Digital Dentistry5 min read

    How Same-Day Crowns Compare to Traditional Crowns

    By Dr. Joshua Prentice, DDSPublished Updated

    The hidden costs of traditional two-visit crowns—and why Glidewell.io same-day technology is the smarter choice for most patients.

    For decades, getting a dental crown meant two appointments, messy impressions, uncomfortable temporary crowns, and weeks of waiting. But technology has changed everything. At Prentice Dental, we use Glidewell.io same-day crown technology to deliver permanent, custom crowns in a single visit—and the results speak for themselves. If you're looking for same-day crowns in Flower Mound, here's why patients choose us.

    The Traditional Crown Problem

    Traditional crowns require two appointments separated by 2-3 weeks. Here's what that process involves:

    • Messy impressions: Gooey putty that triggers gag reflexes and often needs to be redone
    • Temporary crown headaches: Fragile plastic temporaries that break, fall off, or collect food underneath
    • Two weeks of worry: Avoiding hard foods, feeling self-conscious about appearance, dealing with sensitivity
    • Lost productivity: Two separate appointments means two missed work days or schedule disruptions
    • Lab uncertainty: You're trusting technicians you've never met to create something that fits properly

    The Same-Day Crown Advantage

    Glidewell.io same-day crowns eliminate every single problem above. Here's what Dr. Prentice's patients experience instead:

    • Digital scanning: No goop, no gagging—just a comfortable 3D scan in minutes
    • No temporary crown: Walk out with your permanent crown the same day—nothing breaks, nothing falls off
    • Immediate results: Eat normally the same day, minimal sensitivity for most patients, no waiting period
    • One appointment: A single same-day crown is a 90–120 minute appointment—one disruption instead of two
    • Dr. Prentice controls everything: He designs, mills, and places your crown himself—no outsourcing to unknown labs

    Why Most Dentists Still Use Traditional Crowns

    If same-day crowns are so much better, why doesn't every dentist offer them? Three reasons:

    1. Cost: In-house milling is a significant investment in equipment.
    2. Training: Glidewell.io requires extensive training and practice. Dr. Prentice brings over a decade of experience to this work.
    3. Time commitment: Traditional crowns are faster for the dentist (outsource to a lab). Same-day crowns require the dentist to be present throughout fabrication.

    Are Same-Day Crowns as Strong?

    Same-day crowns are built for strength and long-term wear; your exam decides the best material. Glidewell.io crowns are milled from solid blocks of high-density ceramic—no air bubbles, no weak spots. Traditional lab crowns can have microscopic flaws introduced during the layering and firing process. Plus, same-day crowns bond immediately to freshly prepared tooth structure, creating a stronger seal that reduces the risk of future decay underneath.

    The Bottom Line

    Unless you have a very complex cosmetic case requiring ultra-precise color matching (rare), same-day crowns are an excellent option for most patients. They save time, eliminate temporary crown problems, and deliver precise fits. Both options are built for strength and long-term wear; your exam decides the best material.

    Dr. Prentice will evaluate your tooth and explain whether a same-day crown or a lab-made crown is the better fit for you.

    Disclosure: Dr. Prentice is a Glidewell Chairside contributor.

    Dr. Joshua Prentice

    About Dr. Joshua Prentice

    DDS, Kois Center Graduate with Honors

    Dr. Prentice has completed advanced training at the prestigious Kois Center, one of dentistry's most respected institutions for comprehensive treatment planning and evidence-based care. He speaks for Nobel Biocare and has guest-lectured Texas A&M College of Dentistry AEGD residents on clinical photography and treatment planning.Disclosure: Dr. Prentice is a paid speaker for Nobel Biocare.

    Practicing since 2014, Dr. Prentice combines cutting-edge technology with evidence-based protocols to deliver predictable, lasting results for complex dental cases.

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    Need a Crown? Get It Done Today

    Dr. Prentice can evaluate your tooth and, in most cases, complete your crown the same day using Glidewell.io technology. No temporaries, no second visit.

    Or call us at (972) 539-6831