Same-Day Dental Crowns - East Hartford, CT

Why Choose Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut for Same-Day Dental Crowns?

• Save time over traditional crowns
• High-quality porcelain restorations
• Well-trained dental team ready to serve

How Same-Day Dental Crowns Work

The process of crowning a tooth always starts out the same way, regardless of whether it is a same-day crown or traditional crown: with the preparation of the tooth. We must remove any decay that is present, and then shape the tooth with a dental drill so that it will fit well beneath its crown. In some cases, we have to build a tooth up so it can support its restoration. But the similarities between the traditional and same-day crown processes end there.

If you were receiving a traditional crown, the next step would be for us to take an impression (mold) of your teeth with a special putty-like material. Then, the impression would serve as the basis for creating a model on which to create the crown. With a same-day crown, however, your teeth are simply given a light dusting of reflective powder. Then, we use a small scanning wand attached to a computer to take digital pictures inside your mouth. In mere seconds, the computer generates a highly detailed, three-dimensional model of your teeth. But it gets even better.

With the help of our advanced CAD/CAM software, we will design your crown while you wait. We can even use the software to create a mirror-image twin of the same tooth on the other side of your mouth, which will help us produce symmetrical, natural-looking results. Then, a block of dental ceramic material is chosen in a shade that most closely matches your natural tooth enamel. The computer's digital design gets transmitted to a milling machine, which carves the crown from the ceramic block in just a few minutes.

After we double-check the crown’s fit and any necessary cosmetic enhancements have been made to the crown's surface (glazing and staining, for example), we will permanently attach the crown to your tooth. And that is it! The process is in stark contrast to one that comes with a traditional crown, which would require you to wear a temporary restoration for several weeks while the permanent crown was being fabricated at the lab.

Caring for Your Same-Day Dental Crown

Just like your natural teeth, crowned teeth require diligent daily care. Be sure to brush every morning and every evening, and floss once a day. Doing so to all of your teeth — both restored and natural ones — fights plaque buildup and other dental problems. When you have crowns, it is more important than ever to visit your dentist for professional checkups and cleanings. You should also avoid using your teeth as a tool (to trim your fingernails or open packages, for example). If you grind your teeth, wearing a nightguard can help protect your crown. With proper care, you can expect your same-day crown to last for many years.

Creating In-Office Dental Restorations With Computers

In the past, both dentists and patients alike had to wait weeks for a dental laboratory to fabricate crowns and other dental restorations. Today, however, that is changing thanks to an exciting technology known as Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Now you can have a restored tooth without the wait —it takes just one appointment to prepare a tooth, design the crown, and create it! Best of all, studies have shown that CAD/CAM tooth restorations are just as successful as crowns made with traditional materials and techniques. And the amazingly lifelike appearance of a same-day crown means that no one will know your tooth has been restored.

We are proud to have same-day crown technology at Comprehensive Dental Associates of Central Connecticut right here in East Hartford. We may be able to restore your damaged tooth and improve your smile’s appearance in a single appointment!