Dental crowns, often called "tooth caps," are custom-made restorations designed to cover and protect a damaged or weakened tooth. These crowns are shaped and colored to match your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless blend with your smile. They serve various purposes, from strengthening a weakened tooth to improving its aesthetic appearance.

What Benefits Can a Crown Provide?

Above the gum line, a crown completely covers a tooth. In contrast, a dental veneer only covers the front surface of a tooth and requires the support of a natural tooth structure. Therefore, a crown would be the best option for restoring a tooth without significant form above the gum line. Crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth when crafted from today's high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics). They can even be made to make a tooth look better than it did before. Porcelain and ceramic crowns offer natural aesthetics and are ideal for visible areas of the mouth. Metal crowns provide exceptional strength, particularly for molars. Zirconia crowns combine strength and aesthetics, making them suitable for front and back teeth. The choice of crown material depends on factors like location, damage severity, and patient preferences.

How is a Crown Made?

Crowning or capping a tooth is vital to maintaining good oral health. Glendale Heights Family Dental recommends two to three visits for a crown or cap. Your tooth is prepared for its new peak at the first visit. In the beginning, it is shaped to fit inside the new cover. Drilling will give the tooth a uniform shape after the area around it is numbed beforehand. For the crown to be stable, the tooth may need to be "built up" with filling material rather than being filed down because there may be very little remaining tooth structure. An impression of your teeth is taken after the tooth has been prepared. The impression materials, which look like putty, are used and sent to the dental lab. The impressions will be used there to create crown-making models of your teeth. Your dentist will first assess your tooth's condition with a manual and a digital scan and decide what type of crown is necessary. If a crown is recommended, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decayed or damaged areas and shaping it to create space for the crown. An impression of the prepared tooth and nearby teeth is taken to ensure the crown's precise fit.

The models will be guided by highly trained lab technicians, who will ensure your new crown is made to fit your bite and look good.

A temporary crown will be bonded to your tooth before you leave the office to safeguard it until the permanent crown is ready. During the second visit, a special light will quickly bond the cement to attach your permanent crown to your tooth.

Crowns need the same careful attention as your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing between your birth and restored teeth will help prevent plaque buildup. When you have crowns, keep up with your regular dental cleanings. Wearing a nightguard is an excellent idea to protect your investment and teeth.

Same-day crowns can be fabricated right in the dental office, often within hours. This eliminates the need for a temporary crown and a return visit for crown placement.

At Glendale Heights Family Dental, they provide consultations to aid you in appraising the pros and cons of dental crowns. Call Glendale Heights Family Dental at (630) 866 – 6000 to make an appointment immediately!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q3: How long do dental crowns typically last?

A3: The lifespan of a dental crown can vary depending on factors like oral hygiene and daily wear. On average, dental crowns can last between 10 to 15 years or even longer with proper care. Regular dental check-ups and maintenance are essential to ensure their longevity. Glendale Heights Family Dental provides follow-up care and guidance on maintaining your dental crowns. When the time comes, we'll monitor their condition during routine check-ups and offer any necessary maintenance or replacement.

Q: What is the procedure for obtaining a dental crown, and is it painful?

A: The procedure entails preparing the tooth, obtaining impressions, and installing a provisional crown while the permanent one is custom-made. A local anesthetic is administered to ensure that the procedure is painless. At Glendale Heights, we make sure that patients experience minimal discomfort.