Crowns
Dental Crown in Arlington Heights, IL
When a tooth is severely damaged, decayed, or weakened, a dental crown offers an effective solution to restore both function and appearance. James Kakos DDS offers dental crown treatments in Arlington Heights, IL. Our high-quality dental crowns protect your natural teeth while giving you back your confident smile. Reach out today to schedule an appointment.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap covering a damaged or weakened tooth completely. It encases the entire visible portion above the gum line, restoring the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. Modern dental crowns are crafted to look and feel like natural teeth, seamlessly blending with your existing smile.
Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown
Dental crowns serve multiple purposes in restorative dentistry. Some of the top reasons patients need dental crowns include:
- Extensive Tooth Decay: A crown provides comprehensive protection while preserving the remaining healthy tooth structure when a cavity is too large for a regular filling.
- Cracked or Broken Teeth: A crown can hold together the pieces of a fractured tooth and prevent further damage from occurring.
- Root Canal Treatment: After root canal therapy, teeth become more brittle and require crown protection to prevent fractures.
- Large Existing Fillings: When an old filling fails or the tooth around it weakens, a crown offers more durable protection than a replacement filling.
- Cosmetic Enhancement: Crowns enhance the appearance of severely discolored, misshapen, or poorly positioned teeth.
- Dental Implant Restoration: Crowns serve as the visible tooth replacement portion of dental implants.
- Bridge Support: Crowns on adjacent teeth provide anchoring points for dental bridges.
Step-by-Step: The Dental Crown Procedure
The dental crown procedure is easy and comfortable. This procedure includes:
- Numbing the area around your tooth to ensure comfort.
- Shaping and preparing the tooth to accommodate the crown.
- Taking detailed impressions of your prepared tooth and surrounding teeth.
- Sending these impressions to our dental laboratory, where skilled technicians will create your custom crown.
- Placing a temporary crown.
At the second visit, expect the following:
- Removing the temporary crown.
- Cementing the permanent crown in place.
- Making any final adjustments to ensure comfort and proper function.
Types of Dental Crowns
Our dental team can help you understand the various types of dental crowns, each with unique advantages. These include:
- Porcelain Crowns: These provide the most natural appearance and are ideal for front teeth. They resist staining and closely match your natural tooth color.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns: This type of crown combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain.
- Zirconia Crowns: Known for exceptional strength and natural appearance, zirconia crowns offer durability without compromising aesthetics.
- Same Day Dental Crowns: Using advanced CEREC technology, crowns are designed, created, and placed in one appointment.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
Proper care ensures your dental crown will last for many years. We recommend doing the following:
- Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss regularly around the crown area. While the crown cannot decay, the underlying tooth and gums need protection.
- Avoid Hard Foods: Don’t chew on ice, hard candies, or other hard objects that could damage or dislodge your crown.
- Wear a Night Guard: A custom night guard can protect your crown and natural teeth from excessive wear if you grind your teeth at night.
- Regular Dental Visits: Keep up with routine checkups and cleanings so we can monitor your crown and overall oral health.
- Be Mindful of Sticky Foods: Avoid sticky candies that might pull at your crown.
Advantages of Choosing a Dental Crown
Dental crowns are typically the best choice for patients with damaged or compromised teeth. Some of the benefits of choosing a dental crown include:
- Tooth Preservation: Patients can keep the natural tooth rather than having it extracted, maintaining proper jawbone structure.
- Restored Function: Crowns restore chewing ability and proper bite alignment.
- Natural Appearance: Modern crown materials closely mimic natural teeth’s translucency, color, and texture.
- Durability: High-quality crowns withstand normal chewing forces and can last decades.
- Versatility: Crowns can address multiple dental problems simultaneously.
- Protection: Crowns shield vulnerable teeth from further damage.
Explore Our Full Range of Dental Services
Our Arlington Heights practice offers comprehensive dental care beyond crowns. We provide preventive services like routine cleanings, restorative treatments including fillings, and cosmetic procedures like veneers. We also offer dental implants, root canal therapy, and emergency dental services under one roof.
Why Patients in Arlington Heights Choose Us
James Kakos DDS is your go-to choice for comprehensive dental services. Our experienced dental team answers your questions and explains your treatment options. From the moment you call our office to your follow-up appointments, we’re dedicated to providing personalized care that exceeds your expectations. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Dental Crown FAQs
We’re always open to answering questions. Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about dental crowns.
Is it Painful to Get a Crown?
No, a dental crown is not a painful procedure. We use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Some patients experience mild sensitivity or soreness after the anesthesia wears off.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
With proper care, a well-made dental crown can last 10-15 years or more. The longevity depends on factors such as the crown material, oral hygiene habits, and the amount of wear the crown experiences.
Is There a Downside to a Dental Crown?
While dental crowns are highly successful, there are some considerations. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures after crown placement. Additionally, crowns require the removal of some healthy tooth structure during preparation. For damaged teeth, the benefits of protection and restoration outweigh minimal drawbacks.
When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?
A dental crown is used when a tooth is too damaged or weakened for a simple filling to provide adequate protection. This includes teeth with large cavities, significant cracks, or those that have undergone root canal treatment.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns may need to be replaced due to normal wear, changes in your bite, or if the underlying tooth develops new problems. With proper care, crowns can last decades.
Can Dental Crowns Be Repaired?
Yes, minor chips or rough spots on crowns can sometimes be polished or repaired. Significant damage usually requires crown replacement.