Chairside One-Hour Crowns in Brazil's Major Cities: Real Implementation Status and Patient Acceptance in 2026

Chairside CAD/CAM technology enables dentists to design, mill, and place permanent crowns in a single patient visit—often within 60–90 minutes. This "one-hour crown" or same-day crown approach eliminates the need for temporary restorations, multiple appointments, and laboratory delays. In Brazil, where the dental devices market is projected to grow from approximately USD 275 million in 2025 to over USD 364 million by the end of the decade at a CAGR of around 5.8%, chairside workflows represent one of the fastest-evolving segments.

As of early 2026, adoption remains concentrated in large urban centers like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. These cities benefit from higher disposable incomes, greater awareness of cosmetic dentistry, and easier access to advanced equipment. Southeast Brazil, particularly São Paulo and Rio, serves as the primary hub for digital dentistry innovation, driven by private clinics catering to middle- and upper-class patients seeking efficient, aesthetic solutions.

Current Implementation Status in Major Cities

In São Paulo—the country's economic powerhouse and home to numerous high-volume dental practices—chairside systems are increasingly common in medium-to-large private clinics. Digital uptake has accelerated due to the integration of intraoral scanners and chairside milling units, shortening crown fabrication from weeks to hours. Clinics report that same-day crowns are now routine for single-unit anterior and posterior restorations, especially using high-strength materials like zirconia.

Rio de Janeiro follows closely, with many aesthetic-focused practices in areas like Copacabana and Leblon offering one-visit crowns as a premium service. Clinics here emphasize patient convenience, marketing single-visit treatments to busy professionals and dental tourists. Average procedure costs for same-day crowns range from USD 400–600, making them accessible compared to traditional multi-visit options while still profitable for practices.

Implementation is supported by Brazil's growing digital dentistry ecosystem. Events like CIOSP (Congresso Internacional de Odontologia de São Paulo), held annually in São Paulo, highlight chairside advancements, with 2026 editions featuring extensive demonstrations of CAD/CAM workflows. The expansion of cloud-connected scanners and AI-assisted design tools has lowered entry barriers, allowing more solo practitioners and mid-sized clinics to adopt the technology.

However, challenges persist. High initial equipment costs, the need for specialized training, and reliable high-speed internet for cloud-based design remain hurdles, particularly outside major metropolitan areas. In public health settings, adoption is minimal due to budget constraints, but private sector growth compensates, with Southeast Brazil leading regional penetration.

Patient Acceptance and Satisfaction Levels

Patient response to chairside one-hour crowns in Brazil's urban clinics is overwhelmingly positive. Key advantages include:

• Convenience — Eliminating the need for temporaries and return visits appeals to time-conscious patients in fast-paced cities like São Paulo and Rio.
• Comfort — No gag-inducing impressions or prolonged procedures; intraoral scanning is quick and less invasive.
• Aesthetics and Functionality — Immediate placement of durable, natural-looking crowns (often zirconia-based) satisfies high aesthetic expectations in cosmetic cases.

Market reports indicate that digital workflows, including same-day restorations, enhance patient satisfaction and encourage practice loyalty. In high-volume urban practices, single-visit crowns help address Brazil's significant caries burden by enabling faster, minimally invasive interventions.

While global surveys (e.g., from similar markets) show that a majority of patients would switch providers for single-visit options, Brazilian urban patients echo this sentiment. Acceptance is particularly strong among younger demographics and those undergoing smile makeovers, where immediate results boost confidence. Cost remains a factor—same-day procedures command a modest premium—but patients often view the time savings and reduced discomfort as worthwhile.

Benefits and Limitations in Practice

Benefits:

• Reduced chair time and no provisional phase lower risks of provisional failure or sensitivity.
• Enhanced control over final outcome, as dentists adjust and seat restorations immediately.
• Strong alignment with Brazil's cosmetic dentistry boom, where natural-looking, metal-free restorations dominate.

Limitations:

• Best suited for straightforward single-unit cases; complex multi-unit or implant-supported restorations may still require lab support.
• Learning curve for design and milling requires ongoing education.
• Material selection (e.g., high-translucency zirconia for aesthetics vs. high-strength for posteriors) influences outcomes.

Future Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

As Brazil's digital dentistry market continues expanding—with chairside CAD/CAM as a core driver—adoption in major cities is expected to deepen. Innovations like faster milling units, improved materials, and AI integration will further streamline workflows. Patient demand for efficient, high-quality care will push more clinics toward single-visit models, solidifying one-hour crowns as a standard offering in urban Brazilian dentistry.

In conclusion, chairside one-hour crowns have transitioned from novelty to practical reality in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other major cities. High patient acceptance, driven by convenience, aesthetics, and reliability, positions this technology as a key growth engine for Brazil's private dental sector in 2026.