Dental Crowns in Chicago
Repair Cracked or Broken Teeth Fast With Reliable Tooth Caps
A single damaged tooth can make everyday tasks — from enjoying a crisp apple to laughing with friends — feel uncomfortable and stressful. At Contos Smile Center, our top Chicago dentists combine skill, precision, and care to bring your smile back to life. Whether your tooth has a chip, crack, or significant wear, a custom dental crown can protect it and enhance your appearance.
Patients from nearby communities like Evanston, Oak Park, and Cicero trust our team for lasting results and a comfortable experience. Don’t wait to regain your confidence — call us today at (773) 973-0531 and schedule your consultation at our dentist’s office with Dr. Contos.
Local Dentistry, Local Eats: Chicago Deserves Your Best Smile
At Contos Smile Center, under the care of Dr. Contos, we believe restoring your tooth means restoring your full smile — the kind of smile that lets you dig into delicious meals, laugh with friends, and enjoy life in Chicago without hesitation. After your new crown treatment, your tooth feels natural again, giving you the freedom to enjoy foods and restaurants you may’ve avoided when chewing was difficult.
- Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, a classic Chicago steakhouse at 1028 North Rush Street, is known for top‑quality Angus beef and delicious steaks.
- Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf, a vintage‑style, jazz‑tinged steakhouse at 218 W. Kinzie St., where wet‑aged steaks, steak frites, and fine dining meet a cozy vibe.
- Lem’s Bar‑B‑Q, a legendary South Side barbecue spot at 311 E. 75th Street, is famous for rib tips, hot links, and smoky Chicago‑style barbecue that hits just right when your teeth are strong again.
At Contos Smile Center, every dental crown becomes more than a restoration. It becomes a passport back into enjoying the city’s flavors again. Call us at (773) 973‑0531 to start your journey to a healthy smile and to rediscover Chicago’s best bites.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap shaped like a natural tooth. Once crafted, the tooth cap is placed over your prepared tooth, restoring its original shape, size, and function. Whether you need a crown because of a large dental filling, root canal treatment, fracture, or cosmetic concern, this solution offers durability and aesthetic appeal. The main types of dental crowns include ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, metal (gold or alloy), zirconia, and resin.
When Are Dental Crowns Recommended?
Dr. Contos may recommend a permanent crown in several crucial situations:
- Protecting a Weak Tooth: A crown fortifies a tooth weakened by significant decay or a large filling, preventing it from fracturing under the pressure of biting and chewing.
- Restoring a Fractured Tooth: For teeth that are cracked, chipped, or broken, a crown holds the remaining structure together, sealing it against bacteria and restoring its proper shape.
- Completing Root Canal Treatment: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy often become brittle. A crown is placed over the treated tooth to provide long-term protection and stability.
- Covering Misshapen or Severely Discolored Teeth: For cosmetic reasons, a crown can be used to dramatically improve the aesthetics of a tooth that is permanently stained or poorly shaped, contributing to a full smile makeover.
- Anchoring a Dental Bridge or Capping a Dental Implant: Crowns are placed on the teeth adjacent to a gap to hold a dental bridge securely in place, replacing missing teeth.
Benefits of Dental Crown Procedures
Ceramic crowns and porcelain crowns offer several benefits for patients in Chicago seeking to restore the health and beauty of their smiles. Here are some of the key advantages of the dental crown procedure:
- Restored Functionality: Dental crowns can rebuild the strength, size, and shape of your tooth, allowing you to bite and chew comfortably, which is especially crucial for teeth weakened by decay or large tooth fillings.
- Enhanced Smile Aesthetics: Discolored, chipped, or misshapen teeth can significantly impact your smile’s appearance. Crowns act as a cosmetic cover-up, masking these imperfections and creating a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
- Improved Tooth Protection: Dental crowns act as a protective barrier, safeguarding weakened or cracked teeth from further damage and potential extraction.
- Long-lasting Solution: With proper care and maintenance, dental crowns are highly durable and can last many years.
- Material Options: Metal, gold, or zirconia crowns are the strongest options for teeth that undergo a lot of pressure.
The Dental Crown Process Near You
When you choose Dr. Contos and our modern dental practice in Chicago, IL, you receive a methodical, comprehensive treatment plan designed for lasting success.
- Comprehensive Assessment: Your journey begins with a thorough examination, including digital X-rays and a discussion of your smile goals. Dr. Contos carefully assesses the health of the tooth and the surrounding bone structure to determine the ideal course of action and the best material for your crown. The dentist will take X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and the surrounding bone.
- Tooth Preparation and Digital Impressions: The tooth receiving the crown is gently prepared to allow the crown to fit seamlessly without looking bulky. We then use our advanced intraoral scanner to capture a precise digital impression.
- Temporary Protection: A temporary crown is placed to protect your prepared tooth and maintain your smile’s appearance while your permanent restoration is being crafted.
- Final Placement: Once your permanent, custom-made crown arrives from the lab, Dr. Contos removes the temporary crown and checks the fit, bite, and shade one final time.
Aftercare and Maintenance Tips for Dental Crowns
After receiving a crown in place from Dr. Contos at Contos Smile Center in Chicago, IL, proper care helps your crown last and keeps your smile healthy.
- Brush and Floss Gently: Focus on the crown margins and use a soft-bristled toothbrush; slide floss carefully to avoid dislodging the crown.
- Rinse Wisely: An antimicrobial mouthwash helps protect gums and reduce plaque.
- Watch What You Eat: Enjoy cooked vegetables, lean meats, and soft fruits.
- Protect Your Crown: Use a night guard if you grind teeth, and wear a mouthguard for sports.
- Regular Check-ups: Visit Dr. Contos every six months for exams and cleanings for optimal oral hygiene.
Financing Dental Crown Costs in Chicago
Contos Smile Center understands that dental crowns can be an investment. We offer a variety of financing options to make your treatment affordable:
- Insurance: We accept most major dental insurance plans and will work with your insurance company to maximize your coverage.
- Patient Payment Plans: We offer flexible payment plans tailored to your needs.
- Credit Cards: We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express for your convenience.
- Outside Financing: CareCredit and Lending Club allow you to spread out the cost of treatment over time with affordable monthly payments.
- Cost Considerations: Costs of dental crowns vary significantly by material, and it is essential to discuss budget and check insurance coverage with your dentist.
We’re committed to working with you to find a financing option that fits your budget. Contact us today at (773) 973-0531 to learn more and schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper oral hygiene—consistent brushing, flossing, and regular checkups—a high-quality dental crown placed by Dr. Contos can last for well over a decade, just like normal teeth and often for 15 years or more. Longevity depends on the material chosen, your overall health, and avoiding behaviors like chewing on ice or hard candies. Metal crowns rarely chip, for example, but resin crowns offer enhanced appearance.
No, getting a dental crown is not painful, as we focus on maximizing patient comfort. The procedure is performed using a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the area, so you should not feel any pain during the treatment. Afterward, it is common to have mild soreness or sensitivity, which is typically managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relievers and resolves quickly.
One of the major benefits of a modern dental crown is that its maintenance is virtually identical to that of your natural teeth. You should brush twice a day, floss daily (paying close attention to the gum line around the crown), and maintain your scheduled professional cleanings and examinations with Dr. Contos and our team. If you notice a loose crown, call our office right away so we can adjust the way your crown fits.
Yes — we match shade, shape, and translucency carefully so the crown blends seamlessly with surrounding teeth. Many patients comment that their crown feels and looks like their natural tooth. Metal crowns and stainless steel crowns from dental labs sacrifice appearance for enhanced durability.
Imagine Smiling with Confidence Again with Restorative Dentistry
You deserve to laugh easily, chew comfortably, and speak clearly — without worrying about cracked or weak teeth. At Contos Smile Center in Chicago, IL, Dr. Contos is ready to help you reclaim that confidence. Common worries about tooth-shaped caps — look, fit, biting and chewing forces, longevity, tooth structure, and how it aligns with your opposing teeth — are addressed carefully by our team.
If you’ve delayed restoring a damaged tooth, now is the time to act. Call our Chicago dental office at (773) 973-0531 and take the first step toward a strong, beautiful smile.
Our Vision
We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and quality to our patient community by cultivating strong relationships, communicating thoughtful treatment solutions, and providing an enjoyable atmosphere, we can empower our patients to take ownership of their oral health.
We are committed to researching and offering state-of-the-art dental solutions in order to deliver the most advanced treatment options to our patients.