Same Day Crowns

 
 
 

Let’s be honest—nobody actually enjoys spending more time in the dentist's chair than they have to. In the past, getting a crown was a bit of an ordeal: you’d have to deal with those messy, gag-inducing putty impressions, go home with a temporary cap that never quite felt right, and then wait a couple of weeks for a lab to send back the permanent one.

At S3 Dental Haywards Heath, we’ve decided to leave those days behind. With our CEREC same-day technology, we’ve streamlined the whole experience. Instead of two or three visits, we can now scan your tooth, design your custom crown on a computer, and mill it right here in the practice while you wait. It’s "dentistry in a day" that doesn't compromise on quality. In this post, we’re breaking down exactly how it works and why our patients are loving the fact that they can walk in with a problem and walk out with a permanent, high-strength smile in a single afternoon.

So, what does the actual appointment look like? It’s honestly a much smoother experience than the old-school way of doing things. We’ve broken it down into four simple steps so you know exactly what to expect:

1. The Digital Scan (No more putty!)

First, we prep your tooth just like a regular crown to make sure everything is healthy. But here’s the best part: instead of those awkward, gag-inducing trays of cold putty, we use a small handheld scanner. It takes a detailed 3D digital map of your mouth in seconds. It’s cleaner, way more comfortable, and incredibly precise.

2. Custom Design on the Big Screen

Next, we pull that scan up on our computer. It’s pretty fascinating to watch—we actually design your new tooth right there in front of you. We can tweak the shape, size, and bite to make sure it’s a perfect match for your smile. It’s essentially bespoke digital tailoring for your tooth.

3. Watching it Print

Once we’re happy with the design, we send it over to our in-house milling machine. It’s like a high-tech 3D carver that whistles away, shaping your crown from a solid block of strong ceramic. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes, which is the perfect time for you to sit back with a coffee and relax while the "mini-factory" does the hard work.

4. The Final Polish and Fit

After the crown is milled, we add the finishing touches. We’ll glaze and polish it so it has that natural shine and blends in perfectly with your other teeth. Once we’re both happy with the look, we bond it into place permanently. You walk out with a brand-new, durable tooth, and you won't have to worry about a temporary cap falling off or coming back for a second appointment.

How CEREC crowns compare to traditional crowns -

  • The Time Factor - With CEREC we’re talking about a single visit—usually about 90 minutes and you’re done. A traditional crown takes at least two separate appointments spaced about two weeks apart.

  • The Gag Factor - CEREC uses a sleek digital camera to scan your teeth. If you’ve ever had to bite down on a tray full of cold, gooey putty for a traditional crown, you’ll know exactly why our patients prefer the digital version!

  • The Temporary Hassle - Because a traditional crown is made in a lab, you have to wear a plastic temporary cap for a fortnight. These are notorious for feeling off or popping off at the worst time. With CEREC, there is no temporary—you walk out with the permanent tooth straight away.

  • The Look and Feel - Both options look great, but CEREC gives us total control. We design it while you’re in the chair, so we can make sure the fit and the colour match are spot on before we bond it in.

So, there you have it! Getting a crown doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process anymore. With CEREC, we’ve taken all the bits people hate about dental work—the messy putty, the temporary caps, and the multiple trips to the surgery—and replaced them with a single, smooth visit that gets you back to your day with a smile that looks and feels brand new.

If you have a tooth that’s been bothering you, or if you’ve been told you need a crown and want to see if the same-day option is right for you, we’d love to help. You can book in for a full dental examination with our Principal Dentist, Dr. Sami Butt, who can assess your smile and show you exactly how our digital technology can work for you.

Ready to get your smile sorted? Click here to book your consultation with Dr. Sami Butt, or give our friendly team at S3 Dental Haywards Heath a call at 01444 440123.

Sooki Reeves