Dental Crowns: A Helpful Guide For Patients

If you suspect that you have a deep cavity, an old piece of dental work that’s failing, or an infected tooth, a crown may be the perfect way to restore your smile and eliminate discomfort in Oakbrook, Terrace, IL. But what exactly is a dental crown? How do they work? When are they needed? What are the different types, and how do you choose the right one for you? 

You’ve got questions, and in this comprehensive guide to dental crowns, the team at SmilesHUB will provide you with all of the answers you need. Read on to raise your dental IQ and discover everything you need to know about dental crowns.

Understanding How Dental Crowns Work

First, let’s start with the basics. A dental crown is basically a hollow false tooth that’s placed over a damaged or decayed tooth. When it’s in place, the crown replaces the natural tooth and covers it up all the way down to the gumline.

There are many different materials that can be used to create crowns, but tooth-colored ceramic materials like porcelain and zirconia are the most popular today. These materials are very similar to natural teeth in color, translucency, and overall durability, which ensures a seamless restoration.

With dental crowns, teeth that have been damaged by decay, trauma, or other oral health issues can be restored and protected for years to come. Crowns are often recommended for:

• Covering up teeth with large or extensive decay (cavities)
• Restoring broken, cracked, or damaged teeth
• Repairing worn-down teeth
• Replacing large, old, or worn-out fillings
• Covering up and protecting teeth after root canal therapy

Crowns are also sometimes recommended for cosmetic purposes. For example, if you want to get veneers to enhance your smile but your teeth are not strong enough for them, a set of tooth-colored crowns may be a viable alternative.

The Key Benefits of Dental Crowns

• Restores your natural tooth structure – Crowns are ideal for covering up a weak tooth. Whether it’s due to decay, wear and tear from teeth grinding, or dental trauma like a slip and fall, a crown will cover the weakened structure and protect it from any further damage.

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• Smile, bite, and chew without pain – Tooth damage can be extremely painful, especially if it extends into the pulp inside your tooth. But with a dental crown, you can cover up your damaged tooth and avoid pain, sensitivity, and discomfort. You’ll be able to smile, laugh, bite, and chew without worry.

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• Realistic and lifelike appearance – At SmilesHUB, we prefer tooth-colored crowns for most patients. As experts in digital smile design, Dr. Ritu and Dr. Sushant can create a crown that matches your existing teeth perfectly, providing a truly seamless result.

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• Strong and stain-resistant – Porcelain crowns are extremely durable and hold up well to the forces of chewing and biting. They are also completely stain-resistant, which means they will never be stained by wine, coffee, tea, or other common staining agents.

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• Long lifespan – Dental crowns have a typical lifespan of between 10-20 years, which makes them a great long-term investment in your oral health. Once your permanent crown is in place, you’ll be able to smile proudly for years to come.

Types of Dental Crowns – What You Should Know

There are many different types of dental crowns, and each one has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a quick overview of the most common types of crowns that dentists use today:

Porcelain crowns

Porcelain crowns are made from a tooth-colored ceramic material that can be matched to the color of your other teeth. They are very durable and stain-resistant, and offer extremely lifelike results whether they're used for front teeth or back teeth.

Zirconia crowns

Zirconia is a ceramic material that’s growing in popularity among dentists. It’s similar in strength to porcelain, but is a bit gentler on the opposing teeth. It offers similar aesthetic results to porcelain crowns and can be used for both front and back teeth.

Metal crowns

Metal crowns are typically made with a combination of precious metals like gold and a base alloy that contains other less precious metals. Metal crowns are extremely durable and long-lasting, making them ideal for molars. However, they look unnatural, so they are not usually recommended for front teeth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) crowns 

PFM crowns use a metal base that has a porcelain “shell” built on top of it. This means they combine the durability of metal crowns with the lifelike appearance of porcelain crowns. PFM crowns are highly versatile, but do have some drawbacks. For example, the porcelain can chip off of the metal base over time, or gum recession could expose a metal line near the base of the tooth.

Resin crowns

Resin crowns are usually only used for temporary restorations because they are not very durable, with an expected lifespan of only 3-5 years. For example, if you get a root canal at SmilesHUB, Dr. Ritu or Dr. Sushant may place a pre-fitted, temporary resin crown onto your tooth to protect it until you get a permanent porcelain crown. 

The Crown Placement Process – Step-By-Step

Not sure what to expect from the dental crown procedure? After your initial examination, it typically takes two visits over a period of 2-4 weeks to get your permanent crown. Let’s break the process down and discuss what you can expect during every step of your crown treatment.

• Initial consultation – First, you’ll come into SmilesHUB to meet with Dr. Sushant or Dr. Ritu. They will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and determine the extent of your oral health issues. Together, you can decide if a dental crown is the right treatment for your unique needs.

• Tooth preparation – If you’re approved, you’ll come back for another appointment at SmilesHUB. Your dentist will clean and numb your mouth, then use a dental drill to remove any unhealthy or damaged material from your tooth. They will shape the tooth into a strong, stable platform for your new crown.

• Impressions & crown design – Once your tooth has been trimmed, Dr. Sushant or Dr. Ritu will take a digital impression of your teeth with a handheld scanner. This is what they will use to design your new tooth. Next, they will place a temporary crown on top of your tooth to protect it and send you home.

• Crown fabrication – When they have finalized your crown design, your dentist will send it to a dental lab. Here, a technician will painstakingly craft a lifelike, durable, and strong dental crown that will fit into your smile perfectly. This process usually takes 2-4 weeks.

• Final crown placement – After your permanent crown arrives at our office, you’ll come in for your last visit at SmilesHUB. Dr. Ritu or Dr. Dhadwal will remove your temporary crown, then clean up the tooth and check the fit of your permanent crown. Then, they will permanently attach it to your tooth with dental cement. After one final polishing, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your newly restored smile.

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Understanding Dental Crown Costs And Payment Options 

Dental crown costs can vary based on a variety of factors. The specifics of your oral health, the material you choose, the number of crowns you need, the geographic location of your dentists, and lots of other factors have an effect on pricing. In general, though, getting a crown in Illinois costs an average of about $1500.

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Worried about treatment costs? We’ve got good news. Dental crowns are typically covered by dental insurance. And at SmilesHUB, we work with most major insurance plans and can make sure you get the coverage you deserve based on your insurance plan.

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If you don’t have dental insurance and you’re looking for affordable dental crowns in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, a SmilesHUB Assurance Plan may be right for you. As a member, you’ll pay a yearly fee that covers preventive care and also provides a 10% discount for all other services, which includes dental crowns.

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We also offer CareCredit financing for qualifying customers. This means you can split the cost of a dental crown into low monthly installments. In turn, this makes it easier to fit essential dental care into your budget. 

Dental Crown Aftercare and Maintenance Tips

Not sure how to care for your smile after you get a crown? Here are a few tips you should follow to keep your crown and your other teeth in great shape:

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• Maintain a good oral hygiene routine – Make sure you brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss once per day. This helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can cause your crown to fail prematurely.
• Eat a tooth-healthy diet – To keep your crown and your other teeth in great shape, it’s best to cut back on sugary snacks and drinks, and eat a diet that’s full of “tooth-healthy” foods like dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
  
  
• Avoid super sticky foods – We recommend avoiding extremely sticky and gummy foods like taffy, gummy worms, and other candies. Not only are they big contributors to tooth decay, but they can weaken the bond between your crown and tooth over time.
  
  
• Get help if you grind your teeth – If you grind your teeth at night, a custom-fitted nightguard from the team at SmilesHUBis a good investment. Nightguards help cushion and protect your teeth and your crown from premature wear and damage due to teeth grinding (bruxism).
  
  
• See your dentist every six months for a checkup – Never skip your six-month checkups at SmilesHUB! During every visit, Dr. Ritu or Dr. Sushant will perform an oral exam to look for any issues with your crowns, teeth, or gums. You’ll also get a professional teeth cleaning, which will help keep your smile bright.

Answering Your FAQs About Dental Crowns

• How long do dental crowns last? This depends on the type of crown. However, most crowns have an expected lifespan of at least 10-20 years, and they can last even longer if you maintain a good oral hygiene routine and see your dentist for frequent checkups.

• Is getting a dental crown painful? Not at all. The entire process is done under numbing to ensure your comfort. We even offer sedation options at SmilesHUB for patients who need a little more help relaxing during their visit. 

• Can dental crowns stain? No. Dental crowns do not stain like natural teeth. However, they also cannot be whitened. It’s important to work with an experienced dentist to make sure that you get a crown that matches your other teeth, since it cannot be whitened in the future.

• What happens if my crown becomes loose? Crowns can become loose if they're old, or if the underlying tooth structure begins to decay. Either way, it’s important to have your crown checked by a professional as soon as possible to avoid further complications. If your crown feels loose, you should contact SmilesHUB right away for a consultation with Dr. Ritu or Dr. Sushant. 

Need A Crown In Oakbrook Terrace, IL? Come To SmilesHUB!

At SmilesHUB, Dr. Sushant Dhadwal and Dr. Ritu Dhadwal specialize in restorative dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Whether you have a sore tooth, an old filling or crown that needs to be replaced, or think you need a dental crown for any other reason, our team is here to help. Ready to get started? Just give us a call at (630) 592-8139 or contact us online to book your visit today and discover the SmilesHUB Difference for yourself!