When you’re told you need a crown, you might find the thought of waiting a week or two frustrating. However, taking the time to wait for custom-made dental crowns from an experienced dental lab is often best for your smile and bite. At Morristown Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re dedicated to providing quality treatments that benefit your smile long-term, not quick solutions that only last a while. When you compare a high‑strength zirconia crown produced by a dedicated dental lab versus an in‑house CEREC crown, the differences in aesthetics, durability, and custom fit become very real.
Aesthetics: Look, Feel & Natural Integration
One of the most visible factors in a crown’s success is how well it blends in with your natural teeth. Lab‑fabricated high‑strength zirconia crowns are often crafted with much more attention to shade matching, translucency gradients, and surface texture. Zirconia crowns in modern labs can be layered or finished to mimic the light‑reflecting properties and depth of natural enamel.
In contrast, a same‑day in‑house CEREC crown is often milled, polished and placed within the same visit. That rapid workflow may seem convenient. However, the block materials and milling limitations can mean fewer shade options, less nuanced translucency, and simplified finishing. Dr. Gittleman believes that for highly visible front‑teeth restorations, lab‑fabricated crowns maintain the edge in quality cosmetic finishes.
Durability: Strength & Longevity
Durability is perhaps the most compelling reason to wait for a lab crown. High‑strength zirconia, especially when processed in a high‑quality lab environment, offers exceptional mechanical performance. For instance, zirconia crowns have flexural strengths reportedly between 900‑1200 MPa. That’s roughly two to three times that of many porcelain ceramics. That means they’re better equipped to withstand the repeated chewing forces and grinding stresses of everyday use, especially in molars.
With in‑house CEREC crowns, there are practical constraints, such as shorter fabrication time, fewer finishing steps, and sometimes different material specifications. While CEREC crowns may be strong, they may still be more prone to chipping or cracking under extreme conditions (for example bruxism) compared to premium lab crowns. If your tooth is under heavy bite pressure, you grind your teeth, or the restoration is in a challenging location, waiting for the lab‑manufactured, high‑strength crown often pays off in the long term.
Custom Fit: Precision, Margins & Adaptation
A well‑fitted crown means better marginal integrity (the seal between the tooth and crown), less risk of leakage or decay, and greater comfort. Lab‑fabricated crowns benefit from specialized technicians, sintering ovens, detailed finishing, and sometimes improved adjustment protocols. The quality control in a dental lab is typically higher, and micro‑gaps can be minimized. For example, zirconia crowns manufactured in dedicated labs show marginal gaps less than 50 micrometers, which is very good by dental standards. By contrast, in‑house same‑day crowns are constrained by the in‑office workflow. They require scanning, milling, polishing and placement all in a single visit. While that could be efficient, it may limit the level of finishing, sintering time, and detailed adjustment.
Dr. Gittleman believes in providing his patients with quality crowns that are made with care and dedication. Waiting an extra week for a lab crown means leaving with a temporary crown now and returning for placement later. However, you end up with a restoration that fits more precisely and lasts longer with fewer tweaks or adjustments. Lab crowns also help reduce future issues like micro‑leakage or crown loosening.
Quality Dental Crown Treatment in Morristown, NJ
If you have extensive decay or damage, a dental crown could restore your tooth and prevent the need for an extraction. At Morristown Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe in quality over quickness. We only use high-strength zirconia crowns custom-made by a professional dental lab. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the benefits of high-quality restorative treatments.