Same Day Ceramics
At City Spire Dental, our team of experienced prosthodontists revolutionizes restorative dentistry through our adjoining Same Day Ceramics laboratory. This in-house facility uses advanced CAD/CAM technology to design, fabricate, and deliver high-quality ceramic restorations while you wait. Instead of enduring multiple appointments and temporary restorations over several weeks, you receive your final crown, veneer, or bridge in a single visit.
Understanding Same Day Ceramics
Same day ceramics is a dental technology and workflow that allows dental laboratories to fabricate ceramic dental crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, and bridges in a single appointment using computer-aided design and manufacturing systems. The process relies on digital scanning to capture precise images of prepared teeth, specialized CAD software to design the restoration digitally, and computer-controlled milling machines that carve dental ceramic blocks into finished restorations.
The dental ceramic materials used include porcelain and zirconia compounds selected for their ability to replicate natural tooth translucency, color depth, and durability. These biocompatible materials withstand normal chewing forces while maintaining aesthetic properties that blend seamlessly with existing teeth. Same day ceramics technology has transformed restorative dentistry by condensing what traditionally required multiple appointments spanning two to three weeks into a single visit lasting just a few hours.


Benefits of Same Day Ceramics
Our Same Day Ceramics Process
Digital Scanning and Tooth Preparation
Our dentist begins by examining your tooth and discussing which type of ceramic restoration best addresses your needs. After administering local anesthesia for your comfort, any decay is carefully removed and the tooth is shaped to accommodate the restoration. We capture detailed digital images using an intraoral scanner that records thousands of data points in seconds, creating a three-dimensional model of your prepared tooth, adjacent teeth, and bite relationship.
Computer-Aided Design of Your Restoration
The digital scan data transfers immediately to our adjoining Same Day Ceramics laboratory for the design phase. Experienced ceramists use specialized CAD software to design your ceramic dental crown, veneer, or other restoration based on your unique anatomy. They analyze your tooth structure, bite pattern, and the specific functional demands to create an optimal design. The ceramist digitally sculpts the restoration’s contour to match your natural tooth shape and ensures proper contact with neighboring teeth.
Milling and Fabricating Your Ceramic Restoration
Once the digital design is finalized, the ceramist selects a dental ceramic block that matches your natural tooth shade. They load this block into one of our four precision milling machines, which then carves your restoration according to the exact specifications. The milling machine cuts away excess ceramic material with diamond-coated burs, gradually revealing your custom restoration in approximately 20 minutes. After milling completes, the ceramist performs hand-finishing work, smoothing edges, refining surface texture, and applying glaze.
Trial Fitting and Final Adjustments
Our ceramist brings your completed ceramic restoration to the treatment room. Our dentist places it on your prepared tooth to evaluate fit, contour, and shade match. They check that the restoration seats fully without gaps at the margins, verify that contact points with adjacent teeth feel natural, and confirm that your bite feels comfortable. Any aspect needing refinement receives immediate attention while you remain in the chair.
Permanent Bonding and Post-Treatment Care
After all adjustments are complete and you approve the appearance of your new ceramic dental crown or veneer, our dentist prepares both your natural tooth structure and the ceramic restoration for permanent bonding. They apply bonding agents that create a strong connection between the dental ceramic and your tooth, then carefully position the restoration and use a specialized curing light to harden the adhesive. You receive specific instructions on caring for your new restoration and leave with your permanent restoration securely in place.
Why Choose Us for Same Day Ceramics
Our approach to ceramic dental crowns and restorations centers on the physical proximity of our laboratory to the treatment chairs. Our board-certified prosthodontists work directly with ceramists throughout your appointment, allowing for real-time collaboration and immediate adjustments while you’re still seated to ensure optimal fit and aesthetics.
Our four milling units and 3D printer handle multiple dental ceramic restorations simultaneously. We offer flexible scheduling six days per week, including extended evening hours and early morning appointments to accommodate your busy schedule. Our team combines advanced prosthodontic training with master ceramist expertise, bringing over 45 years of collective experience in dental technology to every restoration we create.
Our Same Day Ceramics Team
FAQs
How long do ceramic crowns last?
Ceramic dental crowns typically last 10 to 15 years with proper care, though many patients enjoy their restorations for 20 years or longer with excellent oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. The longevity of your ceramic crown depends on factors including the location of the tooth, your bite forces, grinding or clenching habits, and how well you care for the restoration through brushing and flossing. Avoiding habits like chewing ice or using your teeth as tools helps maximize the lifespan of your ceramic restoration.
What ceramic-like substance covers the crown of a tooth?
Enamel is the ceramic-like substance that naturally covers the crown of a tooth, serving as the hard, protective outer layer. This highly mineralized tissue is the hardest substance in the human body and provides exceptional durability against chewing forces and protection against decay. Dental ceramics used in restorations are specifically designed to replicate enamel’s unique properties, including its strength, translucency, and appearance, making ceramic crowns an ideal replacement when natural enamel is damaged or compromised.
Are ceramic and porcelain veneers the same?
Ceramic and porcelain veneers are essentially the same, as porcelain is a type of dental ceramic material used to create veneers. The terms are often used interchangeably in dentistry because porcelain falls under the broader category of ceramic materials. Both offer excellent aesthetics with natural translucency, stain resistance, and durability that closely mimics natural tooth enamel for beautiful, long-lasting results.
Why are ceramic crowns best for front teeth?
Ceramic crowns are ideal for front teeth because they replicate the natural translucency and light-reflecting properties of tooth enamel better than any other restoration material. They can be color-matched precisely to your surrounding teeth, ensuring a seamless, undetectable appearance. Ceramic crowns contain no metal components that might create dark lines at the gumline or show through in certain lighting, making them the most aesthetic choice for visible front teeth where appearance matters most.
What is a dental ceramic?
A dental ceramic is a tooth-colored material used to create crowns, veneers, inlays, onlays, and bridges that replicate the appearance and function of natural tooth enamel. These advanced materials are composed of refined porcelain or zirconia compounds that can be milled, pressed, or layered to achieve exceptional strength and aesthetics. Dental ceramics are biocompatible, stain-resistant, and durable enough to withstand normal chewing forces while maintaining a natural translucency that blends seamlessly with your existing teeth.

Let Us Efficiently Restore Your Smile With Same Day Ceramics
Our team has refined same day ceramics at City Spire Dental to deliver ceramic dental crowns, veneers, and bridges that meet the highest standards for fit, function, and aesthetics. Our Midtown Manhattan location at 156 West 56th Street, Suite 903, combines the convenience of single-appointment restorations with the quality you’d expect from a practice housing two board-certified prosthodontists and an on-site laboratory staffed by experienced ceramists.
Call 212.246.8700 or text 646.374.1242 to schedule your consultation. You can find us on Google Maps to read patient reviews about their same day ceramics experiences, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok to see transformations and learn more about how our in-house laboratory delivers porcelain restorations.
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