Treatment Comparisons
Same-Day vs. Lab-Made Crowns
A same-day crown is designed and made in the office during your visit, while a lab-made crown is crafted by a dental laboratory and placed at a second appointment. Both cover and protect a damaged tooth, and the right choice depends on the tooth and the restoration it needs. Smile Art uses digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology for same-day crowns, and Dr. Lee determines which approach fits each tooth.
What is the difference between same-day and lab-made crowns?
The difference is where and when the crown is made. A same-day crown is designed from a digital scan and milled in the office, so it is placed at the same appointment. A lab-made crown is made by a dental laboratory over several days, and you wear a temporary crown while it is completed.
How is a same-day crown made?
Dr. Lee prepares the tooth, then takes a digital scan of it, the neighboring teeth, and your bite. She designs the crown from the scan, and it is milled from a solid block of ceramic in the office. Dr. Lee then checks the fit and bite before bonding the crown in place.
How is a lab-made crown made?
Dr. Lee prepares the tooth and records its shape, and the records are sent to a dental laboratory. You wear a temporary crown while a technician crafts the final crown, which can include layered shades for detailed color matching. At the second visit, Dr. Lee removes the temporary and places the final crown.
How do they compare?
| Same-day crown | Lab-made crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Visits | One appointment | Two appointments |
| Temporary crown | Not needed | Worn between visits |
| How it is made | Designed from a scan and milled in the office | Crafted by a dental laboratory |
| Materials | Solid ceramic blocks | A wider range, including layered porcelain and metal-based crowns |
| Often used for | Single crowns, especially on back teeth | Front teeth with detailed color matching, multiple-unit work, and complex cases |
When does a same-day crown fit best?
A same-day crown often fits a single tooth that needs full coverage, especially a back tooth where strength and convenience matter most. It suits patients who prefer to finish in one visit and avoid wearing a temporary crown. Dr. Lee confirms that the tooth and the planned crown fit the same-day process before you begin.
When does a lab-made crown fit best?
A lab-made crown often fits front teeth that need detailed color and translucency matching, along with bridges and crowns planned as part of larger treatment. It is also used when a particular material is needed for your bite or the tooth. Dr. Lee explains when a lab-made crown is the better choice for your tooth.
How does Dr. Lee choose the right crown?
Making a crown in one visit does not change why the tooth needs full coverage. Dr. Lee bases the restoration on the remaining tooth structure, the condition of the tooth, and the way the crown must function within your bite. She then explains which approach fits and why.
What affects the cost?
The cost of a crown depends on the material, the tooth, and any treatment needed first, such as a buildup or root canal treatment. Many dental plans cover part of a crown when it is needed to restore a tooth. You'll know your expected cost, and what your plan covers, before treatment starts.
Frequently asked questions
Are same-day crowns as strong as lab-made crowns?
Same-day crowns are milled from strong ceramic and are designed for everyday chewing. Dr. Lee chooses the material and approach based on the tooth and your bite.
Can every crown be made in one visit?
No. Dr. Lee first evaluates the tooth and its restorative needs, and the same-day process is used when the planned crown can be completed through Smile Art's CAD/CAM workflow.
Do I need a temporary crown?
Not with a same-day crown, which is placed at the same visit. With a lab-made crown, you wear a temporary crown until the final crown is ready.
How do I care for a new crown?
Brush and floss around the crown as you would a natural tooth. Our crown aftercare guide explains what to expect in the first days.
Related pages
Where is our Seattle dental office?
Smile Art is at 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98104. We welcome new patients from Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Seattle, WA 98104
HoursMonday–Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Phone(206) 325-7200
The Cabrini Medical Tower garage entrance is at 1010 Marion St. The building entrance is on Boren Ave; Dr. Lee is in Suite 1030. Parking for a Smile Art visit does not require validation. Directions to the garage. Check posted rates when you park.