Same-Day Dentistry Is No Longer Optional: Why Patient Demand Is Driving Chairside Milling in 2026

Dentists often evaluate new technology based on ROI, workflow efficiency, or clinical performance.

But in 2026, there’s a new driving force behind chairside milling adoption:

Patient demand.

Same-day crowns are no longer viewed as an advanced offering. They are increasingly seen as the standard of care — and patients are actively seeking practices that provide them.

📊 The Data Is Clear: Patients Want Single-Visit Dentistry 

A landmark dental patient survey conducted by Exevia GmbH in 2015 revealed striking data about patient expectations. Imagine over the past decade, these metrics have only increased!

• 85% of patients prefer same-day dentistry

• 50% would pay more for a one-appointment restoration

• 67% would travel farther

• 2 out of 3 would change dentists for a single-visit crown

• Same-visit crowns are the #1 patient-requested dental technology

These numbers are not subtle.

They reflect a fundamental shift in what patients expect from their dental provider.

Convenience Is the New Currency in Dentistry

Modern patients:

• Order groceries online
• Schedule telehealth appointments
• Expect instant results in nearly every service category

They are no longer willing to:

• Take multiple days off work
• Wear temporary crowns
• Wait two weeks for lab delivery

The practices that thrive in 2026 will be those that align with this behavioral shift.

Same-day dentistry is not about technology.
It’s about meeting expectations.

Same-Day Crowns = Competitive Advantage

When 2 out of 3 patients would consider changing dentists for single-visit treatment, this becomes more than workflow improvement.

It becomes a market differentiator.

Chairside milling allows practices to:

• Increase case acceptance
• Improve scheduling efficiency
• Reduce cancellations between prep and seat
• Build a modern brand perception

Same-day crowns are no longer “nice to have.”

They are a growth strategy. Beat your local competition before they beat you to it!

The Technology That Makes It Possible: Modern Chairside Milling

Today’s chairside mills have evolved dramatically. Speed, simplicity, and material flexibility are no longer trade-offs.

One example reshaping expectations is the Perfit OVIS chairside mill.

Unlike traditional systems that require long sintering cycles or closed ecosystems, the Perfit OVIS:

• Mills fully sintered zirconia in approximately 13 minutes
• Eliminates oven bottlenecks
• Supports open CAD and scanner workflows
• Fits efficiently into small or single-operatory practices

For practices focused on patient convenience, this kind of speed is transformative.

Traditional Crown vs Same-Day Crown Workflow

Traditional Workflow
Appointment 1 → Prep → Temporary → Lab Wait (1–3 weeks) → Seat Appointment
Risk: No-shows, remakes, temp failures

Same-Day Workflow
Scan → Design → Mill → Seat
One visit. One experience. One satisfied patient.

Financial Impact: Patients Will Pay for Convenience

The survey data revealed something powerful:

50% of patients would pay more for same-day treatment.

That means:

• Increased production per case
• Potential premium positioning
• Faster ROI on equipment investment

Same-day dentistry is one of the rare technologies that:

• Improves patient satisfaction
• Increases revenue
• Reduces overhead dependency on labs

All simultaneously.

The 2026 Question Is Not “Should We?”

It’s: Can your practice afford not to offer same-day crowns?

If:

• 85% prefer it
• 67% will travel for it
• 2 out of 3 may switch providers

Then same-day dentistry becomes not just a clinical decision — but a strategic one.

The Bottom Line

Patient expectations are reshaping dentistry.

Same-day crowns are now the most requested dental technology. Practices that embrace efficient chairside milling workflows are positioning themselves for stronger retention, higher case acceptance, and long-term growth.

Modern mills like the Perfit OVIS make single-visit restorations more accessible than ever — especially for practices seeking open workflows and simplified production.

Ready to Align With Patient Demand?

Voxel Dental works with practices across the country to implement efficient, real-world chairside milling workflows.

If you're evaluating same-day dentistry in 2026, our team can help you assess:

• Workflow fit
• Production potential
• ROI projections
• Training and integration

Because meeting patient demand isn’t optional anymore.

It’s the future of restorative dentistry... and dentistry as we know it!