When the shape, size, and strength of a tooth changes or is damaged, a dental crown can restore it. At Colonial Dental Group, our dentists use sophisticated CEREC processes to crown a compromised tooth in a single visit to our Glenview, IL, office. See how Dr. Alexander Quezada and Dr. Danielle Duarte accomplish this.

Keep your tooth

There's nothing like a real tooth. So, if you have deep decay, dental abscess, or fractured and missing enamel, you need to do what you can to keep your tooth. At Colonial Dental Group in Glenview, IL, your dentist offers many restorative procedures. With extensive damage, he or she may advise crowning your tooth.

A crown replaces the missing or injured portions of your tooth above the gum line. Made of superior-quality porcelain, a crown imitates your original tooth's bite, color, and shape. Cemented over your tooth, a crown provides protection, oral function, and excellent smile aesthetics for years to come. Crowns also finish root canal therapy and restore today's best tooth replacements--dental implants.

What is CEREC?

Available from your dentist at the Glenview, IL, office, a CEREC crown is designed, created, and fitted chairside in under two hours. After a qualifying exam, Dr. Quezada or Dr. Duarte skims off the dental damage and filling material, creating a suitable foundation for the crown.

The dentist takes digital impressions with an intra-oral camera and uses this information to design the crown with CAD/CAM processes. CAD/CAM means computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. The CEREC apparatus takes over and mills your crown for about 20 minutes.

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic. This revolutionary process saves you time and produces a superior quality product. It also creates partial crowns (inlays and onlays), bridgework, veneers, and more.

Home care for your crown

Healthline outlines simple ways to care for your crown:

• Floss carefully around your crown every day.
• Brush twice a day. Consider using a dental sensitivity toothpaste.
• Use a bite guard if you grind your teeth.
• Do not chew ice, peanut brittle, or other super-dense foods. Never use your teeth to open bottles or packages.
• See your dentist semi-annually for a check-up and professional cleaning.

Enjoy your renewed smile

At Colonial Dental Group, our dental team treats each patient as an individual with unique needs. We want you to have the best possible smile for life. Crowns are just one of our many states of the art services.

If you have a worrisome tooth, please contact our Glenview, IL, office for a consultation with one of our dentists. Dr. Quezada or Dr. Duarte will be happy to detail your options. Call (847) 729-2233.