If you have been told you need a dental crown, one of the first questions that comes up is whether to go with a same day crown or a traditional lab made crown. Both are proven, high quality options, and both can restore a damaged tooth for many years to come. The right choice depends on your tooth, your schedule and what matters most to you.
This guide walks through everything you need to know before your appointment so you can have an informed conversation with your dentist.
What is a same day crown?
A same day crown is a dental crown that is designed and fabricated in the dental clinic during a single appointment. At Be Dental, we use CEREC technology to complete the entire process in 80 to 100 minutes. Your tooth is digitally scanned, your crown is designed on screen and then milled from a solid block of ceramic or zirconia while you take a break. When you come back, your permanent crown is ready to fit.
There are no traditional impressions, no temporary crown and no second appointment.
What is a lab made crown?
A lab made crown follows the traditional two-appointment process. At the first appointment, your dentist prepares the tooth, takes an impression and fits a temporary crown. That impression is sent to a dental laboratory where a technician hand crafts your permanent crown, usually over one to two weeks. At your second appointment, the temporary is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.
Same day crown vs lab crown: comparison at a glance
The table below gives a quick side-by-side overview of the key differences.
| Factor | Same day crown (CEREC) | Lab made crown |
|---|---|---|
| Appointments needed | 1 appointment | 2 |
| Total time | 80 to 100 minutes | 2 to 3 weeks across 2 visits |
| Temporary crown required | Not required | Yes |
| Impressions | Digital scan only | Traditional or digital impression |
| Materials available | Zirconia, high strength ceramic | Zirconia, ceramic, porcelain, metal, PFM |
| Typical lifespan | 10 to 15 years or more | 10 to 15 years or more |
| Strength | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best for | Most patients, emergency cases, busy schedules | Complex cosmetic cases, specialist layering |
| Starting price at Be Dental | From $1,850 | Varies by material and lab |
The key differences explained
Number of appointments
This is the most obvious difference. A same day crown means one appointment and one block of time in your schedule. A lab made crown requires two appointments, usually spaced one to two weeks apart.
For patients who work full time, live further from the practice, or simply want to resolve a dental concern quickly, the single appointment option is a significant advantage.
Temporary crowns
With a lab made crown, you leave your first appointment wearing a temporary crown. Temporaries do the job, but they are not as strong or as well fitted as permanent crowns. They can occasionally become loose or dislodged, which means an extra trip to the dentist before your permanent crown is even ready.
With a same day crown, the permanent crown is fitted on the day. There is no temporary involved at any stage.
How the crown is made
Same day crowns are milled by a computer-controlled machine from a solid ceramic or zirconia block, based on a precise digital scan of your tooth. The digital process removes human measurement error and produces a consistent, accurate fit.
Lab made crowns are shaped and refined by a dental technician working from an impression. In the hands of a skilled technician, this process allows for a high level of artistic detail, particularly for cosmetic cases where colour gradation and custom characterisation are important.
Materials and strength
Both types of crown use high quality dental ceramics. Same day CEREC crowns at Be Dental are made from zirconia or lithium disilicate, which are among the strongest materials in modern dentistry. Lab made crowns have access to a slightly wider range of materials, including traditional porcelain fused to metal, which is rarely recommended today due to aesthetic limitations.
For the vast majority of patients, the materials available through same day technology are more than sufficient for any tooth in the mouth.
Durability and lifespan
Same day crowns and lab made crowns last a comparable amount of time. Most patients can expect their crown to remain in good condition for 10 to 15 years, with many lasting considerably longer depending on oral hygiene, bite habits and regular check ups.
If you would like to read more on this topic, we have a dedicated article on whether same day crowns last as long as traditional crowns.
Cost
At Be Dental, same day CEREC crowns start from $1,850. Lab made crown costs vary depending on the material chosen and the dental laboratory used. Your dentist will always provide a clear quote before any treatment begins so you can check your rebate with your health fund.
When is a lab made crown the better choice?
Same day crowns are the right option for most patients, but there are some situations where a lab made crown may be recommended instead.
Complex cosmetic cases are the main exception. If you are having work done on a very visible front tooth and the desired outcome requires a dental technician to hand layer and characterise the porcelain for a perfect colour match, a lab made crown can offer a higher level of artistic detail. This is a relatively uncommon scenario, but it is worth discussing with your dentist if the aesthetic outcome is the primary goal.
Your dentist will always recommend the approach that best suits your specific tooth, your bite and your expectations.
Who is a same day crown best suited to?
Most patients are good candidates for a same day CEREC crown. The option is particularly well suited to people who:
- Have a busy schedule and want to resolve the issue in a single visit
- Have a broken or painful tooth that needs an urgent solution
- Want to avoid wearing a temporary crown for one to two weeks
- Prefer digital scanning over traditional impressions
- Are after a strong, natural looking result with premium materials
What to expect at your same day crown appointment at Be Dental
Your appointment will run for approximately 80 to 100 minutes in total. After the initial preparation and digital scan, there is a 40-minute break built into the process while your crown is being milled. Many patients take the opportunity to grab a coffee, do some shopping at Arundel Plaza, or simply relax before coming back for the fitting.
Your dentist will check the fit carefully before cementing the crown in place, making any small adjustments needed to ensure your bite feels right. You will also receive aftercare guidance to help your crown last as long as possible.