The same-day crown procedure, also known as CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) or CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) crown, is a type of dental restoration that allows for the fabrication and placement of a dental crown in a single dental visit, usually within a few hours. Here's an overview of the same-day crown procedure:

  1. Dental Evaluation: The process typically begins with a dental evaluation by a dentist. The dentist will assess the tooth that requires a crown and determine if a same-day crown is a suitable treatment option.
  2. Digital Impression: Instead of taking a traditional physical impression using dental putty, a digital impression of the tooth is taken using a specialized intraoral scanner. The scanner captures detailed images of the tooth and surrounding area, creating a 3D digital model of the tooth.
  3. Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Using specialized CAD software, the dentist designs the crown digitally, taking into account the patient's bite, tooth shape, and other factors. The software allows the dentist to customize the crown to achieve optimal aesthetics and functionality.
  4. Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM): Once the crown design is complete, the digital data is sent to an in-office milling machine, which uses computer-guided technology to fabricate the crown from a block of ceramic material. This process typically takes about 1-2 hours.
  5. Crown Placement: Once the crown is fabricated, the dentist checks the fit, color, and shape of the crown. If any adjustments are needed, they can be made chairside. Once the crown fits properly, it is bonded to the tooth using dental cement.
  6. Final Polishing: After the crown is bonded, the dentist will typically polish the crown to achieve a smooth and natural-looking finish.

Benefits of Same-Day Crown Procedure:

  1. Time-saving: The traditional dental crown procedure typically requires multiple visits over a span of several weeks. In contrast, the same-day crown procedure allows for the completion of the crown fabrication and placement in just one dental visit, saving the patient time and reducing the need for temporary crowns.
  2. Convenience: With same-day crowns, patients can avoid the inconvenience of wearing temporary crowns and making multiple dental appointments.
  3. Digital Precision: The use of digital impressions and CAD/CAM technology allows for highly accurate and precise crown fabrication, resulting in a well-fitting crown that matches the patient's natural teeth.
  4. Aesthetics: Same-day crowns are typically made from high-quality ceramic materials that closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing restoration.