Patient guide
Same-day crown or lab-made crown: what's the difference?
How chairside crowns are made, where they excel, where a lab-made crown is better, and what that means for visitors with limited time.
By Dr. Kang Jun-guMedically reviewed by Dr. Kang Jun-guPublished Updated 4 min read
Quick answer
A same-day crown is scanned, designed and milled from a ceramic block in the clinic and fitted in one appointment, which suits back teeth and short trips. A lab-made crown takes several days to weeks and allows more hand-finished layering, which can matter for highly visible front teeth. Both can fit precisely; the choice depends on the tooth and your time.
How a same-day crown is made
- The tooth is prepared and scanned digitally
- The crown is designed on screen
- A ceramic block is milled in the clinic
- It's polished or glazed and bonded the same day
Where it works best
- Back teeth
- Cracked or heavily filled teeth
- Patients with limited time
- People who dislike impression trays
When a lab crown may be better
For front teeth where colour and translucency must match neighbouring teeth closely, a technician can layer porcelain by hand. If you have time for two visits, it's worth discussing.
Questions people also ask
Is a same-day crown weaker?
Modern milled ceramics such as lithium disilicate and zirconia are strong enough for back teeth. Strength depends on the material, not on where it's made.
How long does a same-day crown appointment take?
Usually around two hours, depending on the tooth and material.
Need this looked at in Seoul?
Check-ups, scaling and whitening, with fees shown before we start.
Dr. Kang is a board-certified Integrated Dentistry specialist trained at Yonsei, Harvard and Columbia. He treats every patient at the Gongdeok clinic himself.
About Dr. KangHow we write these guides: each guide is written from questions our patients ask, reviewed by Dr. Kang, and updated when guidance changes. It is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, please book a check-up.
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