If you have a tooth that’s broken or has a cavity, or if an old filling or crown isn’t working well anymore, you might want to consider getting a same-day crown. This means your dentist can make a new ceramic tootxh cover for you in just one visit. A dental crown is like a cap that goes over a tooth to fix it up and protect it. It makes the tooth look and work better. Crowns can be made of different materials like ceramic, metal, porcelain, or resin.
So, how does it happen? Here are the steps you’ll probably go through to get this special dental crown:
The fastmill.io™ In-Office Mill is the only chairside milling unit capable of producing BruxZir NOW crowns. BruxZir crown will be milled and ready for delivery in under 40 minutes.
A key benefit to using a lab-quality milling machine is that doctors can mill BruxZir NOW — the pre-sintered zirconia block that can be milled and delivered with no oven time, firing or glazing required — right in their office. It is literally as simple as milling, polishing, cementing and moving on.
With the regular process, you have to go to the dentist twice and wait for weeks. First, the dentist takes an impression of your tooth during a consultation. Then, a dental lab makes a crown to fit your tooth. This can take days. But with a same-day crown, the dentist uses special technology right in the office to make your crown quickly. So, you don’t have to wait long for your new tooth.
BruxZir Zirconia is the No. 1 prescribed restorative material, cited as one of the most important developments in modern dentistry by Dr. Gordon Christensen. It is proven to be an ideal material for single-unit restorations in the posterior, and now with the advent of BruxZir Esthetic, it is rapidly replacing IPS e.max® crowns as the go-to selection for anterior cases. Same-day crowns are typically made from high-quality, tooth-colored Zirconia or ceramic, making them strong, long-lasting, and natural-looking.
With regular crowns, you get temporary ones while you wait for the permanent one to be made. But with same-day crowns, you skip this step because you get your permanent crown right away.
Like any procedure, there are good and not-so-good things about getting a same-day crown. It just depends on what you need.
Find quick answers to common questions about our dental services, procedures, and patient care in our FAQ section.
A same-day crown is a ceramic or zirconia dental cap that is designed, milled, and placed on your tooth all in a single dental visit — no waiting weeks or returning for a second appointment.
The crown itself is milled in about 40 minutes using in-office technology. Plan for a single appointment of roughly 1.5–2 hours from start to finish, which includes preparing the tooth, taking a digital scan, milling the crown, and placing it the same day, making your whole appointment convenient in one visit.
Excel Dental uses the fastmill.io™ In-Office Mill, which mills BruxZir NOW zirconia crowns chairside in under 40 minutes — no lab, no oven time, no firing or glazing required.
Same-day crowns are made from BruxZir Zirconia — the #1 prescribed restorative material in dentistry. It is high-strength, tooth-colored, and long-lasting, making it ideal for both back and front teeth.
Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan. Excel Dental accepts most insurances, including MassHealth. It’s best to call your location directly to confirm your coverage before your appointment.
Same-day crowns are cared for like natural teeth — brush twice daily, floss regularly, and avoid chewing extremely hard foods. Excel Dental provides post-op instructions to guide your recovery.
Most patients who need a crown to restore a damaged, decayed, or previously treated tooth are good candidates for a same-day crown. In some cases — such as when a tooth needs additional treatment first (like a root canal) or has extensive damage — your dentist may recommend a different approach. Your Excel Dental dentist will evaluate your tooth and recommend the best option at your visit.
The procedure is comfortable for most patients. Your dentist uses local anesthesia to numb the area while preparing the tooth, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. Mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually short-lived.
Same-day zirconia crowns are all-ceramic, so they are tooth-colored throughout with no dark metal line at the gumline — a more natural look than traditional PFM crowns, with comparable strength and the convenience of a single visit.
In many cases, yes — but availability depends on your schedule, your treatment needs, and your insurance requirements (some plans require prior authorization). Call your nearest Excel Dental location to check availability and book.