The Modern Dental Experience
For decades, getting a dental crown meant enduring a tray filled with thick, gooey putty pressed against your teeth. The taste was unpleasant, and the sensation often triggered a strong gag reflex. Many patients dreaded that single step enough to delay care.
Digital 3D scanning has changed that entirely. A small, comfortable wand is moved gently around the mouth, capturing thousands of detailed images per second. Advanced software stitches these images into a precise 3D model, which serves as the blueprint for your restoration. The entire scan takes only a few minutes, and patients can breathe and swallow normally throughout the process.
The shift from messy molds to digital scans brings two major benefits: exceptional comfort and unmatched precision. The high-resolution model captures every contour of the tooth with accuracy down to a fraction of a millimeter [source: PMC study]. This precision reduces the need for adjustments and helps ensure the crown fits securely from day one.
Best Choice Dental uses this technology as part of its family-oriented, patient-focused approach. Dr. Gryzmolowicz (Dr. G) has served the Totowa community for over 20 years, integrating advanced tools with gentle, personalized care. For patients who have postponed treatment due to anxiety or discomfort, digital scanning removes a significant barrier.
How Intraoral Scanners Work
An intraoral scanner is a small, wand-like device that replaces the traditional tray of putty with a gentle beam of light. The dentist or hygienist simply moves the wand around your teeth, and the scanner captures thousands of images every second. Advanced software then stitches those images together into an incredibly detailed 3D model of your entire mouth.
This digital model appears on a screen in real time, letting you see exactly what the dentist sees. Because there is no gooey material involved, you can breathe and swallow normally throughout the scan, with no unpleasant tastes or gagging. At Best Choice Dental, patients often comment on how quick and relaxed the process feels compared to old-fashioned impressions.
The accuracy of these scans has been confirmed by research. A 2024 in-vitro study found that high-end scanners produced crown margins with gaps as small as 0.06 mm well within the clinically acceptable range of under 200 microns source. This level of precision means your crown fits better from the start, reducing the need for adjustments later.
From Scan to Crown in One Visit
The journey from a damaged tooth to a fully restored crown now fits into a single appointment thanks to digital workflows. After preparing the tooth, your dentist uses an intraoral scanner to capture a highly detailed 3D model of your teeth and bite. The digital file is sent to computer-aided design (CAD) software, where the crown is custom-designed to match your natural tooth shape and color. This design is then sent to an in-office milling unit that fabricates the crown from a solid block of ceramic or zirconia in about 15 to 45 minutes.
Patients no longer need temporary crowns or a second visit. Best Choice Dental uses advanced CEREC technology same-day crown procedure to complete the entire procedure, from scan to final placement, in under two hours. This reduces chair time, requires only one round of anesthetic, and delivers a permanent restoration immediately. The crowns are milled from durable bioceramic or zirconia blocks, which provide strength and a natural-looking translucency.
Because the digital scan is accurate to fractions of a millimeter, the crown fits precisely, reducing the need for adjustments and ensuring long-term comfort. The result is a restoration that looks and feels like a natural tooth, all in a single visit.
Why Digital Crowns Fit Better and Last Longer
A crown's lifespan depends heavily on how well it fits against the tooth. When a crown has gaps or uneven edges, plaque accumulates around the margin, increasing the risk of secondary decay and gum irritation. A study comparing digital workflows found that a marginal gap under 0.2 mm is considered clinically acceptable — and the best combinations of scanner and material achieved a mean gap of just 0.06 mm ± 0.02 mm. That level of precision is difficult to match with traditional impressions.
Traditional putty molds can distort during setting, shipping, or removal, introducing air bubbles and dimensional errors that lead to poor fit. Digital scans eliminate those variables entirely. The high-resolution 3D model captures every contour of the prepared tooth, allowing the dentist to verify margins and angles on screen before the crown is ever milled or printed.
A precisely fitted crown rests evenly against adjacent teeth, distributing chewing forces without creating pressure points. Patients experience less post-operative sensitivity because margins are sealed tightly against the tooth structure, reducing bacterial leakage and thermal irritation. An accurate contact point also prevents food trapping that can inflame gums over time.
Because digital scans capture sub-millimeter detail and are processed by computer-aided design software, adjustments at delivery are rare. Fewer bite tweaks and polish appointments mean the restoration stays intact longer without weakening from repeated modification. At Best Choice Dental, intraoral scanning forms the foundation for every digital crown workflow, giving patients restorations that feel natural from the first moment and hold up to years of daily function.
Zirconia and 3D Printed Crowns
Today's patients have access to dental crown materials that combine strength with lifelike beauty. Zirconia crowns, made from zirconium dioxide, offer exceptional durability (ideal for molars) while maintaining natural translucency that mimics real enamel. Because they are metal-free and biocompatible, they reduce the risk of allergic reactions and gum irritation. This material also requires minimal tooth reduction compared to porcelain-fused-to-metal options.
For patients who want a same-day restoration created with cutting-edge precision, 3D printed crowns use digital impressions from an intraoral scanner to fabricate the crown in-office using additive manufacturing. The process produces a custom-fit crown in under an hour, eliminating the need for temporary restorations. The cost for a 3D printed crown typically ranges from $500 to $1,500, with the price reflecting the dentist's investment in advanced scanning and printing technology.
At Best Choice Dental, Dr. Gryzmolowicz evaluates each patient's needs and recommends either a milled zirconia crown or a 3D printed restoration — both available as same-day solutions at our Totowa office. This tailored approach ensures your crown fits precisely, feels natural, and supports long-term oral health without unnecessary follow-up visits.
Patient Comfort at Every Step
One of the most immediate benefits patients notice with digital 3D scanning is the elimination of discomfort. Traditional putty impressions often trigger gagging, leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and cause anxiety for those who dread the dental chair. An intraoral scanner replaces that entire experience with a small wand gliding gently around the teeth.
The scan takes only a few minutes. There is no waiting for material to harden, and patients can breathe and swallow normally throughout the process. For those with sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, or dental anxiety, this change alone makes crown appointments far less stressful.
Children also tolerate digital scanning well because it is quick and non-invasive. At Best Choice Dental, parents find that their kids stay calm during the scan — no gooey trays or long waits that provoke fidgeting or fear.
Another comfort advantage is the real-time display. As the dentist scans, a 3D model of your teeth appears on a screen beside you. Seeing exactly what the dentist sees turns an abstract procedure into something you can understand and feel confident about.
Efficiency That Saves You Time
Digital scanning streamlines the entire crown process, cutting the treatment timeline from multiple weeks to a single appointment. After the intraoral wand captures the tooth, the digital file is sent instantly to an in-office milling or 3D-printing unit — no shipping delays or second impressions. At Best Choice Dental, this same-day workflow means patients receive a fully finished restoration in about an hour.
A single-visit crown eliminates temporary restorations entirely. Patients avoid the inconvenience of a temporary that can fall out or restrict diet, and they typically need only one round of local anesthetic rather than separate injections for a preparation appointment and a seating appointment.
Fewer follow-up visits also translate into real time and cost savings. A crown designed from an accurate digital impression is less likely to require bite adjustments or remakes, reducing chair time and travel for the patient. The streamlined approach produces less physical waste because no impression materials or plaster models are needed, making it an eco-friendlier option than traditional methods.
Insurance and Payment Options
Best Choice Dental accepts a wide range of dental insurance plans to help make quality care accessible for your family. They work with many major providers, including Delta Dental, and are committed to verifying your specific benefits before treatment.
Because coverage options can change, it’s always best to contact the practice directly or visit the website for the most current list of accepted insurers. The friendly team is happy to check your plan and answer any questions about out-of-pocket costs.
The practice strives to maximize your benefits so you can focus on achieving a healthy, confident smile. For those without insurance, a $99 special offer may be available, and credit cards are accepted.
Experience the Difference at Best Choice Dental
Digital 3D scanning has transformed the dental crown experience. What once required messy putty, multiple appointments, and temporary restorations can now be completed in a single, comfortable visit. The precision of intraoral scanners ensures crowns fit accurately the first time, reducing the need for adjustments and supporting long-term oral health.
At Best Choice Dental in Totowa, NJ, this technology is part of a family-oriented approach that prioritizes your comfort and time. Dr. Gryzmolowicz and the team use advanced digital tools to craft restorations that look natural and feel secure, helping patients of all ages return to their daily routines with confidence.
Ready to see how modern dentistry can work for you? Schedule a visit to enjoy the benefits of precise digital scans and same-day crown solutions.