Key Takeaways
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Lone Mountain Dental uses CEREC technology to design, mill, and place a permanent crown in a single visit — no temporary crown, no second appointment.
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Digital scans replace messy impression trays, and the milling machine crafts your crown on-site while you wait comfortably.
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Dr. Godfrey, DMD customizes every CEREC crown to match the shape and shade of your surrounding teeth for a completely natural look.
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Most same-day crown appointments take about 2–3 hours from start to finish, and patients typically return to normal activities the same day.
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Call Lone Mountain Dental or book online to find out if a same-day CEREC crown is right for you.
What Is a Dental Crown & Why You Might Need One
Think of a dental crown as a custom-fitted cap that slips over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. When a tooth has been weakened — by a large cavity, a crack, worn enamel, or a root canal — a crown holds everything together and lets you chew comfortably again without risking further damage or extraction.
At Lone Mountain Dental, Dr. Godfrey recommends crowns for a range of situations: teeth with decay too extensive for a filling, teeth that have cracked under pressure, teeth that have been broken, and teeth that need full coverage after root canal treatment. Today’s crowns are typically tooth-colored ceramic, so they blend naturally with surrounding teeth rather than announcing themselves with a flash of metal.
We offer both traditional lab-made crowns and CEREC same-day crowns. For most patients, the same-day option is the clear choice — and the rest of this guide explains exactly why.
What Is CEREC & How Do Same-Day Crowns Work?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. In plain terms, it’s an advanced CAD/CAM system that allows Dr. Godfrey to design and mill a permanent ceramic crown right here in our office — no dental lab, no waiting two weeks, no temporary crown holding the place.
Here’s what makes it possible. Instead of pressing gooey impression material around your teeth, we use a small CEREC camera to capture precise 3D digital scans of the prepared tooth. Those scans feed directly into design software, where Dr. Godfrey shapes your custom crown on-screen to match your bite and the natural contours of your surrounding teeth. Once the design is finalized, a milling unit in the office carves the crown from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic — typically in about 15 minutes. The result is a precisely fitted, permanent restoration ready to be bonded in place the same day.
No lab. No second appointment. No temporary crown that can come loose over a two-week wait.
The Same-Day Crown Appointment at Lone Mountain Dental: Step-by-Step
Knowing what to expect makes the whole experience easier. Here’s how a typical same-day crown visit unfolds at our northwest Las Vegas office:
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Exam and X-rays. Dr. Godfrey examines the tooth, reviews digital X-rays, and confirms that a crown is the right solution. He’ll walk you through the plan before anything begins.
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Tooth preparation. The tooth is numbed with local anesthesia so you stay comfortable throughout. Dr. Godfrey shapes the tooth so the crown will fit properly and feel natural.
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Digital scanning. Instead of traditional impressions, a CEREC camera captures accurate 3D images of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth — fast, comfortable, and precise.
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Crown design. Dr. Godfrey customizes the digital crown design chairside, adjusting the shape and contour to match your bite and neighboring teeth.
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On-site milling. While you relax — read a magazine, scroll your phone, or simply rest — the milling unit carves your crown from a ceramic block in roughly 15 minutes.
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Try-in and bonding. Dr. Godfrey checks the fit and shade, makes any final adjustments, then permanently bonds your new crown in place.
From start to finish, most same-day crown appointments take about 2–3 hours. A significant portion of that time is passive — you’re simply waiting comfortably while the technology does its work. Many patients head back to work or home the same afternoon.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns with CEREC in Las Vegas
The appeal of same-day crowns comes down to convenience, comfort, and quality — and CEREC delivers on all three.
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Benefit |
Why it matters |
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Time savings |
The most obvious benefit is the one patients appreciate most: you walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out with a permanent crown. No scheduling a second appointment, no arranging more time away from work, no second round of anesthesia. |
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No Temporary Crown |
Traditional crowns require a temporary restoration to protect the tooth while the permanent one is made in a lab. Temporaries can feel awkward, crack, or come loose — and they’re just a placeholder. CEREC skips that step entirely. |
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Better comfort |
With same-day crowns, patients do not have to wear temporary crowns, which can be uncomfortable and may shift or crack before the permanent crown is placed. |
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Computer-Guided Precision |
CAD/CAM design and milling produces a highly accurate fit, which translates to better comfort and long-term durability. Dr. Godfrey refines the digital design to match your specific bite and tooth anatomy — not a generic template. |
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Natural-Looking Results |
CEREC crowns are milled from tooth-colored ceramic that reflects light similarly to natural enamel. Dr. Godfrey shade-matches your crown to surrounding teeth so the restoration blends in seamlessly. Most patients — and most people looking at them — can’t tell which tooth has a crown. |
The ceramic material used in same-day crowns is shade-matched to the surrounding teeth, ensuring that the restoration blends in with the patient’s smile. CEREC crowns reflect light in a similar way to natural enamel, which contributes to their life like appearance and makes them indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a CEREC Same-Day Crown?
Most patients needing a crown are excellent candidates for the same-day option. CEREC works particularly well for teeth with moderate to heavy damage, large failing fillings, cracks requiring full coverage, and teeth that have undergone root canal therapy. It can typically be used on molars, premolars, and many front teeth depending on the bite and cosmetic considerations.
In a small number of cases — very deep fractures, unusual bite forces, or specific cosmetic requests — a traditional lab-made crown may still be the better clinical choice. Dr. Godfrey evaluates every situation individually and will always recommend what’s right for your specific tooth, not simply what’s fastest.
The best way to find out if a same-day CEREC crown is right for you is to schedule a consultation at Lone Mountain Dental. We’ll examine the tooth, review your options, and give you a clear picture of what to expect before anything begins.
What Do CEREC Crowns Cost & Will Insurance Help?
Cost is one of the first questions patients ask, and it’s a fair one. Dental crowns in Las Vegas are typically a four-figure investment per tooth, with the final amount varying based on the tooth’s location, the complexity of the case, and materials used. The important thing to know is that at Lone Mountain Dental, CEREC same-day crowns are generally comparable in cost to traditional lab-made crowns — the same-day technology isn’t a premium upcharge, it’s simply a better process.
Most PPO dental insurance plans cover crowns similarly whether they’re made chairside or in a lab, typically at 50–80% of the cost when deemed medically necessary. We accept most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental. Our team will verify your benefits, provide a written estimate of any out-of-pocket costs, and walk you through your options before treatment begins — no surprises.
If you need help spreading out the cost, flexible financing options are available. Quality dental care should be accessible, and we’re happy to help find an approach that fits your budget.
Caring for Your New Same-Day Crown
The good news about CEREC crown care: it’s essentially the same as caring for a natural tooth. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss carefully around the crown to keep the gum line healthy, and keep up with your regular cleanings and checkups at Lone Mountain Dental so Dr. Godfrey can monitor the crown, your bite, and surrounding teeth over time.
A few habits to avoid: chewing ice, biting fingernails, or using your teeth to open packaging. These can put stress on any crown — same-day or traditional. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a custom night guard is worth discussing; it can significantly extend the life of your crown and protect your natural teeth at the same time.
With proper care, well-made ceramic crowns regularly last 10–15 years or more. Longevity comes down to oral hygiene, bite forces, and keeping those regular appointments.
Why Las Vegas Patients Choose Lone Mountain Dental for Same-Day Crowns
Lone Mountain Dental has been a trusted name in Northwest Las Vegas for years — and our patients notice the difference. Dr. Godfrey earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and brings a precision-first approach shaped in part by his background at the Air Force Academy. That combination of advanced clinical training and genuine care for the Las Vegas community shows in every appointment.
With more than 700+ Google reviews and recognition as a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite in six Las Vegas neighborhoods, the trust patients place in our practice isn’t something we take lightly. We’ve built that reputation one honest conversation and one well-done restoration at a time.
When it comes to same-day crowns specifically, the experience matters as much as the technology. CEREC in the hands of an experienced dentist produces better results than the equipment alone ever could. Dr. Godfrey personally designs and oversees every crown, and our team walks you through each step so there are no surprises — just a strong, natural-looking restoration you can leave with the same day.
Our office at 4818 W Lone Mountain Rd serves patients from across Las Vegas and the surrounding communities of Northwest Las Vegas, Centennial Hills, Aliante, and beyond. We’re open Tuesday evenings until 7pm for patients who can’t take time off during the day.
Ready to Fix Your Tooth in Just One Visit?
If you have a broken, cracked, or weakened tooth, you don’t have to put it off or block out two appointments on your calendar. At Lone Mountain Dental, many patients come in with a damaged tooth and leave the same day with a strong, natural-looking permanent crown — no temporaries, no return trips, no unnecessary waiting.
Call us at (702) 710-0239 to schedule your appointment, or book online any time. We’d love to help you get back to smiling, eating, and talking comfortably — in just one visit.
Lone Mountain Dental
4818 W Lone Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89130
(702) 710-0239
Frequently Asked Questions About CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Most appointments at Lone Mountain Dental take about 2–3 hours from start to finish, covering numbing, tooth preparation, digital scanning, milling, and bonding. A significant portion of that time is passive — you’re simply relaxing while the crown is being designed and milled, not sitting through active treatment. Most patients are back to their normal routine the same afternoon.
Yes, for most patients and situations. CEREC crowns are milled from high-quality ceramic materials comparable in strength to many traditional lab-made porcelain crowns. With proper oral hygiene, regular checkups, and a well-adjusted bite, many CEREC crowns last 10–15 years or longer — right in line with traditional crowns.
Absolutely. Dr. Godfrey shade-matches and shapes each crown to complement your surrounding teeth — not a generic mold. The ceramic material reflects light in a way that closely mimics natural enamel, and most people won’t be able to tell which tooth has a crown once treatment is complete.
The tooth and surrounding area are numbed with local anesthesia before any work begins, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Some mild soreness or sensitivity in the days following is normal as the area settles. If discomfort doesn’t improve or the bite feels off, call us — Dr. Godfrey can check the fit and make any needed adjustments quickly.
In many cases, yes. A loose or lost crown can often be replaced with a new CEREC crown in a single visit, depending on the condition of the remaining tooth structure. Dr. Godfrey will take an X-ray to assess the tooth and root before recommending next steps. If you’ve lost a crown, don’t wait — the exposed tooth needs protection as soon as possible. Call (702) 655-9533 and we’ll get you in promptly.
Dr. Godfrey
Dr. Godfrey is from Reno, Nevada, and is excited to expand his professional roots here in Las Vegas. After finishing his business degree at Brigham Young University, he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Godfrey completed a residency program with the Air Force Academy, where he gained additional knowledge and hands-on experience with oral and IV sedation, implant restorations and placement, endodontics, and aesthetic dentistry.
