What Are Same-Day Crowns?
Same-day crowns are designed, milled, and placed in a single dental visit using CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design/manufacturing). A digital scanner captures the shape of your tooth, and a ceramic block is milled into a crown right in the office—often within 1–2 hours.
Popular systems like CEREC have made this process faster and more comfortable than ever before.
What Are Lab-Made Crowns?
Lab-made crowns follow a more traditional route. After taking a physical or digital impression, your dentist sends it to a dental lab where skilled technicians custom-craft your crown. This process can take 1–2 weeks and requires a temporary crown while you wait.
Lab crowns are often used for more complex cases, especially in the esthetic zone (front teeth), or when special materials or layered shading is needed.
The Aesthetic Factor—Why It Still Matters
Today’s same-day crown systems are impressively accurate. In fact, digital scans often outperform traditional impressions in capturing tooth structure quickly and clearly.
But when it comes to aesthetic nuance, lab-made crowns still hold the upper hand.
Why?
- Lab crowns are crafted by technicians who layer ceramic powders and custom stains by hand.
- This allows them to create natural translucency, depth, and surface texture—especially important in front teeth.
- Same-day crowns, on the other hand, are milled from a single block of ceramic. While still beautiful, they can appear slightly more opaque or monochrome compared to natural teeth.
For back teeth? It’s usually not noticeable.
For front teeth, especially in high-definition selfies? You may want that extra touch of artistry.
The Fit Debate—Margins Matter
Another important consideration: the margin, where the crown meets your natural tooth.
While digital scanning has come a long way, many dentists still report that:
- Capturing extremely thin or subgingival margins (below the gumline) can be trickier with same-day workflows.
- Moisture, gum tissue, and visibility play a role—and may impact how seamless that margin feels or looks long-term.
A well-sealed crown margin reduces your risk for decay, gum irritation, and future repairs. In borderline cases, traditional lab techniques may offer that last millimeter of perfection.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
Both crown types offer long-term durability, biocompatibility, and aesthetic improvement.
But they shine in different scenarios:
Go Same-Day If You Want:
- Immediate results without temporary crowns
- A high-quality restoration for a back tooth
- A more comfortable, digital workflow
Go Lab-Made If You Want:
- A perfect esthetic match in front teeth
- More complex bite alignment or margin depth
- The absolute best layering and shading for your smile
Final Thoughts from Oceanic Dental
At Oceanic Dental, we believe in using the best technology when it enhances your results—not just for speed’s sake. We offer both same-day and lab-made options, and our doctors will walk you through what’s best for your unique needs.
Because when it comes to your smile, a little extra care goes a long way.
