When placed by a qualified dentist, any dental crown should work well for you. You can expect the cap to protect your tooth and hide underlying chips and cracks from view. That said, you should still learn the differences between same-day and lab-made dental crowns before you get treatment. Knowing those facts will help you decide which crown type suits you best. So, here are four ways that same-day and lab-made dental crowns differ.
Their Looks
Both lab-made and same-day dental crowns look good. Still, the two types have subtle differences in their appearances.
Their diverging looks normally stem from contrasting crown materials. For example, lab-made dental crowns are often fusions of gold, metal, porcelain, etc. The result is that they can (sometimes) react with gum tissue and cause discoloration. In contrast, same-day crowns are milled from ceramic or zirconia and thus blend seamlessly with your whole smile.
Their Treatment Speed
The two major kinds of crowns also differ in their treatment times. Depending on which you get, you can expect your procedure to finish sooner or later.
It comes down to how each crown type has its own crafting method. For lab-made crowns, workers use dental impressions to design and create the final caps; this process takes weeks. Same-day crowns, though, can be designed, milled, and fitted in just one dental visit. In other words, you can have one ready for your tooth in just a few hours.
Their Overall Fit
Perhaps surprisingly, lab-made and same-day dental crowns have differing fits. Whether your results feel comfy will partly depend on your choice of type.
Again, the heart of the matter is that crowns vary in crafting methods. Lab-made ones rely on dental impressions that aren’t 100% accurate. Meanwhile, dentists make same-day crowns from exact 3D impressions. These high-definition models let a dental practice craft a comfortable and accurate restoration.
Their Durability
Rest assured that lab-made and same-day crowns are both durable. However, you should also note that they do have slight differences in their strength.
Don’t forget that the different types use differing materials. Should you get a lab-made crown, its metal alloy could break, chip, or wear out adjacent teeth over time. On the other hand, a same-day cap doesn’t have that risk; its ceramic or zirconia will fit well with nearby teeth and help it last for decades.
Same-day and lab-made dental crowns both offer fine results, but one type could work better for you than another. Keep that in mind as you consider your treatment options!
About the Practice
Webster Dental Associates is based in Manchester, NH. Led by Drs. Golparvar and Vega, our practice always makes its patients the highest priority. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to make them safe and well-suited for your unique smile! The same even applies to our dental crowns, from the traditional kinds to CEREC models! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (603)-669-4252.