crown rather than force same-day when your case calls for it.
How much does a same-day crown cost?
It depends on the tooth and the material. Your visit ends with a clear price before we begin — and it's often the same as a conventional crown, with fewer appointments.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numb throughout, so the visit is comfortable. Because it's one appointment, you also skip the second round of numbing a lab crown requires. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and fades.
Why do I need a crown instead of a filling?
When too much tooth is broken, cracked, or already filled, a filling can't reliably hold it together — a crown wraps and protects the whole tooth. Sometimes a conservative onlay is enough instead, and we'll tell you which your tooth needs.
Can any tooth get a same-day crown?
Most back teeth, yes. A highly visible front tooth that needs custom, layered shading is often better made in a lab. We plan it around what will look and last best for your specific tooth.
Do same-day crowns look natural?
For back teeth, they blend in beautifully. We match the shade to your bite and neighboring teeth. For a front tooth where shading is critical, we may recommend a lab crown for the most natural result.
What is CEREC / CAD-CAM?
It's the digital workflow that makes one-visit crowns possible: a scan (no goo), computer-aided design of your crown, and in-office milling from a ceramic block — computer-aided design and manufacturing.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. La Dra. Shantall y nuestro equipo atienden en inglés y español, y le dan un precio claro antes de comenzar.
A crown in one visit — done right.
Scan, design, mill, and bond in a single appointment. Find out if your tooth qualifies at a complimentary consult.
Book a complimentary consult Or call or text 754-240-4820