A sudden crack when biting down, an unexpected chip from a fall, or a throbbing pain revealing a fractured tooth, dental emergencies are unsettling, painful, and always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. Your first thought is likely, “What do I do now?” followed quickly by, “How long will I have to wait to fix this?”

If you’re searching for an emergency dentist with same-day crowns in Sterling, VA, you’ve already found the ideal solution. At Lake Center Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that a dental emergency deserves an immediate, permanent, and comfortable resolution. Gone are the days of temporary fixes and multiple appointments. The gold standard for emergency tooth restoration is here: same-day CEREC crowns.
The Panic of a Broken Tooth: More Than Just Pain
A broken tooth isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it’s a threat to your oral health. Understanding what’s happening inside your tooth can highlight the urgency of treatment.
- The Dentin Dilemma: Beneath the hard outer enamel lies a softer layer called dentin. Once a break exposes the dentin, bacteria from your mouth can infiltrate the tooth, leading to rapid decay and sensitivity.
- Pulp Peril: Deeper fractures can reach the tooth’s pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels. This causes significant pain and can lead to a serious infection or abscess if left untreated.
- Structural Weakness: A cracked tooth is a compromised tooth. Without its full structural integrity, it can fracture further with normal chewing, potentially leading to a loss that is impossible to repair.
The traditional response to this emergency often involved a multi-visit ordeal. But what if you could bypass all that?
The Old Way vs. The New Way: A Dental Revolution
To appreciate the innovation of same-day crowns, it’s important to understand the drawbacks of the traditional method.
The Traditional Crown (2+ Visits):
- Visit 1: The damaged tooth is prepared (shaved down). A messy, putty-like impression is taken of your mouth.
- The Wait: A temporary crown is placed, a fragile, ill-fitting placeholder that requires you to avoid sticky or hard foods.
- The Lab: The impression is sent to an off-site dental lab, where a technician fabricates the permanent crown. This process takes two to three weeks.
- Visit 2: The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent one is tried in and cemented. This requires another round of numbing and another appointment to schedule.
The Lake Center Smiles Way: Same-Day CEREC Crowns (1 Visit)
At our Sterling, VA dental practice, Dr. Amear Tadros utilizes CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology. This system allows us to design, mill, and place a permanent, custom-fitted, all-ceramic crown in a single, convenient visit.
Why Same-Day Crowns Are the Ultimate Emergency Dental Fix
When you have a broken tooth, you need a solution that is fast, strong, and aesthetically pleasing. Same-day crowns deliver on all fronts, making them the undisputed best choice for an emergency restoration.
1. Immediate Protection and Peace of Mind
The most significant advantage in an emergency is the immediate protection of your tooth. Instead of leaving our office with a temporary crown that could break or fall off, you walk out with a permanent, bonded restoration. The risk of further damage or infection is virtually eliminated the same day you come in.
2. Unmatched Convenience for Your Busy Life
We value your time. Dr. Tadros and our team are committed to being punctual, and same-day crowns align perfectly with this philosophy. You only need one appointment, which typically lasts about two hours. No second visit, no taking more time off work, and no need to arrange childcare again.
3. Superior Comfort and Fit
The digital process is far more comfortable than traditional methods. We use a state-of-the-art intraoral scanner to create a perfect 3D digital model of your tooth. This eliminates the need for uncomfortable, gag-inducing impression trays and messy putty. The result is a crown with a precision fit that is difficult to achieve with manual impressions, ensuring better long-term health for your tooth and gums.
4. Aesthetic Excellence That Matches Your Smile
CEREC crowns are milled from a single, high-quality block of ceramic. This material is not only incredibly strong but also highly translucent, mimicking the light-reflecting properties of your natural tooth enamel. Dr. Tadros, with his focus on aesthetic services, expertly shades and characterizes your crown so it blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, often creating a result that is even more beautiful than your original tooth.
5. Biocompatible and Durable Strength
The ceramic used in CEREC crowns is completely biocompatible, meaning it’s safe for your body and won’t cause allergic reactions. It’s also bonded to your tooth structure with high-strength adhesive, creating a monolithic unit that is exceptionally durable and can withstand the forces of chewing for years to come.
The Lake Center Smiles Difference: Your Trusted Sterling, VA Emergency Dentist
When you choose us as your emergency dentist with same-day crowns, you’re not just getting advanced technology; you’re getting a team that genuinely cares about your well-being.
- Compassionate, Same-Day Emergency Care: We understand the anxiety of a dental emergency. That’s why we prioritize same-day emergency treatments to get you out of pain and back to your life quickly.
- Expertise You Can Trust: Dr. Amear Tadros, a Washingtonian Best Dentist (2023) and Virginia Living Top Dentist (2022), combines his advanced training with a gentle, patient-centered approach. He listens to your concerns and ensures your treatment plan, whether for preventive care or a cosmetic emergency, is tailored specifically to you.
- A Focus on Preserving Your Tooth: Our philosophy at Lake Center Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is always to retain the structure of your natural tooth as much as possible. A same-day crown is the ultimate embodiment of this goal, preserving the healthy root and core of your tooth while restoring its form and function permanently.
Conclusion: Don’t Endure a Broken Tooth—Transform It
A dental emergency can feel like a setback, but with modern technology and a compassionate team, it can be transformed into an opportunity to restore and even enhance your smile. Waiting with a temporary fix is an outdated and unnecessary burden.
If you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, don’t spend another day in discomfort or worrying about the damage getting worse.
Contact Lake Center Family & Cosmetic Dentistry immediately at 703.214.0291 or visit us at 46090 Lake Center Plaza Suite 202 Sterling, VA 20165. Our friendly staff will arrange your prompt emergency visit. Let Dr. Tadros and our team provide you with the fastest, strongest, and most comfortable solution available. Walk in with a dental emergency and walk out the same day with a permanently restored, confident smile.
FAQs
How long does a same-day crown procedure take?
The entire process, from preparation to final placement, is typically completed in about two hours. You can arrive with a broken tooth and leave the same afternoon with a permanent crown.
Are same-day crowns as strong as lab-made crowns?
Yes, and in many cases, they are stronger. Because they are milled from a solid block of high-grade ceramic and bonded directly to your tooth, they form an incredibly durable unit. Traditional lab-made crowns are often layered, which can be a point of weakness.
What should I do if I break a tooth after hours?
If you are experiencing severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, please seek immediate medical attention at an urgent care center or emergency room. For a broken tooth without severe pain, you can call our Sterling office at 703.214.0291 and leave a message. We will contact you first thing in the morning to schedule a same-day emergency appointment.
Do you offer financing for emergency dental treatments like crowns?
Yes, we do. We listen to our patients’ concerns, including financial ones. We work with you to finance your treatment and offer a family dental plan and office specials to make quality care accessible.
I’m a nervous patient. How do you handle dental anxiety?
Dr. Tadros and our entire team are dedicated to making each visit pleasant and rewarding. We take the time to listen to your fears, explain every step of the process, and ensure you are completely comfortable. Our use of comfortable digital scanners and efficient same-day treatment helps significantly reduce dental anxiety by minimizing time in the chair and eliminating the need for multiple visits.