A dental crown covers and reinforces a tooth that has been significantly weakened, cracked, worn, or heavily restored. At LPS Dental, we plan crowns around how much healthy tooth remains, how the tooth functions in your bite, and how the final restoration should look. CEREC technology also allows us to provide same-day crowns in appropriate cases, with restorative care available in Lincoln Park, Downtown Chicago, and Norwood Park.
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What We Offer
A dental crown covers and reinforces a tooth that has been significantly weakened, cracked, worn, or heavily restored. At LPS Dental, we plan crowns around how much healthy tooth remains, how the tooth functions in your bite, and how the final restoration should look.
A tooth with a small cavity may need nothing more than a filling. But when most of the visible tooth is already filling material, replacing it with an even larger filling may leave the remaining walls vulnerable to fracture. A crown can surround and reinforce the weakened tooth.
A fracture does not always mean the tooth is lost. If enough healthy structure remains and the crack can be managed restoratively, a crown may help hold the tooth together and protect it from further damage. The depth and direction of the crack matter, so the tooth needs to be evaluated first.
When decay has destroyed too much tooth structure for a conventional filling, a crown may provide the coverage and support the tooth now needs. This is one reason catching cavities earlier can keep treatment more conservative.
A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may need a crown depending on its location, remaining tooth structure, and risk of fracture. Back teeth often carry substantial chewing forces, so additional protection may be particularly important. The restorative plan should be based on the individual tooth rather than assuming every root canal is identical.
Years of grinding, clenching, erosion, or bite problems can leave teeth shorter and structurally weakened. Crowns may be part of rebuilding selected teeth when more conservative treatment cannot provide enough support. We also need to address why the wear happened so the new restoration is not exposed to the same problem without protection.
A dental implant replaces the root portion of a missing tooth. The crown is the visible restoration attached above it. Implant crowns are designed around the surrounding teeth, bite, gumline, and implant position so the replacement tooth fits naturally into the mouth.
Comfort, Expertise, And Trust
Patient story from Lincoln Park Smiles
Tell us what you notice. The recommendation comes after we understand the problem.
Treatment should look like your smile, not a one-size-fits-all result.
We evaluate the health of the teeth and gums, existing restorations, tooth position, and bite before treatment.
We explain why something is recommended, what alternatives exist, and what treatment involves before you decide.
How It Works
Before preparing anything, we examine the tooth and determine what has weakened it. That may involve decay, a fracture, an old restoration, root canal treatment, or significant wear. Dental X-rays may be useful when we need additional information about the tooth and surrounding structures.
A crown only makes sense if the underlying tooth has a reasonable foundation. We evaluate how much healthy structure remains, the condition of the gums, the root, the bite, and whether another treatment needs to happen first. If the tooth cannot predictably support a crown, we will explain the alternatives.
The tooth is carefully reshaped to create space for the crown. How much preparation is necessary depends on the existing damage, restorative material, tooth position, and crown design. Local anesthesia is used when appropriate to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Digital scanning records the shape of the prepared tooth, surrounding teeth, and bite. That information is used to design the final restoration. For suitable CEREC cases, the crown can then be designed and fabricated at the office.
A crown needs to do more than fit over the tooth. We evaluate the contacts with neighboring teeth, bite, margins, shape, and appearance. A front crown also needs to blend naturally with the teeth around it.
Once the fit and appearance are satisfactory, the restoration is secured to the tooth. We then check the bite again before the appointment is complete.
Meet The LPS Dental Team
LPS Dental's roots in Chicago go back to 1999, when Dr. Jack Manikowski opened Lincoln Park Smiles.
Today, LPS Dental has three Chicago offices and a team whose experience extends across cosmetic, restorative, implant, periodontal, prosthodontic, and general dentistry.
Treatment planning that considers appearance, tooth structure, function, and long-term health together.
Dr. Jack Manikowski is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Digital scanning and planning tools help us evaluate and communicate proposed treatment.
It is normal to have questions before treatment. Here are some of the things patients often want to understand first.
A dental crown is a custom restoration that covers a natural tooth. It is sometimes called a dental cap. Crowns are used when a tooth needs more coverage and support than a conventional filling can provide. They can also form the visible replacement tooth on top of a dental implant.
Common reasons include a large cavity, significantly weakened tooth, large existing filling, fracture, extensive wear, or a tooth that needs protection after certain root canal treatments. The reason should be explained before the tooth is prepared.
That depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains. If there is enough strong tooth to support a filling, that may be the more conservative option. When a tooth has lost substantial structure or its remaining walls are weakened, a crown may provide better protection. Ask your dentist to show you what makes the tooth unsuitable for a smaller restoration.
The tooth is generally numbed with local anesthetic during preparation. You may notice some temporary sensitivity or gum tenderness afterward. Persistent or worsening pain should be reported to your dentist.
A crown requires the tooth to be reshaped so there is room for the restoration. The amount varies with the crown material, existing damage, previous fillings, tooth position, and design. Because tooth structure must be removed, crowns should be recommended for a clear restorative reason.
Crowns are considered long-term restorations, but they should not be described as permanent in the sense of never needing maintenance or replacement. A crown can chip, wear, loosen, fracture, or develop problems around its margins over time. The natural tooth underneath can also still develop decay.
There is no exact lifespan that applies to every crown. Longevity depends on the crown material, tooth condition, bite, grinding habits, oral hygiene, decay risk, and other factors. Regular dental exams help us monitor both the restoration and the tooth supporting it.
The crown itself does not develop tooth decay. The natural tooth underneath and around its margins still can. Cleaning thoroughly around the gumline and between teeth remains important after a crown is placed.
Visit us in Lincoln Park, Downtown Chicago, or Norwood Park. The first appointment should leave you with a clearer picture of your dental health and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
