Same-Day Crowns in Aurora, CO
A Custom Dental Crown in One Visit — No Temporary, No Second Appointment
Why wait weeks for a dental crown when you can have one placed the same day? At Highpoint Dental Care & Implant Center, our in-office CAD/CAM milling technology allows us to design, fabricate, and place a custom ceramic crown in approximately two hours. You walk in with a damaged tooth. You walk out with a permanent, natural-looking restoration — backed by our 5-year warranty.
One Visit Is Better Than Two
With a traditional dental crown, the process typically requires two separate appointments spread over two to three weeks. During the first visit, the dentist prepares your tooth, takes an impression, and places a temporary crown. That impression is sent to an outside lab, where your permanent crown is fabricated. You then return for a second visit to have the temporary removed and the permanent crown cemented. During the waiting period, temporary crowns can come loose, crack, or cause sensitivity — and they rarely feel like a natural tooth.
Same-day crowns eliminate that entire process. At Highpoint Dental, everything happens in a single appointment. There is no impression tray, no temporary crown, and no return visit. Your tooth is prepared, digitally scanned, and restored with a permanent ceramic crown in approximately two hours. If you need a crown placed urgently — such as after a tooth breaks or for an emergency dental situation — same-day technology means you don't have to leave our office with a compromised tooth.
Every same-day crown we place comes with a 5-year warranty that covers defects, provided the patient maintains regular hygiene and checkup visits. This warranty reflects the quality of our materials, our technology, and the precision of our in-office fabrication process.
When You Might Need a Dental Crown
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration that covers and protects a damaged tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. You may need a crown if you have:
- A cracked or fractured tooth — Cracks weaken the tooth structure and can worsen over time. A crown holds the tooth together and prevents further damage.
- Severe tooth decay — When a cavity is too large for a standard filling to support, a crown provides full coverage and structural reinforcement.
- A tooth after root canal treatment — After a root canal, the treated tooth becomes more brittle. A crown protects it from fracture.
- A worn-down or misshapen tooth — Whether from grinding, aging, or injury, a crown restores the tooth to its original form and function.
- A dental implant that needs a restoration — Dental implants require a crown on top to replace the visible portion of the missing tooth.
- Cosmetic concerns — A crown can cover a severely discolored, chipped, or uneven tooth to improve your smile's appearance.
If you are unsure whether you need a crown, a consultation with our team will include digital imaging to evaluate the condition of your tooth and determine the best treatment option.
How Same-Day Crowns Work at Highpoint Dental
Our same-day crown process uses advanced CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology to create precision-fitted ceramic restorations chairside. Here is what happens during your visit.
Step 1: Tooth Preparation
The dentist removes any decay or damaged structure and shapes the tooth to receive the crown. Local anesthesia is used to ensure you are completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
Step 2: Digital Scanning
Instead of biting into a messy impression tray, we use an optical scanner to capture a highly detailed 3D image of your prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. This digital scan eliminates the discomfort of traditional impressions and is especially beneficial for patients with sensitive gag reflexes. We have two state-of-the-art optical scanners in our office.
Step 3: Computer-Aided Design
Using CAD software, the digital scan is transformed into a precise crown design on screen. The software accounts for your bite alignment, the shape of your neighboring teeth, and the ideal contour for a natural fit. The dentist reviews and refines the design before milling begins.
Step 4: In-Office Milling
The approved design is sent to our in-office milling unit, which carves your crown from a solid block of high-grade dental ceramic. The milling process takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Because the crown is fabricated on-site — not in an outside lab — we have full control over the quality and accuracy of the final product.
Step 5: Bonding and Final Adjustments
The finished crown is bonded to your prepared tooth using dental cement. The dentist checks your bite, adjusts the fit as needed, and polishes the surface for a smooth, natural feel. You leave the office with a permanent crown that matches your surrounding teeth in color and shape.
The entire process, from preparation to placement, typically takes about two hours.
Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns
Understanding the differences between same-day and traditional crowns can help you decide which option is right for you.
Both types of crowns are durable and effective. Same-day crowns are ideal for most situations, particularly when convenience is important or when a tooth needs immediate protection. Traditional lab-fabricated crowns may still be recommended in certain cases — for example, when a specific metal alloy is needed for a back molar under heavy bite force, or when the crown is part of a complex multi-unit bridge.
Our team will recommend the option that gives you the best combination of strength, appearance, and longevity for your specific tooth.
Other Same-Day Restorations
In addition to crowns, our CAD/CAM system can fabricate several other restorations in a single visit:
- Bridges — Replace one or more missing teeth with a fixed restoration anchored to adjacent teeth.
- Veneers — Thin ceramic shells that cover the front surface of teeth for cosmetic improvement.
- Inlays and onlays — Conservative restorations that repair moderately damaged teeth when a full crown is not necessary.
- Nightguards and surgical splints — Custom-milled protective devices for teeth grinding or surgical planning.
These same-day restorations offer the same combination of precision, convenience, and quality that makes our single-visit crowns possible.
Why Choose Highpoint Dental for Same-Day Crowns
- True in-office fabrication — Your crown is designed and milled in our Aurora office during your appointment. No outside labs, no waiting.
- 5-year warranty — Every same-day crown is backed by a 5-year warranty against defects, provided you maintain regular hygiene and checkup visits.
- Two optical scanners — Digital impressions with no impression trays, no gagging, and no discomfort.
- Over 40 years of combined experience — Our team has placed thousands of crowns using both same-day and traditional methods.
- Part of comprehensive care — Same-day crowns integrate with our full range of services including general dentistry, cosmetic treatments, and implant restorations.
- Bilingual team — Our English and Spanish-speaking staff provides clear communication for every patient.
- Flexible payment options — We accept insurance and offer financing plans to make treatment affordable.
FAQ About Same-Day Crowns
How long does a same-day crown appointment take?
The full appointment typically takes about two hours from start to finish. This includes tooth preparation, digital scanning, crown design, in-office milling, and final bonding. You leave with your permanent crown placed — no second visit needed.
Are same-day crowns as durable as traditional crowns?
Yes. Same-day crowns are milled from high-grade dental ceramic and are comparable in strength and longevity to lab-fabricated porcelain crowns. They are designed to withstand normal chewing forces and, with proper care, can last 15 years or longer. We back every same-day crown with a 5-year warranty.
Do same-day crowns look natural?
Absolutely. The ceramic material is color-matched to blend with your surrounding teeth, and the CAD/CAM design process ensures the crown follows the natural contours of the tooth it replaces. Most patients and the people around them cannot tell the difference between a same-day crown and a natural tooth.
Is the same-day crown process painful?
No. Local anesthesia is used to numb the tooth and surrounding area before any work begins. The digital scanning process is completely painless — there are no impression trays involved. Most patients report that the experience is more comfortable than they expected.
How much does a same-day crown cost?
The cost of a same-day crown is generally comparable to a traditional lab-fabricated crown. Most dental insurance plans cover crowns as a major restorative procedure. For patients without insurance or with remaining out-of-pocket costs, we offer financing and payment options to make treatment affordable. During your consultation, we provide a clear cost estimate before any work begins.
Can a same-day crown be used on any tooth?
Same-day ceramic crowns work well for the majority of teeth, including front teeth and premolars. In certain situations — such as a back molar under exceptionally heavy bite force — a traditional lab-fabricated crown using a metal alloy may be recommended instead. Our team evaluates each case individually and recommends the option that will give you the best long-term result.
What happens if my same-day crown has a problem?
All of our same-day crowns are covered by a 5-year warranty. If you experience any defect with the crown during that period, we will repair or replace it at no additional cost, provided you have maintained your recommended hygiene and checkup visits. Issues with same-day crowns are rare — the CAD/CAM fabrication process produces a precision fit that minimizes complications.
Can I get a same-day crown for a dental emergency?
Yes. If you crack, break, or lose a crown and need urgent restoration, our same-day crown technology allows us to restore the tooth in a single emergency visit. You do not need to wait weeks with a temporary while a lab makes your crown.
Schedule Your Same-Day Crown Appointment
If you need a dental crown and prefer to have it done in a single visit, contact our Aurora office to schedule a consultation. We will evaluate your tooth, explain your options, and — in most cases — complete your restoration the same day. Call (303) 617-9100 or request your visit online.
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Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: By Appointment Only
Sunday: Closed