The Technology Behind Single-Visit Crowns
Same-day crowns rely on advanced digital systems that replace the old-fashioned methods most people remember from years past. Instead of biting into trays of impression material that trigger gagging and leave an unpleasant taste, Dr. Prouty or Dr. Connor uses a small digital scanner that captures detailed 3D images of your tooth in minutes. The scanner is comfortable, quick, and gives your dentist incredibly precise measurements to work with.
These digital scans feed directly into specialized software where your dentist designs your crown right there in the treatment room. You can actually watch the process on the computer screen as Dr. Connor or Dr. Prouty adjusts the crown’s shape, ensures proper contact with neighbouring teeth, and perfects your bite. This digital design phase takes only 10-15 minutes.
The design then transfers to an in-house milling unit—essentially a high-precision robotic carving machine that sculpts your crown from a solid block of dental ceramic. The milling process takes approximately 15-20 minutes, producing a crown that fits your tooth precisely as designed. No outside dental lab, no shipping delays, no wondering when your permanent crown will finally arrive.
After milling, your dentist checks the fit of the crown, makes any necessary minor refinements, and permanently bonds it to your prepared tooth. You walk out with a completed restoration that’s ready to handle normal chewing immediately.
Why Single-Visit Treatment Makes Sense
The convenience factor alone convinces many patients to choose same-day crowns in Dakota Dunes. You only need to take time off work once, arrange childcare once, and sit through the numbing and preparation process once. For individuals with demanding jobs or complex schedules, consolidating everything into a single appointment eliminates significant hassle.
Temporary crowns create their own set of problems that same-day treatment lets you avoid entirely. Those temporaries are cemented with a weaker adhesive that allows removal later, which means they sometimes fall off while you’re eating sticky foods or even just brushing your teeth. When a temporary pops off, you’re left with a sensitive prepared tooth and need an emergency visit to get it re-cemented. Same-day crowns skip this vulnerability completely.
Eating restrictions disappear, too. With traditional temporaries, dentists warn you to avoid certain foods for weeks—no chewy candy, be careful with crusty bread, don’t bite into apples on that side. Same-day crowns are permanent from the moment they’re placed, so you can eat normally right away.
Digital precision often yields superior results compared to traditional impression methods. Physical impressions can distort slightly, air bubbles can create voids, and human error can affect accuracy. Digital scans eliminate these variables, capturing exact measurements that translate into crowns with better fit and a more natural feel from day one.
Situations That Call for Crowns
Crowns become necessary when tooth damage exceeds what a filling can repair. Maybe you bit down on something unexpectedly hard and heard that sickening crack, or perhaps a large old filling finally failed and took a chunk of tooth with it. When too much natural tooth structure is missing or compromised, a filling won’t provide adequate strength—a crown that covers and protects the entire visible portion of the tooth becomes the better solution.
Root canal treatment almost always requires a crown to be placed afterward. The procedure removes the tooth’s internal nerve and blood supply, essentially leaving a hollow shell. Without a crown to reinforce and protect it, that shell is prone to fracturing under normal chewing pressure. Capping the tooth after root canal therapy prevents this complication.
Chronic teeth grinding wears down enamel over time, sometimes severely. If you’ve ground your teeth flat or short over the years, crowns rebuild that lost height and protect what tooth structure remains. Many people don’t realize how much damage they’re doing until a dentist points out the wear patterns.
Cosmetic concerns motivate some crown placements, too. Teeth that are permanently discoloured from old trauma, medications, or other factors that don’t respond to whitening can be covered with crowns that match your desired shade. Misshapen teeth or teeth with awkward proportions can be reshaped and resized with crowns for improved aesthetics.
Dr. Connor and Dr. Prouty assess your individual situation and recommend the treatment that best addresses your specific needs. Sometimes a crown is clearly the right answer, while other times a different approach might serve you better.
Your Appointment From Start to Finish
Your same-day crown experience at any of the three Infinity Sedation Dentistry locations, including Dakota Dunes, Watertown, and Sioux Falls, begins with thorough numbing to ensure you stay comfortable throughout treatment. Once the anaesthesia takes effect, Dr. Prouty or Dr. Connor removes any decay present and reshapes your tooth to accommodate the crown. This preparation involves removing a thin layer from all surfaces to create space for the crown material while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Digital scanning follows preparation. The process takes just minutes and feels far more comfortable than traditional impressions. You’ll see your tooth appear on the monitor as a detailed 3D model, which your dentist uses as the foundation for designing your crown. Watching this digital design process fascinates many patients—it’s interesting to see exactly how your crown takes shape before the milling even begins.
The milling phase gives you a break. Some patients use this downtime to catch up on work emails, watch videos on their phones, or even step out briefly for a coffee break. Others simply relax in the office. When milling is complete, your dentist retrieves your crown and tries it in place to verify the fit and appearance.
Final adjustments happen at this stage. Dr. Connor or Dr. Prouty carefully checks your bite, ensuring the crown doesn’t interfere with your natural chewing pattern. Small refinements to the crown’s shape or surface might be needed. Once everything feels and looks right, your dentist permanently cements the crown, cleans up any excess cement, and you’re finished.
Most appointments last two to three hours in total, although complex cases may take slightly longer. You leave with a permanent crown that requires no special handling or dietary restrictions.
Same-Day Crowns in Dakota Dunes
Damaged teeth don’t have to mean weeks of temporary crowns and multiple appointments disrupting your schedule. Contact Infinity Sedation Dentistry in Dakota Dunes, Watertown, or Sioux Falls to learn more about same-day crowns with Dr. Kevin Connor or Dr. Brian Prouty. Whether you’re dealing with a broken tooth, need a crown after root canal treatment, or want to finally address that worn or discoloured tooth, same-day technology lets you walk in with a problem and walk out with a permanent solution. One visit, one crown, back to your life—dental care that respects your time.