Same Day Crowns in Little Rock, Arkansas

That sharp pain when you bite down isn't just discomfort—it's your tooth signaling that waiting three weeks for a traditional crown could mean the difference between saving it and losing it entirely. At Arkansas Family Dental, Dr. Mascagni's artistic eye combined with our CEREC technology means you walk in with a damaged tooth and leave the same day with a permanent, custom-fitted crown that looks and feels completely natural.

This represents everything we believe in: treating each patient like family means not leaving you vulnerable with temporary solutions when permanent ones are available immediately. Our experienced team—Dr. Mascagni, Dr. Pollard, Dr. Ludford, Dr. Eastburn, and Dr. King—uses advanced digital technology to design, mill, and place your restoration while you relax comfortably in our Little Rock practice.

What Are Same Day Dental Crowns?

Same-day crowns are permanent tooth restorations created and placed during a single appointment using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Think of it as having a dental laboratory right in our office—we prepare your tooth, digitally scan it, design your restoration on a computer, and mill it from solid ceramic while you relax in our comfortable treatment room.

The Same Day Crown Process

1. Tooth preparation: We remove damaged or decayed structure using gentle, precise techniques
2. Digital scanning: A small wand captures thousands of measurements in seconds—no messy impressions
3. Crown design: Our computer software creates your custom restoration accounting for bite, color, and adjacent teeth
4. Milling process: The CEREC unit carves your crown from solid ceramic while you wait
5. Final placement: We bond your permanent crown, check your bite, and make any final adjustments

The entire process typically takes two to three hours. You'll leave with a permanent restoration that's ready for immediate use—no dietary restrictions or temporary crown worries.

CEREC Technology: Where Art Meets Precision

CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) represents the gold standard in same-day restoration systems, perfectly aligning with Dr. Mascagni's philosophy that dentistry is art. This technology combines precision digital scanning, sophisticated design software, and automated milling to create restorations that fit like puzzle pieces while maintaining natural beauty.

CEREC Technology Benefits:

• Diamond-coated precision milling for perfect fit
• Materials that rival natural enamel strength
• Translucency and color depth that make teeth look alive
• Decades of proven clinical results worldwide
• Comprehensive training and support network

Why We Chose CEREC Over Other Systems

While both CEREC and E4D systems offer same-day capabilities, CEREC has established itself as the more mature platform. We chose CEREC because it aligns with our values of integrity and excellence—longer development history, extensive material options, and proven results spanning decades ensure consistent outcomes for every patient we treat like family.

Same Day vs Traditional Crowns: The Real Difference

Traditional crown procedures stretch across multiple weeks and appointments—time away from work, family, and the activities you love. During your first visit, we prepare your tooth and place a temporary crown that's essentially a fragile placeholder prone to coming off and often uncomfortable. Your permanent restoration is fabricated in an outside laboratory, requiring a second appointment weeks later.

Same-day crowns eliminate this entire waiting period because we believe your time and comfort matter. You receive your permanent restoration immediately, avoiding the inconvenience and potential complications that temporary crowns often bring.

The differences between same-day and traditional crowns are significant across multiple aspects. Same-day crowns require only a single visit lasting 2-3 hours, while traditional crowns demand two separate appointments spanning 2-3 weeks. With same-day treatment, no temporary crown is needed; traditional procedures require a fragile temporary restoration between visits. Digital scanning replaces messy physical impressions, providing precise measurements without the distortion or air bubbles that can affect traditional impressions. This accuracy translates to better-fitting restorations that require fewer adjustments. From a practical standpoint, same-day crowns mean taking just one afternoon off work instead of two separate days, and you can eat normally immediately rather than avoiding sticky or hard foods for weeks while wearing a temporary crown.

Digital design and milling often produce better-fitting restorations than traditional impression-based methods. Physical impressions can distort or capture air bubbles; digital scans maintain perfect accuracy, resulting in crowns that require fewer adjustments and provide better long-term comfort—exactly what we want for our patients and families.

Crown Materials: Matching Art to Function

Dr. Mascagni's artistic background influences every material selection—we consider not just durability, but how light plays through the restoration, how it complements your facial features, and how it enhances your overall smile.

Same Day Crown Material Options

• Feldspathic porcelain: Excellent aesthetics for front teeth with natural translucency and color matching
• Lithium disilicate: Superior strength for back teeth while maintaining beautiful appearance
• Zirconia-reinforced ceramics: Maximum durability for heavy biters and grinders
• Hybrid ceramics: Optimal balance of strength and aesthetics for most situations

"Modern ceramic materials used in same-day restorations offer impressive strength characteristics while maintaining the light transmission properties that make teeth look alive—unlike metal alloys that sacrifice natural appearance."

Investment and Value: Transparent Pricing Philosophy

The investment in same-day restoration technology reflects sophisticated equipment and premium materials, but delivers significant value through time savings, reduced appointments, and elimination of temporary crown complications.

Insurance and Payment Options

Insurance Coverage

• Same rates as traditional crowns
• Delta Dental accepted
• BCBS, Aetna, UHC coverage
• Cigna and Metlife plans

Payment Solutions

• Flexible payment plans
• Multiple financing options
• Insurance benefit maximization
• Transparent cost discussions

Consider the total value equation: your time has worth, convenience has value, and avoiding multiple appointments means less disruption to work and family life. Many patients find single-visit treatment actually saves money when factoring in reduced time away from work.

Comfort-Focused Care: Our Promise to You

The same-day crown procedure involves no more discomfort than traditional crown treatment, but our approach to patient comfort goes beyond clinical aspects. We use local anesthesia to ensure complete comfort throughout tooth preparation; most patients report minimal sensitivity during and after the procedure.

Comfort Advantages of Same Day Crowns

• No temporary crown sensitivity: Avoid shifting, loosening, or temperature sensitivity
• Immediate protection: Permanent restoration provides optimal stability from day one
• Single appointment: No anxiety about returning for crown placement
• Gentle techniques: Our experienced team prioritizes your comfort throughout
• Sedation options: Available for anxious patients

Most patients are surprised by how comfortable and straightforward the same-day crown experience feels—many even fall asleep during the milling process because that's how we'd want to be treated.

Emergency Crown Solutions: When Life Doesn't Wait

Dental emergencies follow their own schedule, typically striking before important meetings, family gatherings, or vacations. When a crown breaks, falls out, or becomes damaged, same-day technology provides immediate solutions rather than leaving you vulnerable for weeks.

Crown Emergency? We're Here to Help

Our Little Rock practice maintains emergency availability because dental pain doesn't respect business hours.

Call immediately: (501) 312-7576

Emergency same-day crowns follow the same rigorous process as planned treatments: digital scanning, precise design, and careful milling ensure your replacement crown fits perfectly and functions normally from placement.

When Same Day Crowns May Not Be Right

While same-day crowns offer numerous advantages, our comprehensive approach means honestly discussing when other treatments might serve you better. Some situations benefit from alternative approaches that better match your specific needs and long-term goals.

For teeth with minimal damage, conservative options like inlays or onlays preserve more natural tooth structure while providing adequate protection. These partial coverage restorations work beautifully when the damage doesn't extend to multiple surfaces or compromise the tooth's structural integrity.

Front teeth requiring complex aesthetic work sometimes benefit from traditional lab-fabricated crowns or dental veneers, where specialized technicians can layer ceramics to achieve the most natural appearance possible. When your smile is the priority and time isn't critical, these options offer unmatched aesthetic potential.

Severely compromised teeth may require extraction and implant placement for the most predictable long-term solution. While this involves more time and investment, it often provides better outcomes than attempting to save a tooth with questionable prognosis.

Our experienced dentists evaluate your specific situation comprehensively, considering remaining tooth structure, bite forces, aesthetic requirements, and personal preferences. We'll help you make informed decisions based on what's truly best for your long-term oral health, just as we would for our own family members. Learn more about our comprehensive restorative dentistry services.

Experience the Arkansas Family Dental Difference

That damaged tooth isn't going to heal itself, and delaying treatment often leads to more complex problems down the road. Same-day crowns at Arkansas Family Dental offer a convenient, efficient solution that respects your busy schedule while delivering exceptional results—because that's what family does for each other.

Ready to Schedule Your Same Day Crown?

We believe everyone deserves to love their smile and feel confident in their dental health. When you choose Arkansas Family Dental, you're not just getting advanced technology; you're joining a practice where integrity, positivity, and generosity guide every decision we make.

Contact Information:

Phone: (501) 312-7576

Address: 13600 David O. Dodd, Little Rock

Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Contact Arkansas Family Dental today to experience the convenience and quality of same-day restoration technology with a team that truly treats you like family—leave our office with a complete, beautiful smile that's ready for anything life brings your way.