A dental crown is one of the most common procedures we perform in our Arlington Heights dentist office for various reasons. A dental crown can serve both restorative and cosmetic purposes, providing strength and aesthetics to address many common dental concerns:
- Damaged teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- After a root canal
- Support a dental bridge
Dr. Brent Engelberg places high-quality ceramic dental crowns to enhance your natural smile and support lasting dental health. Using leading-edge dental technology and digital imaging, Dr. Engelberg provides superior results with color-matched dental restorations that are precision fit and made from the highest-quality materials.
Our teeth are very strong. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. It’s what coats your teeth. However, our teeth still sometimes require repair, whether they have become damaged, decayed, or developed serious infections. You may need a dental crown to restore your tooth to full function and health.
What Dental Crowns Treat
Dental crowns are popular because they can treat various cosmetic and restorative dental issues. We usually treat discolored teeth with professional teeth-whitening solutions. However, not all tooth discoloration responds to this method of treatment. Deep stains from medication or teeth discolored because of trauma need a different solution. We can color-match a dental crown to the white shade you desire, completely covering the discolored tooth.
Crowns can also treat teeth that are misshapen, chipped, or broken. Where the misshapen tooth is in your mouth can impact your ability to chew or speak properly. Broken or chipped teeth can be painful or have sharp edges that can harm the soft tissues in your mouth. A crown completely covers a misshapen tooth and restores full function. It also can complete the broken tooth and protect the soft tissues in the mouth.
Dental crowns are ideal for stabilizing teeth. When you get a root canal, we replace the infected pulp with a biocompatible material. But that doesn’t give you back full function. A crown seals off the tooth further and gives you back full function. We preserve natural tooth structure whenever possible, and crowns help salvage severely broken or decayed teeth.
Lastly, crowns are popular for various restorations. A traditional bridge utilizes natural teeth to anchor it. Dental crowns can fortify these teeth so that the bridge’s stress doesn’t break down your teeth faster. A custom dental crown is the most popular choice to complete a dental implant. It helps your implant to both look and feel the most natural.
Patient Review
Dental Crowns: What to Expect
CEREC is a CAD/CAM digital technology that enables your dentist to design, fabricate, and place a dental crown during a single visit to our dental office.
Using digital imaging to plan a custom, precision-fit dental restoration offers many benefits to the patient:
- Easy, precise impressions- no messy, gooey trays
- High-quality ceramic materials
- No need for the use of temporary restorations and a return visit to the dentist
Drs. Engelberg also uses Shadevision® technology to match the color of your new crown to neighboring teeth, resulting in a restoration that blends beautifully with your natural smile. An optimal result is a restoration that is indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Dental Crown FAQs
How long does a crown stay on your teeth?
Crowns typically stay on a patient’s teeth for 10-15 years. A variety of factors impact the lifespan. How patients care for their teeth and their diet greatly affects how long a crown lasts. With exceptional care, a crown can last over 30 years.
How long after getting a dental crown can I eat?
After placing a crown, dentists recommend that patients wait at least one hour before eating. This gives the crown time to set and any adhesive used to dry. Patients shouldn’t eat sticky foods or hard candy for a day after having their crown placed. This gives them time to slowly introduce foods and chewing to the crown so that they can adjust. Avoid chewing directly on the crown for these first few days as well.
How strong is a porcelain crown?
Porcelain is harder than tooth enamel, so porcelain crowns are stronger than natural teeth. They can damage tooth enamel if patients are prone to grinding and clenching their teeth. You’ll rarely crack or damage a crown, but it does happen.
Can my tooth decay under the crown?
Yes, the tooth can decay under the crown. When we place it, we ensure a good fit. If the crown is loose, bacteria and debris can easily get caught under it and cause problems. If your crown is loose, call us immediately to fix it. Oral hygiene is crucial to prevent this as well. Brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly to minimize your chances of decay under your crown.
Dental patient before and after replacing old dental crowns at AH Smiles.
Is it better to get a dental crown or have my tooth pulled?
Preserving the natural tooth structure is important whenever possible. The tooth root helps prevent gum recession and jawbone deterioration, among other things. We’ll always try to save the tooth with a dental crown when possible. If you need to get the tooth pulled, dental implants are a tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root and crown.
Am I eligible for a dental crown?
Most patients can get dental crowns. We’ll examine the tooth and ensure that it can be saved. Some teeth are too damaged or decayed to salvage. You should also have good oral health. You’ll have to take care of your crown and ensure you don’t develop decay under it.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
If you want to learn more about dental crowns near Deerfield, IL, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Northbrook, and surrounding areas, schedule an appointment with Dr. Engelberg. Call our office at (847) 230-9703 or use our convenient online form, and we will contact you shortly.
During an initial consultation, we will thoroughly examine your dental health and discuss your concerns and goals. He will make personalized recommendations for achieving them and improving your oral health. AH Smiles is currently welcoming new patients.