Paying Homage to a Classic

Dental crowns are among the oldest and most trusted dental restorations around today. The first crowns appeared almost 2,000 years ago, and were crafted from gold by the wealthy Etruscans, who inhabited the hills of ancient Italy. Throughout history, other metals became popular, including silver and platinum, and today’s crowns are typically made from lifelike dental porcelain that closely mimics your natural tooth structure. As the one of the most popular restorative options, dental crowns serve a wide range of purposes in modern dentistry, and can be crafted in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on your exact needs.

The Right Choice for…

Original dental crowns may have been used more for cosmetic enhancement than functional restoration, but they’ve become a heavily-relied on choice for repairing damaged and infected teeth. A dental crown, or cap, fits over the top of your tooth to conceal its appearance and protect it from further damage, and is often needed to;

• Protect a cracked or fractured tooth

• Fortify a tooth treated with a dental filling or root canal therapy

• Improve the appearance of a severely stained or chipped tooth

• Anchor a dental bridge to replace a lost tooth

• Top a dental implant to replace a lost tooth’s root and crown

High-Quality Restoration

Placing a dental crown typically requires at least two visits. During your first appointment, Dr. Maria or Dr. Thanasi Loukas will thoroughly assess your tooth and the rest of your oral health to determine if a dental crown is the ideal choice. If so, then Dr. Loukas will prepare the tooth and take impressions of your mouth, then send the impressions and precise measurements to a trusted, off-site dental lab. During your second visit, after your crown has been crafted by skilled technicians, Dr. Loukas will remove your temporary crown and place the porcelain permanent one by bonding it to the prepared tooth. In cases of single tooth loss, a dental crown can also be coupled with a dental implant, or surgically-inserted prosthetic root, to create a replacement root-and-crown that more closely resembles your lost tooth’s structure.

About Your Park Ridge Dentists:

Though we can rebuild your smile if it’s compromised by cavities or gum disease, preventing such issues with improved dental hygiene can help you avoid the need for complex restorative treatment. Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled general, restorative, and implant dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.