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Dental crowns are a great way to fix damaged teeth and get them back to working properly. When it comes to options, you’ve got Same Day Crowns and Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns. Think of PFM crowns as the tried-and-true classic: they've been around forever and are known for their reliability. Same Day Crowns, on the other hand, are the new kid on the block—fast, sleek and tech-savvy.
Each option has its own pros and cons, so it’s good to understand their differences to pick the one that fits your needs best. Curious about how they stack up? Let’s dive in and find out!
How does same day crowns fare against PFM crowns?
Same-day crowns offer a modern and convenient solution for dental restorations, allowing you to get a new crown in just one day. This process uses advanced CAD/CAM technology for the precise and efficient creation of dental crowns. In contrast, PFM crowns follow a more traditional approach and typically takes about two weeks to get a dental crown fitted.
1) Time
With same day crowns, you don’t have to make multiple trips to the dentist. Instead, you can get your new crown all in one day. This quick process is perfect for people with busy lifestyles who might require a fast fix or have an urgent dental issue. Here’s how it works for same day crowns.
Digital Scan: After your tooth is prepared for the crown, instead of using messy molds, your dentist takes a quick digital scan of your tooth. This scan creates a detailed 3D image.
Design: The 3D image is sent to a computer program where a crown design is made.
Creating the Crown: Once the design is set, it’s sent to a milliing machine that carves the crown out of a solid block of material. This machine works accurately, reducing mistakes and making sure your crown fits perfectly.
Finishing Touches: The crown is checked, polished and adjusted as needed. Your dentist will then place it on your tooth so you leave with your new crown in place.
This modern method saves time and makes the whole process smoother and faster compared to traditional methods, which often take longer and involve more steps.
2) Appearance
When it comes to same-day crowns, dentists usually use two types of materials, that is Zirconia and E-max. Here’s a simple breakdown of each.
Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia crowns are known for their incredible strength and durability, making them ideal for back teeth that endure a lot of chewing pressure. They’re tough enough to resist breaking or chipping, making them a reliable option for these high-use areas.
E-max Crowns: E-max crowns are made from lithium disilicate and offer a more translucent appearance, which gives them a natural look. This translucency makes E-max crowns especially suitable for front teeth where aesthetics are important.
Read more about Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate here.
One significant advantage of same day crowns over traditional PFM dental crown is that they don’t have a metal interior. PFM crowns can sometimes reveal a dark metal line at the edge, especially if your gums recede over time. This line can be noticeable and affect the crown's appearance. With Zirconia and E-max crowns, you avoid this issue and achieve a more seamless and natural look.
3) Accuracy and comfort
In the past, creating dental crowns involved using messy, goopy materials to take an impression of your teeth. This could be uncomfortable and challenging, especially for those with a strong gag reflex or who struggled with traditional impression trays.
With same day crowns, we use 3D scanning technology to capture detailed images of your teeth. This scanner is small and fits comfortably in your mouth, making the impression process much more pleasant. The scanner takes accurate, digital impressions, which are then used to design and create your crown with great precision.
This modern approach not only improves comfort but also speeds up the entire process. Digital scans are quicker and eliminate the need for bulky trays and uncomfortable materials, making it a more efficient and enjoyable experience for you.
4) No need for temporary crowns
As mentioned above, it usually takes about two weeks to create a PFM crown. During this waiting period, your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth to keep it protected. In contrast, same day crowns are designed, created and placed all in one day. Since the final crown is ready so quickly, there’s no need for a temporary crown. This speeds up the entire process and avoids the additional cost associated with temporary crowns, making the whole experience more convenient and cost-effective.
| Same Day Crowns | Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication Time | Designed, created and placed in a single day. | Typically takes about two weeks. |
| Temporary Crown | No temporary crown needed; final crown is placed immediately. | A temporary crown is used while waiting for the final PFM crown. Temporary crown will incur additional costs. |
| Cost | +++++ | +++ |
| Materials Used | Made from materials like Zirconia or E-max. | Made from a combination of porcelain and metal. |
| Appearance | E-max crowns are more translucent and look natural, especially for front teeth. | Porcelain may have a metal line that can show at the gum line, affecting appearance. |
| Convenience | Faster overall process, less time in the dental chair. | Longer process with multiple visits required. |
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References
1. Gordon J. Christensen, D. (2023, February 24). Zirconia vs. lithium disilicate. Dental Economics. https://www.dentaleconomics.com/science-tech/article/16390419/zirconia-vs-lithium-disilicate
2. Kelly, J., & Benetti, P. (2011). Ceramic Materials in Dentistry: Historical Evolution and current practice. Australian Dental Journal, 56 (s1), 84–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2010.01299.x