AQUA Technology · Equipment

Same-day crowns and veneers.

Planmeca · Finland

The Planmeca PlanMill 30 S CAD/CAM milling unit at AQUA Dent Clinics in Jeddah fabricates crowns, veneers, and abutments from zirconia and ceramic blocks in 15-20 minutes. A complete digital workflow: scan, design, mill, seat — all in a single visit.

How does in-office milling work?

The complete digital chain in 4 steps inside a single clinic:

Digital scan (5 minutes) — on the Emerald S or TRIOS 5, to create a 3D model of your teeth
Digital design (10 minutes) — in Planmeca Romexis, the dentist designs the ideal crown matching occlusion and anatomy
Milling (15-20 minutes) — the PlanMill 30 S mills the crown from a zirconia or ceramic block with ±25 μm accuracy
Seating (5 minutes) — fit-check and bonding

Total: 35-40 minutes for a complete crown in a single visit. Versus 7-14 days waiting for a traditional outside laboratory.

Why specifically the PlanMill 30 S?

5-axis rotation — enables complex shapes impossible for 4-axis units
±25 μm accuracy — a fit margin that rivals the world's top dental laboratories
Wet milling — water cooling preserves block accuracy and reduces micro-cracking
Native Romexis integration — no manual file conversion, no precision loss between programs
Multiple materials — zirconia, lithium disilicate ceramic, composite, PMMA for provisionals

When are same-day crowns appropriate?

In-office milling is appropriate for:

Single anterior and posterior crowns
Single or multiple veneers
Custom implant abutments
Zirconia inlays and onlays
Provisional crowns before final treatment

Cases that may require an additional day:

Multi-layered zirconia crowns with shade gradients (require additional sintering for the final gradient)
Long bridges (4+ units)
Complex cosmetic cases where lab technician hand finishing is preferred

Common questions

About this device

Is an in-clinic crown the same quality as a lab crown?

Yes, and often better. The accuracy (±25 μm) matches premium labs, and the crown is ready before your impression expands or your gum shape changes. There is no intermediate step that can introduce human error.

Is zirconia stronger than traditional porcelain?

Significantly. Modern zirconia withstands bite force exceeding 1,200 MPa, versus 400 MPa for traditional porcelain. This means thinner crowns and less natural-tooth preparation.

How long is the full session?

For a single crown: 90-120 minutes (including scan, design, milling, and seating). For two anterior veneers: about 3 hours. For preparing a full arch of veneers: several planned sessions.

Can I see my crown design before it's milled?

Yes. The design displays on screen, and you can review shape, size, and bite before milling begins. Any adjustments are made instantly, not after completion.