Skip to main content

Same-Day Crowns vs. Lab-Crafted Crowns: Is Convenience Worth the Compromise?

Same-Day Crowns vs. Professional Lab-made Crowns

At Finesse Dentistry in Boston, we know your time is valuable. Many patients ask us about same-day zirconia crowns (CEREC) —a technology that allows a crown to be made in a single visit. While it sounds revolutionary, “fast” doesn’t always mean “best.”

Before you choose a one-day solution, it’s important to understand what happens behind the scenes. Here is why we believe your smile deserves a more meticulous approach.

1. The Strength Factor: Fast-Baking vs. Strength

The dental prosthesis, which is prepared exactly according to the patients, is made ready for use by the dental technicians.

Traditional zirconia crowns are “sintered” (baked) in a specialized oven for 7 to 8 hours. This slow process ensures the material reaches its maximum strength. Same-day crowns are baked in just 15 to 60 minutes.

  • The Risk: Research suggests that this “express” baking can lead to lower structural reliability, especially for front teeth that endure daily biting forces.

2. Precision and Accuracy

(Lee, J.-H.; Son, K.; Lee, K.-B. Marginal and Internal Fit of Ceramic Restorations Fabricated Using Digital Scanning and Conventional Impressions: A Clinical Study. J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 4035. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9124035)

  • Dental Office Mills: Compact 3-axis or 4-axis machines designed to fit in a small office.
  • Professional Labs: Use industrial-grade 5-axis milling machines. These are significantly more stable and precise, ensuring a tighter fit at the gumline and a more comfortable bite.

3. Aesthetics: The Art of the Smile

A lab-crafted crown is a work of art. Professional lab technicians hand-stain and layer ceramics to mimic the natural translucency and color gradients of your real teeth.

In contrast, office-made crowns are carved from a single-colored block, which can often look “flat” or opaque.

4. Total Time in the Chair

While it’s called a “same-day” crown, you often spend 2 to 3 hours waiting in the office while the machine works. With a traditional lab crown, you have two short appointments. In the end, the total time you spend in the dental chair is nearly the same.

The “Gourmet Burger” Analogy

Think of it this way: If you’re in a rush, a McDonald’s hamburger is convenient and reasonably priced. But when you want the best ingredients and handcrafted quality, you go to a chef-owned restaurant.

Chef preparing a hamburger

The problem arises when a “McDonald’s quality” crown costs the same as a “Chef-quality” crown. At Finesse Dentistry, we don’t think you should pay premium prices for a rushed product. We believe your dental health is worth the craft of a professional laboratory.

Introducing: Our Professional 2-Day Express Service

We understand that sometimes life happens and you need a crown fast. To bridge the gap between quality and speed, we offer an Express 2-Day Professional Service:

  1. Morning: We prepare your tooth and send a digital scan to our master lab immediately.
  2. Afternoon: The lab technicians spend the day precisely milling and hand-finishing your crown.
  3. Overnight: Your crown is shipped via overnight express.
  4. Next Day: We receive your crown by 11:00 AM and seat it.

You get the professional lab quality you deserve without the 2-week wait.

Schedule Your Consultation in Boston

If you need a crown urgently but refuse to compromise on quality, reach out to us today.

Finesse Dentistry & Implant Center 📍 183 Essex St, Boston, MA 02111

📞 617-286-6515