Of course, all dental crowns are broadly similar to one another. Each one is a cap that protects a weak tooth from decay and damage. Still, same-day and lab-made dental crowns differ quite a bit. It’s to the point that you could easily prefer one over the other. Your Goodyear dentist is happy to explain if you want to know more. To that end, here are four big differences between same-day and lab-made dental crowns.
Treatment Time
Perhaps most obviously, the two kinds of crowns differ in treatment time. Your final cap will be ready sooner or later based on what you get.
You see, each crown type relies on a unique crafting method. Lab workers create the lab-made ones using an impression of your mouth. It takes weeks to make such crowns and fit them on your teeth. Meanwhile, the same-day type can be designed, milled, and fitted in just one dental visit. You’ll have a new cap for your tooth after a few hours or so.
Appearance
Both lab-made and same-day crowns tend to look good. Even so, they do have notable differences in their appearance.
These diverging looks often stem from the crown material. For instance, lab-made crowns tend to be fusions of gold, metal, porcelain, etc. That means they can (at times) react with the gum tissue and cause discoloration. On the other hand, same-day crowns are milled from zirconia and other such materials. The result is usually a cap that blends seamlessly with your smile.
Comfort & Fit
Lab-made and same-day dental crowns don’t fit equally well. So, your choice of type can affect whether your treatment results feel comfy.
The difference in fit comes down to the crowns’ crafting methods. With lab-made ones, the impression materials aren’t 100% accurate. There’s thus a chance that the final crowns won’t fit properly. In contrast, the 3D impressions used to make same-day crowns are exact. They’ll let your dentist craft a comfortable and accurate restoration.
Durability
Both lab-made and same-day crowns are pretty strong. That said, they differ enough in their durability to present certain risks.
As with crown appearance, the issue is the treatment material. Lab-made crowns can use durable metal alloys but could also break, chip, or wear out adjacent teeth. However, same-day ones don’t present that risk. Their ceramic or zirconia work fine with nearby teeth and can help them last for decades.
Clearly, same-day and lab-made dental crowns differ. Consult your dentist about their differences before you commit to a treatment.
About the Practice
Goodyear Family Dentistry is based in Goodyear, AZ. Led by Drs. Wheeler and Vega, our practice emphasizes wide-ranging dental care. We thus provide preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency oral treatments. Naturally, our team also offers same-day and lab-made dental crowns for your teeth. If you’d like more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (623)-925-8208.