Dental crowns help restore a damaged tooth while also enhancing your smile. Dentists have a few different options in choosing a process for performing one. Traditional and same day crowns have specific pros and cons, so consider the following information to decide which procedure is more favorable for your particular needs.

Traditional Dental Crowns

Placing traditional crowns usually takes two office visits. During the first visit, some of the enamel will need to be removed from the tooth being worked on. This ensures the crown is a good fit. When tooth enamel is insufficient, the tooth may also be filled to increase its strength. Because it is made at an off-site lab, a temporary one is placed to protect the tooth in the meantime. The patient then returns a few weeks later for the second visit, when the permanent one is placed. 

The downside of traditional crowns is the need to schedule two separate dental appointments. However, traditional ones are thought to be very durable, primarily when they’re constructed from porcelain fused with metal. Because traditional ones are hand-designed based on impressions made of your teeth, they’re also considered to be highly aesthetically pleasing. 

Same Day Crowns

While the procedure is very similar, same day crowns utilize computer-aided design to streamline the creation. In this case, a 3D impression is taken, which is then passed along to the on-site lab for construction. The rest of the procedure mirrors traditional crowns, except there is no need to schedule a second dental visit to have the permanent one placed. This also eliminates the need for a temporary one, which many patients consider to be uncomfortable.

While same day crowns emphasize a quick procedure performed in a single visit, there are drawbacks. Since it is 3D printed, it can be less durable than enamel ones. However, technology is evolving, and more sustainable crowns can be created using in-office technology.

Main Street Dental offers both traditional and same day dental crowns to patients in La Crosse, WI. Lead dentist Dr. Dan Kujak will evaluate your case and provide the best treatment solution to reinvigorate your smile. This clinic also offers many other procedures, including teeth cleanings, oral cancer screenings, teeth whitening, extractions, and many others. Visit them online to learn more about CareCredit®, a convenient and affordable way to finance dental procedures. You can also call (608) 784-4063 to schedule an appointment.