Milling Unit

What is a Milling Unit? (The Machine That Creates Your Same-Day Crown)

You’ve just been told you need a crown. In the past, this meant preparing for a multi-week process: the initial appointment to prepare the tooth, a messy impression, wearing a fragile temporary crown for two to three weeks (and hoping it doesn’t fall off), and finally, a second appointment to get the final crown fitted.

Our in-office Milling Unit makes that entire ordeal a thing of the past.

This remarkable machine is the heart of our same-day crown technology. Think of it as a highly precise, robotic sculptor for your teeth. After we take a clean, comfortable digital scan of your tooth, we design your custom crown on a computer. Then, we send that 3D design to our milling unit, which expertly carves your permanent crown from a solid block of high-quality ceramic—often in less than 20 minutes.

How In-Office Milling Transforms Your Dental Visit

The presence of a milling unit in our office isn't about showing off technology; it's about fundamentally improving your experience and the quality of your care.

• You Get Your Crown in a Single Visit: This is the most significant benefit. No repeat visits, no taking extra time off work, and no second round of getting numb. You walk in with a damaged tooth and walk out with a permanent, beautiful restoration.
• You Can Say Goodbye to the Temporary Crown: Temporary crowns are notoriously problematic. They can feel bulky, look unnatural, and often come with a list of foods you can't eat. Worst of all, they can fall off at the most inconvenient times. Our process eliminates the temporary crown completely.
• It's a Fascinating Process: Patients love being able to see their own tooth being created. We’ll show you the design on the screen and you can watch through the glass as the milling unit’s diamond burs carve your specific restoration. It’s a transparent process that puts you at the center of your own care.
• A Perfect, Digitally-Driven Fit: The entire workflow—from the iTero digital scan to the computer-aided design to the robotic milling—is one seamless digital process. This eliminates many of the variables and potential distortions of physical impressions and models, resulting in a crown that fits with microscopic precision.

Is a Milled Crown as Good as a Lab-Made One?

This is a question we get all the time, and the answer is a resounding yes. We use the exact same advanced materials—like lithium disilicate (e.max) and zirconia—that the best dental labs use. For the vast majority of cases, especially for posterior teeth, a single-visit crown is not only more convenient but its precision-milled fit is second to none.

The only exception? For a highly complex front tooth that requires the ultimate level of artistic hand-layering and custom staining, we may still collaborate with a master lab ceramist. Our priority is always the best possible result for your specific situation.

Here's what we want you to remember:

A milling unit isn't just a piece of equipment; it's our commitment to respecting your time. This technology allows us to deliver a permanent, high-quality, perfectly-fitting crown in a single visit, eliminating the hassles of temporary crowns and multiple appointments.

Every patient's situation is unique.

While same-day crowns are a fantastic option for most people, some complex cases may require a different approach. That's why we always evaluate your specific needs to determine the best and most efficient path to a healthy, restored tooth.

Have questions about same-day crowns?

Or wondering if you're a candidate for a single-visit restoration? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.