Same Day Crowns in St. Louis
Dental crowns are a common restoration used in dentistry. They serve not only to restore a tooth to its full natural function, but also to protect the underlying tooth structure. Kirkwood Family Dental is excited to now offer same-day crowns serving patients throughout the St. Louis area! Getting a dental crown used to mean a minimum of two appointments, two weeks of waiting, and a temporary crown in between. Now it means just ONE visit! Using the CEREC Primemill — the world’s most advanced in-office milling system — we scan, design, and fabricate your own custom crown in the office itself, then place it on permanently the same day!
No temporary crown, no second visit, no lab delay.
How Same-Day Crowns Work
The process starts with a digital scan of your tooth using our intraoral scanner — no traditional “goopy” impressions needed. That scan generates a precise 3D model of your teeth, which our team uses to design your very own custom crown. Once the design is finalized, the CEREC Primemill machines the crown from a premium-quality ceramic or zirconia crown right here in our office. After any finishing steps, we cement the crown in place, and you leave with a permanent restoration the same day. The entire appointment typically runs two to three hours, with most of that time spent watching Netflix while the machine does its work!
Why Patients Choose Same-Day Crowns
Traditional crown placement requires two appointments separated by weeks, plus a temporary crown to wear in between. Temporary crowns can come loose, feel uncomfortable, hard to floss and require careful eating habits while you wait. Same-day crowns eliminate all of that. There is one appointment and one completed restoration. Patients who have demanding schedules, limited flexibility for follow-up visits, commute a long way or who simply want to resolve a dental problem without prolonging it tend to find same-day crowns particularly appealing. The restorations produced by the CEREC Primemill are designed to precise tolerances, with excellent fit, smooth surfaces, and natural-looking results.
Materials and Restoration Types
The CEREC Primemill supports a broad range of FDA-approved crown materials, including zirconia and ceramics, selected based on the location of the tooth, bite, and aesthetic goals. Zirconia is well-suited for back teeth where strength is a priority. Ceramics offer excellent translucency and are often chosen for front teeth where appearance matters most. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate material and restoration type based on your specific situation during your appointment.
Same-Day Crowns: FAQs
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Most same-day crown appointments run approximately three hours from start to finish. This includes numbing the patient, prepping the tooth, digital scan, crown design, milling, any finishing steps, and final cementation. You'll leave the office with a permanent crown the same day.
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Yes. The materials used — zirconia and glass ceramics — are the same high-strength materials used in conventionally fabricated crowns in dental labs. The precision of the CEREC Primemill produces restorations with an accurate fit and smooth margins that hold up well over time with proper care.
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No. Because your permanent crown is fabricated and placed during the same appointment, there is no need for a temporary crown. This is one of the primary advantages of the same-day crown process.
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We use zirconia and ceramic materials validated for use with the CEREC Primemill. Zirconia is preferred for its strength, particularly on molars and premolars. Ceramic options are available for areas where translucency and aesthetics are the priority. Your dentist will discuss which material is appropriate for your tooth.
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Same-day crowns have the same dental insurance coverage as traditional crowns, since the restoration type/code is the same. The difference is simply in how and when it's made. We recommend verifying your specific coverage before your appointment. Our team is happy to help you understand your benefits.
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Most patients who need a crown are candidates for the same-day process. Crowns are well-suited for damaged or decayed teeth that require full coverage, as well as teeth with large fillings. Your dentist will evaluate your tooth during the appointment and confirm whether a same-day crown is the right approach for your situation.
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A traditional crown involves two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and a second — typically two to three weeks later — to place the permanent crown. A same-day crown completes the entire process in one visit using in-office digital scanning and milling technology, eliminating the lab wait and the need for a temporary.
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The process to have a same day crown is the same as a traditional crown i.e. we numb your tooth, prepare it for a crown, make a digital impression, design and cement the final crown EXCEPT we are able to eliminate the 2 week wait and the temporary crown in between!
Interested in Same-Day Crowns?
Schedule a no-pressure exam in person or book a virtual consult to learn more.