Remember the old way of getting a crown? The goopy impressions that made you gag. The temporary crown that felt weird in your mouth for two weeks. The second appointment you had to schedule time off for. The whole process stretched out over what felt like forever. That’s exactly why same day crowns have been such a game changer for our Columbus office.
CEREC technology changed everything. Now, most of our patients walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out the same day with a permanent crown. No temporaries. No second visit. And no waiting.
How Same Day Crowns Actually Work
First, Dr. Caves preps your tooth. That means removing any decay or old filling material and shaping what’s left so the crown fits properly. We numb the area first, so you won’t feel a thing.
Then, instead of taking a physical impression with that tray of goopy material, we use a small handheld scanner. It’s about the size of a chunky pen. We wave it over your tooth for a minute or two, and it creates a super accurate 3D digital model right there on the screen. That digital model goes into a computer program where Dr. Caves designs your new crown. He can adjust the shape, thickness, and fit down to the tiniest detail. When the design looks perfect, he sends it to our in-office milling machine.
That machine is basically a mini factory. It carves your crown out of a solid block of ceramic material while you wait. The whole process takes about fifteen minutes. Once it’s done, Dr. Caves checks the fit, makes any tiny adjustments, and bonds the crown permanently in place.
You could walk out with a finished crown on the same day you walked in.
Why Patients Love This
We hear the same things over and over from patients who’ve gone through the process.
- No temporary crown: Nobody misses those. They fall off sometimes. They break. And they trap food in weird ways. Plus they never feel quite right. Skipping that step alone makes the whole experience better.
- One appointment: You don’t have to juggle work schedules, arrange rides, or ask for another afternoon off. You show up once, we handle everything, and you’re done.
- No goopy impressions: Most patients appreciate this more than we expected. People really hate that gag reflex.
- You see your tooth the same day: No wondering what the final result will look like. You get to see it, approve it, and leave with it.
Are Same Day Crowns as Good as Traditional Ones?
Yes. And in some ways, better. The ceramic material we use is incredibly strong. It holds up to chewing pressure just like traditional crowns. It looks natural because light passes through it the same way it passes through real enamel. No dark metal lines showing at the gumline. No unnatural opacity.
The digital scans are actually more accurate than physical impressions. That means a better fit right from the start. Less adjustment needed. Fewer problems down the road.
Dr. Caves trained extensively to use this technology properly. It’s not just about pushing a button. The design phase takes real skill and experience to get everything right.
Who Needs a Crown Anyway?
Plenty of people. A crown covers and protects a tooth that’s too damaged for a simple filling. Maybe you have a large cavity. Maybe a tooth chipped. Or maybe you had a root canal and the tooth needs extra strength. Perhaps an old filling broke and took part of the tooth with it.
If you’ve been told you need a crown, chances are you’re a good candidate for same day treatment.
No More Dreading the Crown Process
We know crowns used to have a bad reputation. Multiple appointments. Temporary teeth. Messy impressions. That whole ordeal made people put off needed treatment until things got worse. That’s not the reality anymore. Modern technology has turned a two-week hassle into a single visit.
If your dentist has recommended a crown or you suspect you might need one, come talk with us. We’ll show you how different things can be.
Ready to see same day crowns in action? Call our Columbus office at 706-407-4851 or schedule a consultation online. You might be surprised how easy dental care can be.