Crowns & Bridges in Chicago, IL

A traditional crown is completed over two visits set about two to three weeks apart. At the first, the tooth is shaped and impressions are taken; at the second, your permanent crown is cemented into place. A temporary crown protects the tooth in between.

If you would rather not wait, our CEREC technology lets many crowns be scanned, designed, milled, and placed during a single appointment. Dr. Raffi can tell you whether your tooth is a good candidate for the same-day approach.

The tooth and the surrounding area are thoroughly numbed before any work starts, so during the appointment you should feel pressure and movement rather than pain. Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the process is.

After the anesthesia wears off, it is common to notice mild sensitivity for a few days, especially to hot or cold. This usually settles on its own and responds well to over-the-counter pain relief. If discomfort lingers or your bite feels off, let us know so we can fine-tune the crown.

With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, crowns and bridges commonly last 10 to 15 years, and many keep going well beyond that. How long yours lasts depends on a handful of factors:

• How consistently you brush and floss, including under a bridge
• The forces your bite places on the restoration
• Whether you grind or clench your teeth
• Keeping up with routine checkups so small issues are caught early

Treating a crown or bridge like a natural tooth is the surest way to get the most years out of it.

Yes. Dr. Raffi carefully matches the color, shape, and translucency of your crown to the teeth around it, so it disappears into your smile rather than standing out.

Today's all-ceramic and zirconia crowns are especially lifelike. They reflect light much the way natural enamel does, which is why most crowns are virtually impossible to pick out, even up close.

A crown wraps around and covers the entire tooth, which makes it the right choice when a tooth needs genuine structural repair after a large fracture, heavy decay, or a root canal. It rebuilds strength as well as appearance.

A veneer, by contrast, is a thin shell bonded only to the front surface of a tooth and used mainly to improve how it looks. Because it covers so much less of the tooth, it is reserved for cosmetic changes rather than structural ones. Dr. Raffi will recommend whichever option best fits the condition of your tooth and your goals.

Yes. A bridge can span one to three missing teeth in a row, depending on how strong the anchoring teeth on either side are. The healthier and more stable those supporting teeth, the more the bridge can reliably carry.

For wider gaps or several missing teeth, an implant-supported solution often provides better support and spares the neighboring teeth from extra strain. Dr. Raffi will look at the length of the gap and the health of the surrounding teeth before recommending the most durable option.

The cost varies with the material you choose, how many teeth are involved, and whether any additional treatment, such as a root canal or a build-up, is needed first. Because every case is different, we provide a detailed estimate before treatment rather than a one-size-fits-all price.

Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown and bridge treatment, and we file the paperwork on your behalf at our Chicago and Bourbonnais, IL offices. If you have a balance or no coverage, our financing options offer flexible payment plans to keep care within reach.