Dental Crowns – Rolling Meadows
Build Up and Protect Your Damaged Tooth
Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the entire body, but it isn’t completely resistant to harm. Teeth can become damaged in various ways, leaving them vulnerable. That’s why we offer dental crowns in Rolling Meadows. If you have a tooth that is decayed, broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged, a dental crown can build up and protect it. Continue reading to learn more about how they work.
Why Choose Plum Grove Family Dental for Dental Crowns?
- Customized for Natural Appearance
- We Welcome Dental Insurance
- Saturday Appointments Available
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a thin, tooth-shaped cap that is securely bonded to an injured or decayed tooth to restore its structure, function, and appearance. Each crown is custom-made to match the exact dimensions of your dentition. We may recommend a dental crown in a number of cases, such as:
- Repair a large cavity
- Fix a broken tooth
- Hold a weakened tooth together
- Help even out a patient’s bite
- Cosmetically enhance a permanently stained or misshapen tooth
- Complete a dental implant
Depending on your oral health needs, a dental crown can be made from various materials. Porcelain or ceramic are great options for front teeth because of their uncanny ability to resemble natural tooth enamel. Gold or metal crowns are ideal for molars because those teeth must withstand the daily wear and tear of chewing.
The Dental Crown Process
Getting a dental crown placed is a relatively straightforward process. It is usually completed after just a couple of visits to the dental office. First, your dentist will examine your smile to make sure that a dental crown is the best solution for you. Once this is confirmed by your dentist, a thin layer of enamel needs to be removed. This will create room for the dental crown to fit comfortably in the mouth and appear natural. Impressions are taken of the altered tooth and sent to the dental laboratory where your dental crown will be made.
In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary dental crown. This will protect your tooth and help you to get used to how your new restoration will feel. Once it's ready, you can return it to our office so we can adhere it in place with dental cement.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
There is a wide range of benefits that you can experience by getting a dental crown. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Feels comfortable
- Appears natural
- Customized for you
- Prevents additional damage
- Can last 15+ years
- Improves chewing ability
- Increases confidence
Dental Crown FAQs
What Can I Eat with a Temporary Crown?
Although temporary crowns aren’t flimsy by any means, we do recommend avoiding certain foods. A few examples include hard pretzels, corn on the cob, popcorn, and tortilla chips. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of very hot and cold foods to avoid dental sensitivity.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
Dental crowns cannot get cavities because they are crafted from artificial materials, like dental porcelain. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you no longer need to care for your smile. After all, the underlying tooth can still decay! For that reason, we strongly recommend incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine, starting with brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
With proper care, dental crowns in Rolling Meadows can last for 10+ years. As the years go on, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble, like instability, a noticeably worse appearance, or pain when biting down. If these or any other abnormal symptoms arise, then contact our team at Plum Grove Family Dental so we can take the necessary X-rays and complete a visual exam. From there, we can determine if it needs to be replaced.
Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?
This is a very common concern, especially for patients who grew up with metal restorations being the only option. Fortunately, we offer tooth-colored ones at our office! During your initial appointment, we will select the ideal shade to ensure that your dental crown blends in with your smile instead of standing out. With enough time, you may even forget which one is the treated tooth!
Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Many dental plans cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments, including dental crowns. So, if you are insured, you shouldn’t hesitate to read through the fine print on your plan or provide our team with your membership information! Since we accept dental PPO insurance plans from any provider, we can help you maximize your benefits, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses in the process.
Tip: Don’t have dental insurance? Consider signing up for flexible financing with CareCredit! That way, you can break up the total cost of your treatment into smaller chunks that fit within your monthly budget comfortably.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Sadly, dental crowns are not permanent. They can, however, last for well over a decade when cared for properly. That’s why we encourage our patients to incorporate healthy habits into their routine, like flossing daily, scheduling a dental cleaning every six months, and eating well-balanced meals that are low in added sugar.