A same-day crown is a custom dental crown that is designed, milled and placed in a single visit, with no temporary crown and no second appointment. At Redondo Beach Dental Group we make them in our office with CEREC technology, so the whole process fits into one appointment. Our office on Artesia Boulevard is a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance. Call (310) 542-6988 to find out whether your tooth is a good fit.
How a Same-Day Crown Is Made
A traditional crown means two visits. At the first, the dentist shapes the tooth, takes a putty impression and fits a temporary crown. A dental lab then makes the permanent crown, and you come back a couple of weeks later to have it placed. With CEREC, the lab work happens in our office while you wait.
Here is what the visit looks like:
- Exam and numbing. We confirm a crown is the right treatment and numb the tooth.
- Preparing the tooth. We remove decay or broken structure and shape the tooth to hold the crown.
- Digital scan. A small camera scans the tooth and your bite, which replaces the putty impression many people find uncomfortable.
- Design. The dentist designs the crown on screen, matched to your bite and the teeth beside it.
- Milling. A milling unit in our office carves the crown from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
- Fitting and bonding. We check the fit and color, adjust as needed, and bond the crown in place.
You leave with your permanent crown. The same CEREC technology is also used for veneers, inlays and onlays.
When a Same-Day Crown Is the Right Choice
Most single crowns can be made the same day. They are a good fit for:
- A cracked or broken tooth that needs protecting
- A tooth with a large old filling that is starting to fail
- A tooth that has had a root canal and needs to be covered
- Patients who cannot easily take time off for two appointments
If you have had a root canal, a same-day crown lets us seal and protect the tooth without leaving it under a temporary for weeks.
When a Lab Crown Is the Better Option
A same-day crown is not right for every tooth, and we will tell you if yours is an exception. A lab-made crown may be the better choice when several teeth are being restored together as part of a larger plan, when a front tooth needs very detailed color layering to match its neighbors, or when a material that cannot be milled in the office is the best fit for your bite. Some teeth also need gum work first. If there is not enough tooth above the gumline to hold a crown, crown lengthening may come before the crown.
Materials and How Long They Last
Same-day crowns are milled from solid blocks of tooth-colored ceramic. Common options in dentistry include lithium disilicate, which is valued for how natural it looks, and zirconia, which is valued for strength on back teeth. There is no metal, so there is no dark line at the gum. How long any crown lasts depends on the material, how hard you bite or grind, and how well you care for it. Brushing, flossing around the crown and regular checkups matter as much as the crown itself. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard helps protect it.
Planning to Whiten Your Teeth? Do It First
A ceramic crown keeps the color it is made in, and whitening gel does not change it. If you are thinking about teeth whitening, especially before a crown on a front tooth, whiten first and let the shade settle. The crown can then be matched to your brighter smile instead of the old one.
Caring for Your Tooth After the Visit
- Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue
- Expect the tooth and gum to be a little sore for a day or two
- Call us if your bite feels high or uneven when the numbness is gone, because a quick adjustment fixes it
- Avoid chewing ice, pens or other hard objects, which can chip ceramic just as they chip natural teeth
- Brush and floss around the crown the same way you would any other tooth
Who Will Make Your Crown
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including crowns and implant restorations. He will look at the tooth with you and tell you plainly whether a same-day crown or a lab crown is the better fit.
What a Same-Day Crown Costs
A same-day crown at Redondo Beach Dental Group typically costs between $1,200 and $2,000 per tooth before insurance. The final number depends on the tooth, the material and whether other work, such as a build-up, is needed first. Ask for an estimate at your exam so you know the number before treatment begins.
Dental insurance generally treats a same-day crown the same way it treats any crown, as a major restorative procedure, so your plan’s usual crown coverage applies. We accept PPO plans, and you can ask us how your plan applies to your crown. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a crown be made the same day?
A crown can be made the same day. With CEREC technology, a dentist can scan the tooth, design the crown on a computer and mill it from a ceramic block in the office, then bond it in place during the same visit. Milling the crown itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes of that visit.
How much do same-day dental crowns cost?
At Redondo Beach Dental Group, a same-day crown typically costs $1,200 to $2,000 per tooth before insurance. The exact price depends on the tooth, the material and any preparation work needed first.
Are same-day crowns a good idea?
Same-day crowns are a good choice for most single crowns. They save a second visit, avoid a temporary crown and use a digital scan instead of a putty impression. A lab-made crown can still be better for multi-tooth restorations or front teeth that need very detailed color matching.
Are same-day crowns as strong as regular crowns?
They are made from the same families of ceramic that many dental labs use, milled from a solid block. Strength depends mainly on the material chosen and your bite, not on whether the crown was made in the office or in a lab.
Does insurance cover a same-day crown?
Insurance usually covers a same-day crown like any other crown, because insurers pay by procedure, not by where the crown is made. Your plan’s normal crown benefit, waiting periods and annual maximum still apply, so ask the office to check your benefits first.
Does getting a same-day crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed before any work begins, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. The tooth may be a little sore for a few days afterward. Patients who are nervous can ask about sedation options.
Can a tooth decay under a crown?
A tooth can decay under a crown. The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath can, usually at the edge where the crown meets the tooth. Brushing, flossing around the crown and regular checkups help catch problems early.
Book a Same-Day Crown in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online. Same-day crowns are one part of the restorative dentistry we provide in Redondo Beach.