A same-day crown, sometimes called a CEREC crown or chairside crown, is designed, milled, and fitted in a single appointment. The patient value is workflow: digital scan, ceramic milling, fitting, and bonding without a temporary crown.
This guide focuses on the scan-to-fit process. For broader fee planning across all crown types, see our dental crown fees guide.
How same-day crowns are made
The process uses CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technology. Here is what happens at your appointment.
Tooth preparation. Your dentist numbs the area and prepares the tooth in the same way as for a traditional crown. Decay is removed and the tooth is shaped to accommodate the crown.
Digital scanning. Instead of taking a physical impression with putty, your dentist uses an intraoral scanner to capture a detailed 3D image of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. This takes a few minutes and is more comfortable than traditional moulds.
Crown design. The digital scan feeds into design software. Your dentist uses the software to design the crown on screen, adjusting the shape, contours, and bite contact points to match your natural teeth. This is where clinical skill intersects with digital technology.
Milling. The design is sent to an in-office milling unit, which carves the crown from a solid block of ceramic material. Milling takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
Fitting and bonding. The milled crown is tried in your mouth, checked for fit and bite accuracy, and bonded permanently to the prepared tooth. Final adjustments to the bite are made, and the crown is polished.
Total appointment time: approximately 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the case.
What materials are used
Same-day crowns are typically milled from one of two ceramic materials.
Lithium disilicate (e.g., IPS e.max). A glass ceramic that combines good strength with excellent aesthetics. It has a natural translucency that mimics real enamel, making it a popular choice for front teeth and premolars.
Zirconia. A stronger, more opaque ceramic suited to back teeth that need to withstand heavy chewing force. Modern zirconia materials have improved in translucency, making them more natural-looking than earlier versions, though they are still less translucent than lithium disilicate.
Your dentist will recommend the material based on where the crown is in your mouth and the forces it needs to handle.
Cost of same-day crowns in Brisbane
Crown type | Starting price |
|---|---|
Same-day ceramic crown (where suitable) | From $1,600 |
Lab-made ceramic crown | From $1,600 |
Lab-made zirconia crown | From $1,600 |
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
Same-day crowns and lab-made crowns are often in a similar price range. The same-day option eliminates the need for a temporary crown and a second appointment, which some patients find worth the convenience even when the fee is comparable.
Health fund rebates apply to same-day crowns in the same way as traditional crowns. At Ivy Dental, we process claims on site with HICAPS. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants.
Who same-day crowns suit
Same-day crowns work well for:
- Patients who want to avoid wearing a temporary crown for two weeks
- People with busy schedules who prefer a single appointment
- Back and front teeth that need a standard crown restoration
- Patients who dislike physical impression materials (the gag reflex is common)
- Cases where the tooth needs prompt protection, such as a large fracture
The single-appointment convenience is a genuine advantage. No temporary crown means no risk of it falling off, no sensitivity from an exposed tooth, and no need to rearrange your schedule for a second visit.
When a lab-made crown may be preferable
Same-day technology is excellent, but there are cases where a lab-made crown offers advantages.
Complex aesthetics. For front teeth where colour matching, layering, and translucency are critical, a skilled ceramist in a dental lab can hand-layer porcelain to achieve a more nuanced, lifelike result. This matters most for single front-tooth crowns that need to match adjacent natural teeth precisely.
Multi-unit cases. If you need several crowns across adjacent teeth, lab fabrication allows the ceramist to craft them as a coordinated set, matching colour gradients and contours across the group.
Very high-stress positions. For patients who grind heavily, a lab-made zirconia crown may offer greater durability than a chairside-milled option.
For a detailed comparison, see our guide on same-day vs lab-made crowns.
What to expect after your crown is placed
Same-day crowns are definitively bonded or cemented at the appointment. Bite adjustment, sensitivity, pulp response, and adaptation vary, and a review may be needed. Contact the clinic if pain is severe, worsening, triggered by biting, or persists beyond the instructions provided.
Care is the same as for any dental crown: brush twice daily, floss around the crown, avoid biting extremely hard objects, and attend regular check-ups. With proper care, a well-made ceramic crown can last 10 to 15 years or longer.
Your dentist will check the crown at your next routine appointment to ensure the fit and bite remain accurate.
Getting a same-day crown at Ivy Dental
At Ivy Dental in Everton Park and Nundah, we use digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology for crown fabrication. Whether a same-day or lab-made crown is more appropriate for your tooth depends on the clinical situation. We will explain both options, recommend the one that suits your case, and provide a clear quote before starting.
Book a crown consultation at Ivy Dental. Call (07) 3266 7120 or visit us at Everton Park or Nundah. Open 7 days.
