Technology · Media
First in Houston for Same-Day Crowns
In the year 2000, Dr. Minh Nguyen became the first dentist in Houston to offer same-day ceramic crowns made in-office. Channel 2 News came to SoftDental to cover the story. Watch the original broadcast below.
📺 Channel 2 News Houston
The SoftDental same-day crown broadcast
Original Channel 2 News Houston broadcast · circa 2000 · Dr. Minh Nguyen, DDS, PA · SoftDental Houston
The story behind the broadcast
In 2000, in-office same-day ceramic crown technology had just been introduced. The manufacturer — a German company — had not yet begun selling directly in the United States, and most American dentists had no access to the machine at all.
Dr. Nguyen wanted to offer his patients a better experience. Traditional crowns required two appointments, a temporary crown worn for two or more weeks, and a dental lab fabricating the restoration off-site. The new in-office system changed all of that: one appointment, no temporary, same-day result.
To get the machine before it was available in the US, he located a dealer in Canada and ordered it through them, waiting about a month for it to arrive. When the manufacturer announced the purchase to local media, Channel 2 News contacted SoftDental and came to film the segment above.
At the time, Dr. Nguyen was not looking for media attention — he bought the machine because it was the best available technology for his patients. The coverage simply reflected how unusual and forward-thinking the decision was in 2000.
25+ years of same-day crowns
How the technology evolved at SoftDental
- 2000First in HoustonDr. Nguyen orders the original in-office CAD/CAM milling system through Canada — before US availability. Channel 2 News covers the story, and SoftDental becomes the first Houston office offering same-day ceramic crowns.
- 2000sDigital scanning replaces impressionsEarly systems needed optical impressions with powder. Fully digital scanning workflows soon replaced messy impression materials — no gagging, better accuracy, faster visits.
- 2010sStronger ceramic materialsLithium disilicate and zirconia let same-day crowns match the strength and aesthetics of lab-made restorations — front teeth, back molars and implant crowns in a single appointment.
- 2020sMCXL milling + Leica M320 microscopeToday Dr. Nguyen pairs the MCXL in-office milling unit with the Leica M320 dental microscope, verifying crown margins and fit under high magnification before final cementation.
- 202626 years and countingWhat started as a bold early purchase is now a standard, everyday SoftDental service — same-day crowns, done in one visit.
How same-day crowns work today
One visit, start to finish
One appointment
The tooth is prepared, scanned, designed, milled and cemented — all in the same visit. No temporary crown and no second appointment for most cases.
Digital scan, no impression
A digital scanner captures a precise 3D image of the prepared tooth in about two to three minutes. No trays, no impression material, no gagging.
Milled in-office in ~15 minutes
The MCXL milling unit carves the crown from a solid ceramic block while you wait — the milling itself typically takes 12 to 20 minutes.
Verified under microscope
Before final cementation, Dr. Nguyen inspects the crown margins under the Leica M320 microscope — confirming fit, contacts and bite.
Strong ceramic material
Crowns are milled from high-strength ceramic (lithium disilicate or zirconia, depending on the tooth) that matches natural color and holds up to chewing.
Most PPO insurance accepted
Many PPO plans cover ceramic crowns the same as traditional lab crowns. Our team helps verify your benefits before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Same-day crowns at SoftDental
Was SoftDental really the first dental office in Houston to offer same-day crowns?
Yes. In 2000, Dr. Minh Nguyen purchased the in-office CAD/CAM milling system before the manufacturer began selling directly in the United States. He sourced the equipment through a dealer in Canada, and Channel 2 News covered the story — making SoftDental the first Houston office offering same-day ceramic crowns.
Does SoftDental still offer same-day crowns in 2026?
Yes. SoftDental has offered in-office same-day crown milling continuously since 2000 — over 25 years. Today Dr. Nguyen uses the MCXL in-office milling system with a digital scanning workflow and verifies the final fit under a Leica M320 microscope.
What is the difference between CEREC and MCXL?
Both names refer to technology from the same manufacturer, Dentsply Sirona. CEREC is the brand name for the overall CAD/CAM chairside system; the MCXL (MC XL) is the specific milling unit model Dr. Nguyen uses to fabricate the crown. SoftDental refers to it as MCXL.
How long does a same-day crown appointment take at SoftDental?
Most same-day crown appointments take about 2 to 3 hours from preparation to final placement: the tooth is prepared, a digital scan is taken (no messy impressions), the crown is designed on-screen, milled in-office in roughly 15 minutes, then verified under the microscope before cementation.
SoftDental Houston
Need a crown? Leave with it the same day.
Book a visit and ask about a same-day ceramic crown — milled and placed in one appointment.