Dental Crowns Can Restore Your Smile: Insights from an Albany Park Dentist and Dental Office

Dental crowns with a dentist in Albany Park, Chicago

You may know what a dental crown is, but do you have any idea how many dental problems it can fix? Dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” that your Albany Park dentist may place over weakened or damaged teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, or appearance. Are you interested in learning more about them? We’re going to explain everything you’ll need to know about dental crowns below.

Why Do People Need Dental Crowns?

A dental crown can be used to correct a variety of dental issues. The following are some of the most common reasons why people get dental crowns in the Albany Park neighborhood of northwest Chicago:

  • Dental crowns are often used to protect and cover teeth that have been damaged by cavity or decay.
  • If you have a chipped or broken tooth, a dental crown will protect the enamel from cleaving.
  • Dental crowns can be used to restore or “build up” a broken or a severely worn down tooth.
  • A dental crown can be placed on top of a decayed tooth for coverage and support when composite filling does not solve the problem.
  • Dental crowns can be used to hold a dental bridge in place.
  • A dental crown can be used to cover a tooth that is misshapen, malformed, excessively worn, deeply discolored, or needs some other kind of cosmetic adjustment.
  • Dental crowns are sometimes used to cover teeth that have been treated with a root canal or a dental implant.

How is a Dental Crown Placed?

You will typically have two visits to your dentist to prepare for a dental crown in Albany Park, Chicago.

At your first dental appointment, your tooth will be examined using an X-ray. If there is extensive tooth decay or risk of infection, your dentist might have to do a root canal treatment before your dental crown procedure. Next, the tooth will be reshaped (filed down across the top and sides) to make room for the crown. Your dentist will then make an impression of the tooth and send it to the dental lab. A temporary crown will be placed over the prepared tooth to keep it covered and protected until the permanent crown is made in a dental lab.

At your second dental appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, and a permanent one will be put in place by your Albany Park dentist.

What is a Dental Crown Made of?

While dental crowns can be made of metals (e.g., gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium), there are other materials now that are commonly used to strike the perfect balance between strength and a natural appearance. These include porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, all-resin crowns, all-ceramic crowns, all-porcelain crowns, or pressed ceramic porcelain crowns.

However, the material you choose should depend on why you are placing the crown, its location in your mouth, and whether the crown will be visible when you smile or speak.

How Should You Care for Your Dental Crown?

Other than daily good oral hygiene, dental crowns typically do not require special care. Generally speaking, you can care for them the same way you would your natural teeth, with everyday brushing and flossing and routine dental check-ups.

Speak With an Albany Park Dentist and Dental Office About the Possibility of Dental Crowns

If you’re ready to discuss the possibility of getting dental crowns with a top-rated dentist in the Albany Park area, Smile Innovations is ready to help. Dr. Gordon J. Ziols (DDS, FAGD) and his team will be happy to discuss your situation and determine whether dental crowns are a good solution for you. Contact us today (773) 763-1000 to schedule an appointment. You can also reach us by email at appointments@smileinnovationschicago.com.