Same-day crown or lab-made crown: Which one is right for you?

If your dental provider says you need a crown, you may have a choice to make. Some offices can make a crown the same day, right in the chair. Others send the work to a dental lab and finish it at a second visit. Both options protect your tooth. But they suit different situations, and knowing the difference helps you have a better conversation with your dentist.

What you’ll learn in this article:

• Same-day crowns are milled in the office in one visit, so there's no need for a temporary crown or a return appointment.

• Lab-made crowns are crafted by a dental technician and may offer more material choices and more hand-finished detail for complex cases.

• Both types can last many years with good care. Your dentist helps decide which fits your tooth, your bite, and your situation.

• Cost and insurance coverage can differ between the two options. Ask your dentist's office before you decide.

If you’ve been told you need a crown, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to talk through your options. They can explain which type may work best for your tooth, your bite and your needs.

What is a same-day crown?

A same-day crown is made right in the dental office, usually in one appointment. Your dental provider prepares your tooth, then takes a digital scan of it. A small milling machine carves the crown from a solid block of ceramic material. The whole process takes a couple of hours. You leave with a permanent crown already in place.

Because everything happens in one visit, you skip the temporary crown. You also skip the second appointment.

What is a lab-made crown?

A lab-made crown follows a two-visit process. At the first visit, your dental provider shapes the tooth and takes an impression. That impression goes to an outside dental lab. A skilled technician builds the crown there, usually over one to two weeks. You wear a temporary crown in the meantime. At the second visit, your dentist checks the fit and cements the final crown.

Lab-made crowns can be made from a wider range of materials. The American Dental Association (ADA) lists five main groups for this type of restoration: noble metal alloys, base metal alloys, ceramics, resin-based composites and metal-ceramics.¹ A lab technician can also add fine color detail by hand. That can matter most for front teeth, where a close color match is important.

How do the different crowns compare?

Same-day and lab-made crowns can differ in convenience, materials, durability and cost. Here’s a rundown of the two options.

Convenience

Same-day crowns win on time. One visit, no temporary, no second appointment. That's a real advantage if you have a busy schedule, if you live far from the office, or if you just don't want to wait.

Lab-made crowns take longer. You'll need at least two visits, spread one to two weeks apart. Temporaries can sometimes come loose or feel sensitive. Some patients find that frustrating.

Fit and feel

Both types are shaped to match your bite. Same-day crowns use a digital scan, which is very accurate. Lab-made crowns can also use digital scans, or they may use a traditional putty impression. A skilled technician then refines the shape by hand.

Your dental provider checks the fit of either type before cementing it. If something isn't right, they adjust it.

Materials

Same-day crowns are almost always made from one type of ceramic. The ADA notes that zirconia ceramics have a natural white color.¹ They also have high strength, which makes them well suited to back teeth and front teeth alike.¹

Lab-made crowns offer more choices.¹ Metal crowns are very strong and wear-resistant. They suit back teeth where strength matters most, but they show as silver. The ADA says porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns pair a metal core with a porcelain outer layer.¹ That gives a tooth-colored look with the strength of metal underneath.¹ Full ceramic lab crowns can be layered for a more lifelike appearance.

Your dental provider will suggest a material based on which tooth it is, how hard you bite, and how the crown will look when you smile.

Durability

Both same-day and lab-made crowns can last a long time with good care. The material and how well it fits your bite matter more than where it was made. Grinding your teeth, chewing hard objects, or skipping regular dental visits can shorten any crown's life.

Cost

Costs vary by office, region, material and insurance plan. Same-day crowns and lab-made crowns are often priced similarly, but that isn't always the case. Some insurance plans cover one type the same as the other. Some don't. Ask your dental team to walk you through the cost before your appointment.

Which type of crown should you choose?

There's no single right answer. Here's how to think it through.

A same-day crown may suit you well if:

• You want to finish in one visit

• You're having a back tooth crowned

• You don't want to deal with a temporary crown

• Your office has in-office milling equipment

A lab-made crown may be a better fit if:

• You're crowning a front tooth and want the most lifelike color match possible

• Your case is complex and your dentist wants a technician to shape it by hand

• The material your tooth needs isn't available in-office

• Your dentist recommends it based on your bite or tooth structure

Your dental provider is the best person to weigh all of this for your specific tooth. Don't hesitate to ask them which option they'd suggest and why.

How should you take care of your crown?

Good habits go a long way in protecting either type of crown. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily. A crown covers your tooth, but the gum around it still needs care. Let your dental provider know if the crown feels high when you bite, or if anything feels off. They can adjust it at a regular visit.

If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about a night guard. Grinding puts a lot of force on any crown and can shorten how long it lasts.

Talking with your dental provider about crowns

Before your crown appointment, you can ask a few simple questions. Which type does my tooth need most? What material do you suggest? How long will the appointment take? What will this cost, and what does my plan cover? A good answer to each one helps you feel ready and confident going in.

Crowns are one of the most common dental procedures, and either option can protect your tooth for years. The goal is the same either way: a crown that fits well, feels right, and helps your tooth last.

If you’ve been told you need a crown, talk with your dental provider about which option fits your tooth, your bite and your needs. They can explain the differences and help you feel confident about your choice.

Same-day crown or lab-made crown: Which one is right for you? FAQs

Still have questions about same-day and lab-made crowns? These answers cover a few common concerns.

Does insurance cover same-day and lab-made crowns the same way?

It depends on your plan. Most dental insurance policies cover crowns based on the tooth being restored and the reason for the crown. They don't always spell out which type of crown they'll pay for. Some plans pay the same amount for either option. Others set a lower benefit for same-day crowns or for certain materials. The difference can affect what you pay out of pocket. Call your insurance company before your appointment and ask how they classify each type. The dental team can also help you check your benefits.

What happens if a same-day crown doesn't fit correctly?

Your dental provider checks the fit before the crown is cemented. If the bite feels off or the crown doesn't seat well, they adjust it right there. In rare cases, the crown may need to be remade. If that happens, your dentist will either mill a new one in the office or send the case to a lab. You may leave with a temporary crown while the new one is made. Let your dentist know right away if anything feels wrong after you get home. A crown that sits too high can put extra stress on the tooth and the jaw.

Are same-day crowns available at every dental office?

No. Making a same-day crown requires special equipment: a digital scanner and an in-office milling machine. Not every practice has invested in that technology. If same-day crowns matter to you, it's worth asking the office before you book. If they don't offer it, a lab-made crown is a reliable alternative. Your dentist can walk you through what to expect with that process.

Sources

¹American Dental Association, ADA Oral Health Topics: “Materials for Indirect Restorations.” https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/materials-for-indirect-restorations