A broken crown on Friday afternoon shouldn't mean weekend suffering. At Casco Bay Smiles, patients arrive with a damaged tooth and leave the same day with a permanent restoration — no temporary crown, no second visit, no weeks of waiting.
How Same-Day Crowns Work
The process transforms multi-week treatment into one comfortable appointment:
Digital Impression — A Medit digital scanner captures precise 3D images of your tooth in minutes, with no uncomfortable impression material.
Computer Design — CAD software creates a virtual crown model accounting for your bite, adjacent teeth, and natural tooth shape.
In-Office Milling — The crown is carved from a high-quality ceramic block using our in-office mill in 15–20 minutes.
Placement and Refinement — Dr. McVety fits the crown, adjusts for a comfortable bite, and permanently bonds it in place.
The full appointment typically takes 2–3 hours from start to finish.
What Are Same-Day Crowns Made Of?
Same-day crowns are milled from lithium disilicate — a premium ceramic engineered for strength, durability, and a natural appearance. These metal-free, biocompatible restorations match the translucency and color variations of natural tooth enamel. Pre-fabricated ceramic blocks ensure consistent quality and reliable strength while resisting staining.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
• Single appointment — complete treatment in one 2–3 hour visit rather than multiple appointments over weeks • No temporary crown — eliminates the discomfort, dietary restrictions, and anxiety that come with temporaries • Immediate function — eat and speak normally with a fully functional permanent crown the same day • Digital precision — advanced scanning creates a more accurate fit than traditional impressions • Emergency-ready — ideal for broken or lost crowns requiring urgent restoration • Reduced sensitivity — no weeks of exposed tooth vulnerability between visits
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Same-day crowns are a strong option for patients with:
• Cracked, broken, or extensively decayed teeth needing immediate protection • Old crowns that are loose, broken, or no longer fitting properly • Schedule constraints making multiple dental visits difficult • Dental anxiety — completing everything in one session removes ongoing stress • Sudden crown failure from accidents or unexpected damage
Sedation Options for Your Comfort
Dental anxiety shouldn't prevent necessary care. We offer:
Oral Sedation — A prescription medication taken before your appointment helps you relax while remaining conscious throughout treatment.
IV Sedation — For patients who want to sleep through the procedure, certified registered nurse anesthetists provide deep sedation with continuous monitoring.
What Does a Same-Day Crown Cost?
Costs vary based on the tooth type, case complexity, and your insurance coverage. Many plans that cover traditional crowns also cover same-day versions, since only the process differs — not the result. We review your insurance benefits and out-of-pocket considerations at your consultation before any treatment begins.
Why Casco Bay Smiles for Same-Day Crowns
• Advanced in-office mills — two VHF precision mills and Glidewell systems allow fabricating multiple restorations simultaneously • Dr. McVety's training — advanced coursework through the DentLit Academy and Kois Center in minimally invasive restorations and adhesion science • 3D printing backup — a SprintRay 3D printer creates high-quality temporaries whenever needed • Comfort-focused environment — noise-canceling headphones, Netflix, warm blankets, and a spa-like atmosphere throughout your visit • Comprehensive care — from routine crown replacements to complex restorative needs, all under one roof