Restore Your Smile With Same-Day Crowns
A damaged, weakened, or heavily restored tooth may need a dental crown to restore its shape, strength, and function. Traditional crown treatment may require multiple appointments and a temporary restoration while the permanent crown is being made. Same-day crowns use advanced CEREC® technology to streamline the process by designing and milling a custom ceramic restoration in the dental office.
Valley Family Dentistry provides same-day crowns in Livermore, CA using CEREC® technology. The system combines digital imaging, computer-aided design, and in-office milling to create a customized ceramic restoration. Depending on the condition of the tooth, CEREC® technology may also be used to create certain inlays, onlays, and veneers.
Schedule Your ConsultationWhat Is the CEREC® System Comprised Of?
The CEREC system, sometimes referred to as a CAD-CAM system, stands for Computer-Assisted Design and Computer-Assisted Milling. It is made up of three major components that work together to design and produce your restoration in the office.
- Acquisition device: This unit houses a high-quality camera and a medical-grade computer used to photograph the prepared tooth. It creates a three-dimensional image of the tooth on screen, which Dr. Hsiao uses to design the ideal ceramic restoration.
- Three-dimensional CAD software: This software allows the tooth to be examined from every angle on screen, offering a view nearly as detailed as holding the tooth in hand and rotating it.
- Milling device: This unit manufactures the custom restoration based on the specifications entered into the computer. A ceramic block matched to your natural tooth color is placed into the unit, and within minutes, the milling device produces the exact restoration that was designed.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
Same-day crowns can simplify restorative treatment by allowing eligible patients to complete more care during one dental visit. This can reduce the need for multiple appointments and may eliminate the need for a temporary crown. A custom-made crown is designed to restore the tooth’s shape, strength, and function while providing a secure fit.
Same-day crowns can also provide a natural-looking restoration that complements surrounding teeth. Restoring a damaged or weakened tooth promptly may improve chewing function and provide additional structural support. The streamlined process can save time and make crown treatment more convenient for patients with busy schedules.
How We Use CEREC Technology to Make Same-Day Crowns
CEREC technology combines digital imaging, computer-aided design, and in-office milling to create a custom dental crown during a single visit. The process eliminates the need to send the restoration to an outside laboratory, allowing the crown to be designed, created, and placed efficiently.
Prepare the Tooth
The affected tooth is carefully prepared by removing decay or damaged structure and shaping it to support the crown.
Capture Digital Images
Digital scans create a detailed 3D model of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth, providing the information needed to design the crown.
Design the Crown
The digital model is used to create a custom same-day crown that fits the prepared tooth and complements the surrounding smile.
Mill the Crown
The completed design is sent to an in-office milling unit, where a tooth-colored ceramic block is shaped into the finished crown.
Fit and Place the Crown
The crown is carefully checked for fit, bite, and appearance before being polished and securely bonded to the prepared tooth.
Caring for a Same-Day Crown
Caring for a same-day crown is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily using floss or another recommended tool. Maintain regular dental cleanings and examinations to help keep the crown, surrounding teeth, and gums healthy. Avoid biting your nails, chewing ice, or using your teeth to open packages, as excessive pressure can damage the crown or underlying tooth.
Be mindful of sticky or particularly hard foods if your dental team recommends limiting them, especially while you become accustomed to your new crown. Contact our team if your crown feels loose, becomes damaged, causes persistent discomfort, or your bite feels different. Regular dental visits allow the team to monitor the crown and supporting tooth over time.
Restore Your Tooth in a Single Visit
There is no reason to spend weeks waiting on a temporary crown when a permanent, natural-looking restoration can be completed in one appointment. CEREC technology allows our Livermore office to deliver precise, efficient care without sacrificing quality. If you have a damaged, weakened, or extensively restored tooth, contact Valley Family Dentistry in Livermore, CA to learn whether a same-day crown may be appropriate for your needs. Call us at (925) 449-1141 to schedule an appointment.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions About Same-Day Crowns
Most same-day crown appointments take between one and two hours, covering preparation, digital imaging, milling, and placement all in one visit.
Yes. Ceramic blocks are selected to match your natural tooth color, and the crown is designed and shaped to blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
No. The tooth is numbed before preparation begins, and most patients report the process feels similar to getting a traditional crown, just completed faster.
With proper care, CEREC ceramic crowns can last many years, often comparable to traditional lab-made crowns.
Omnicam captures a three-dimensional, colored model of the tooth directly, while Bluecam requires a contrasting agent to be applied to the teeth before imaging.
Yes, a CEREC crown is commonly used to restore and protect a tooth after root canal treatment, often in the same visit as the root canal in some cases.
Yes, CEREC ceramic crowns are made from high-quality material designed to withstand normal biting and chewing forces just like traditional crowns.
Coverage for CEREC crowns is generally similar to traditional crowns under most PPO plans, though specifics vary. Our team can help verify your benefits.