What is a Same-Day Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth — restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. Traditionally, getting a crown takes two appointments spread over two to three weeks: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, and another to place the permanent crown after a lab has fabricated it. In between, you wear a temporary crown that can chip, loosen, or come off entirely.
Same-day crowns change all of that. Using our in-office Glidewell.io milling system and the iTero Lumina scanner, we digitally scan your tooth, design your crown on-screen, mill it from a solid block of high-grade ceramic, and bond it into place — all in a single appointment, typically in under two hours.
Why It’s Different (and Better)
- One appointment, not two — no second trip back, no time off work twice
- No temporary crown — no risk of it falling off, no chewing restrictions for weeks
- No goopy impressions — digital intraoral scanner instead of impression trays
- Precision-milled ceramic — high-quality material designed and finished in-office for an exact fit
- Color-matched on the spot — verified in real time against your natural teeth
How It Works (5 Steps)
- Exam and tooth preparation
- Digital scan with iTero Lumina
- On-screen crown design using Glidewell.io software
- In-office milling (15-20 minutes)
- Glaze, fit, and bond
Total chair time: typically 90 minutes to 2 hours, start to finish.
Is a Same-Day Crown Right for You?
Great candidates:
- Patients with a cracked, broken, or worn tooth
- Anyone replacing a large old filling that’s failing
- Patients who’ve had a root canal and need a crown to protect the tooth
- Busy patients who can’t make multiple appointments
- Out-of-town patients visiting Kirkland for treatment
Cases that may require traditional crown placement:
- Front teeth requiring complex multi-shade aesthetics
- Teeth with significant bone or gum complications
Cost & Insurance
Same-day crowns are typically billed at the same rate as traditional crowns — most dental insurance plans cover them at the same percentage. We accept most major insurance providers and offer payment plans for patients without coverage.
How long does a same-day crown last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a same-day crown can last many years. Its lifespan depends on your bite, habits, and how well the tooth is cared for.
Does it hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed before treatment, so you should stay comfortable during the procedure. Some mild soreness or sensitivity afterward is normal and usually fades quickly.
How does the ceramic compare to porcelain or metal?
Modern ceramic crowns are strong, natural-looking, and metal-free. They are designed to blend with your smile while providing durable protection for the tooth.
Can I eat normally afterward?
Yes, once the numbness wears off. It is best to avoid chewing very hard or sticky foods right away, but most patients return to normal eating the same day.
What if something goes wrong with the crown later?
If the crown feels high, loose, uncomfortable, or damaged, contact the office. The dentist can evaluate it and make adjustments, repairs, or recommend replacement if needed.
What’s Glidewell.io?
Glidewell.io is a digital dentistry system that helps dentists design and create custom crowns in the office. It allows many crowns to be completed in a single visit without a temporary crown.