At McLevin Dental Clinic, we understand that time, comfort, and quality matter when it comes to restoring your smile. Thats why weve invested in advanced in-house dental crown technologyallowing us to design, create, and place high-quality crowns in a single visit. Gone are the days of multiple appointments, messy impressions, and waiting weeks for a lab-made crown.
Heres a behind-the-scenes look at how our team creates same-day dental crowns in-house with precision, care, and cutting-edge digital technology.
Why Choose In-House Crowns?
Dental crowns are used to restore damaged, weakened, or aesthetically compromised teeth. Traditionally, creating a crown involved two visits: one for prepping the tooth and taking impressions, and another weeks later to cement the lab-fabricated crown. In between, youd wear a temporary crown that could come loose or feel uncomfortable.
At McLevin Dental, our in-house crown process eliminates the wait. Using CAD/CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing), we offer same-day crowns that are strong, natural-looking, and perfectly customized to your smile.
Step 1: Tooth Preparation
The first step is preparing the tooth. Your dentist will gently shape the damaged or decayed tooth to create an ideal base for the crown. This step is done under local anesthesia to ensure you’re completely comfortable.
We remove only the amount of enamel necessary to create a strong bond for the crown while preserving as much natural structure as possible. Once prepared, we proceed directly to digital scanning.
Step 2: Digital 3D Scanning
Instead of traditional impression materials, we use a digital intraoral scanner to capture a detailed 3D model of your teeth. This process is quick, comfortable, and highly accurate.
The scan captures the precise dimensions of your prepared tooth and the surrounding bite, ensuring that your crown fits perfectly and aligns with your natural bite dynamics.
Step 3: Crown Design Using CAD Software
The digital scan is uploaded to our CAD software, where your dentist designs the crown in real time. We consider several factors during design:
Tooth shape and alignment
Natural color and translucency
Bite contact with opposing teeth
Gum line integration
You can even watch this process if you likemany patients find it fascinating to see their crown take shape digitally before its ever made.
Step 4: On-Site Milling of the Crown
Once the design is finalized, we send the file to our in-house milling machine, which carves the crown from a block of durable ceramic or porcelain material. This process typically takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on the crowns complexity.
The materials we use are carefully selected to match the appearance and strength of natural teeth. Once milled, the crown is polished, stained, or glazed to match your exact tooth color.
Step 5: Try-In and Adjustments
Before final cementation, we place the crown on your tooth and evaluate the fit, shape, and bite. We make fine adjustments as needed to ensure it blends seamlessly with your existing teeth and feels comfortable when biting and chewing.
This is your chance to see the crown in place and provide feedback before its permanently secured.
Step 6: Final Cementation
Once both you and your dentist are satisfied with the fit and appearance, we bond the crown to your tooth using strong, long-lasting dental cement. The crown is polished, and your bite is checked one final time.
In most cases, youll leave the same day with a fully restored toothno temporary crown, no second appointment, and no extra lab delays.
Benefits of In-House Dental Crowns
One Visit Convenience: From prep to placement, everything happens in a single appointment.
No Temporary Crowns: Avoid the discomfort and fragility of temporary solutions.
Digital Precision: Scans are more accurate than physical molds, improving fit and comfort.
Aesthetic Results: Our materials are custom-shaded for a lifelike match.
Long-Lasting Durability: Our ceramic crowns are strong, resilient, and built to last.
Who Is a Candidate for a Same-Day Crown?
You may benefit from an in-house dental crown if you have:
A tooth with a large cavity or failing filling
A broken or cracked tooth
A tooth thats been treated with a root canal
A misshapen or discolored tooth needing cosmetic enhancement
A worn-down tooth from grinding or bite issues
Our dentist will assess your case and determine if a same-day crown is the best solution for your needs.
Final Thoughts: Same-Day Restoration, Lifetime Confidence
At McLevin Dental Clinic, we believe that restoring your smile should be efficient, precise, and stress-free. Our in-house dental crown workflow combines cutting-edge technology with clinical excellence to provide you with beautiful, durable results in a single visit.
If you need a crown and want to avoid the hassle of multiple appointments, talk to our team about how same-day crown technology can restore your toothand your confidencequickly and comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does a same-day crown appointment take?
Typically, the full process takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
2. Are in-house crowns as strong as lab-made ones?
Yes. We use high-quality ceramic materials that offer comparable durability and longevity to traditional lab-fabricated crowns.
3. Will the crown match my natural teeth?
Absolutely. We shade-match your crown to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth.
4. Is the procedure painful?
No. We use local anesthesia for tooth preparation, and the process is designed to be comfortable throughout.
5. How long do same-day crowns last?
With proper care, our crowns can last 1015 years or longer, just like traditional crowns.
6. Can all teeth be restored with a same-day crown?
Most teeth can, but extremely complex cases may still require a lab-made crown. Well guide you based on your situation.
7. Is there an additional cost for same-day crowns?
No. Our pricing is competitive and transparent, and we provide estimates before treatment.
8. What material is used for in-house crowns?
We primarily use ceramic and porcelain blocks that are durable, biocompatible, and aesthetically pleasing.
9. Will my insurance cover same-day crowns?
Most dental insurance plans cover crowns, regardless of whether theyre made in-house or in a lab.
10. How do I care for my new crown?
Brush, floss, and attend regular checkups. Avoid chewing ice or hard foods, and consider a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
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