Crowns

A dental crown is a custom-made cap used to completely cover a compromised tooth above the gum line to restore its strength and appearance. While traditional options exist, porcelain crowns are highly preferred because they beautifully mimic the strength and translucency of real teeth. Learn more about how we use these fabrications to restore your smile on our main Restorative Dentistry enhancements page.

A crown is required when there is insufficient healthy tooth structure remaining to safely hold and support a standard dental filling. Unlike fillings, which are applied directly in a single visit, a crown is meticulously sculpted in a lab to fit your unique bite. If you have minor decay, read about our Pain-free Dental Fillings options.

Getting a custom crown at our Chicago office typically requires two visits to prepare the tooth, take an impression, and bond the final piece. For cases where tooth damage is limited but still too advanced for a standard filling, we also provide custom indirect fabrications like inlays, onlays, and Veneers.

Yes, crowns can be attached to dental implants to create a standalone, natural-looking replacement tooth that doesn’t compromise neighboring enamel. Alternatively, traditional dental Bridges can bridge gaps by bonding artificial teeth directly to the surrounding natural teeth for support.

If a tooth has experienced extensive decay or trauma and cannot support a crown, a safe extraction followed by an implant or bridge is the healthiest choice. If you are experiencing severe pain or suspect a tooth cannot be saved, read about our gentle protocols for Dental Extractions.