Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental crowns are a versatile and durable solution for restoring damaged or weakened teeth. At Palatine Complete Dental, Dr. Michael uses custom-crafted crowns to strengthen, protect, and improve the appearance of your smile. A common question our patients ask us before treatment is: Are dental crowns covered by insurance?

So, Does Dental Insurance Cover Crowns?

In most cases, dental insurance at least partially covers crowns. This typically depends on the specifics of your plan and the reason for your treatment. If the crown is considered medically necessary, like when restoring a tooth after a root canal, protecting a broken tooth, or replacing a large filling, your insurance typically covers a portion (usually 40–80%) of the cost. Your annual maximum, deductible, and waiting periods may also affect your out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, if your reason for getting a crown is primarily (or purely) cosmetic, coverage may be limited or unavailable.  

If you have questions specific to your case, our friendly team here at Palatine Complete Dental is happy to review your benefits, discuss your options before treatment begins, and submit claims on your behalf!

Durable, Natural-Looking Dental Crowns in Palatine, IL

If you’re in Palatine and want to restore your smile with strong, beautiful dental crowns, contact Dr. Michael and the trusted team at Palatine Complete Dental to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you achieve lasting results with comfort and confidence.

Unfortunately, a porcelain crown will not respond to whitening. Just like you would with your natural teeth, it's best to avoid tooth-staining foods to protect the brightness of your porcelain restorations, whether they're crowns, veneers, or bridges. 

Some of the culprits for tooth stains are:

• Black coffee and tea
• Red wine
• Dark colas
• Curries
• Soy sauce
• Dark berries, like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries

You don't have to remove these items from your diet completely. Instead, drink plenty of water while consuming them and brush your teeth 30 minutes after, if you can, for the best results.

Preventive Teeth Cleanings Protect Your Smile

Visiting your dentist every six months for preventive teeth cleanings and exams is another way to maintain a bright and white smile. Your dental hygienist can remove a lot of the stains and bacteria from your teeth that you might've missed at home. Your hygienist will also have recommendations for tips, techniques, and products that can protect your smile from discoloration.  

Your dentist will inspect your teeth and restorations for any signs of wear or breakdown that could become problematic in the future, ensuring your smile remains in optimal condition. 

Do You Have Questions about Dental Crowns in Palatine, IL?

Contact your Palatine "dentist near me" at (847) 359-7520 for more information. 

At Palatine Complete Dental, we offer in-office whitening if you are on a tight timeline for a big event like a wedding, reunion, or big job interview. Otherwise, we recommend customized take-home whitening kits that you use to whiten at home over a two-week period.

Effectiveness of Professional Teeth Whitening in Palatine

If you’re considering using store-bought whitening kits, you should know that professional teeth whitening offers several significant benefits. Since your treatment is monitored by a dentist, we can prescribe a higher strength whitening gel that’s more potent than those you purchase over-the-counter. We take impressions of your teeth to create a whitening tray that’s customized to cover all surfaces of your teeth evenly to ensure beautiful, consistent results.

We’ll instruct you to place the whitening gel in the trays and wear them for about 20-30 minutes a day for two weeks. Since the gel is in contact with your teeth for a longer period than it is during in-office whitening, custom trays tend to produce more brilliant, longer-lasting results.

Brighten Yellow and Stained Teeth

With professional teeth whitening in Palatine, we can whiten yellow teeth and lift stains and discoloration. If your tooth staining is resistant to whitening, we can also talk to you about using bonding or veneers to conceal stains and brighten your smile.

Please call Palatine Complete Dental to schedule a dental cleaning so we can determine which treatment approach is right for you.

Dental bonding is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair teeth or enhance the appearance of your smile. It involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the target area, shaping it, and then hardening it with a special light to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Dental Issues Dental Bonding Can Fix

• Chipped or Cracked Teeth — Dental bonding can repair chips, fractures, and cracks.
• Gaps Between Teeth — Dental bonding can fill gaps or spacing between teeth, creating a more uniform smile.
• Worn Teeth — If you grind your teeth at night or your teeth are worn down, dental bonding can build up and strengthen your teeth. 
• Stained or Discolored Teeth — Dental bonding can cover stains and discoloration, giving you a whiter smile.
• Uneven Tooth Surfaces — Dental bonding can smooth out irregularities and improve the overall texture and appearance of your teeth.

Does Dental Bonding Hurt?

Dental bonding is generally painless. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the process, and it typically can be completed in one visit. 

We Offer Customized Dental Bonding in Palatine

If you want to improve your smile, please contact our dentist in Palatine to see if dental bonding is right for you! You can call us at (847) 359-7520! 

In a word? Yes!

Thanks to modern digital dentistry, many patients can now receive a custom crown in just one appointment. At Palatine Complete Dental, Dr. Michael and our expert team use advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to design, fabricate, and place durable, natural-looking crowns right in the office. This eliminates the need for temporary crowns, messy impressions, and multiple visits, providing patients with a faster, more comfortable restorative experience.

How Same-Day Crowns Work

Same-day crowns leverage digital scanning and in-office milling to streamline the entire process. Instead of taking traditional impressions, Dr. Mike uses a handheld digital scanner to capture an accurate 3D model of your tooth. This model is uploaded directly into specialized design software, allowing for fabrication of a custom crown that matches the shape and color of your natural teeth and fits seamlessly into your bite.

Once the design is ready, the crown is created on-site using a high-strength ceramic block. The milling unit produces a precise restoration in under an hour, which Dr. Mike then adjusts and bonds in place. The result is a crown that looks and feels like a natural tooth. All in a single visit!

The Convenience of Same-Day Crowns

Same-day crowns also reduce the disruptions that come with traditional crown placement. There’s no waiting weeks for a dental lab, no dealing with a temporary crown coming loose, and no need to rearrange your schedule for a second appointment. 

Fast, Comfortable Restorative Care in Palatine, IL

If you’re in Palatine and want to learn more about the game-changing convenience of same-day dental crowns and their benefits, contact Dr. Mike and the caring, skilled Palatine Complete Dental team to schedule a consultation.

That answer varies greatly with each patient and their eating and home care habits. However, with the proper home care, the results of professional teeth whitening with your dentist typically last approximately 10 to 12 months before needing an update.

You can take steps at home to protect your results and maintain your bright new smile. Here's what you should know. 

How to Maintain Professional Teeth Whitening

Here are a few helpful and easy tips for maintaining your whitening results. 

• Brush and floss consistently — Brushing twice daily and flossing once will help protect your smile and your teeth from stains or discoloration.
• Avoid tooth-staining foods and drinks — Limiting your consumption of foods like dark berries, curries, soy sauce, and marinara sauce; and beverages, such as black coffee or tea, red wine, and dark cola.
• Drink plenty of water — Drinking water helps to clear excess debris from your mouth after meals, keeps you hydrated, and counteracts tooth-staining drinks.
• Visit your Palatine dentist for a professional teeth cleaning — Consistent teeth cleanings every six months protect your bright smile.

If you have more questions about professional teeth whitening in Palatine, IL, contact our team at (847) 359-7520 for more information. We can't wait to see you smile!

Many patients wonder how effective professional teeth whitening in Palatine, IL, really is. Is it worth the cost? How bright will my smile be?

We're so glad you asked, and the answers to these questions often depend on each patient's unique circumstances. For example, a tobacco user may experience different results than someone who doesn't smoke or use tobacco products. However, most patients find that their teeth become about 6 to 10 shades lighter with professional teeth whitening.

Professional Teeth Whitening at Palatine Complete Dental

Your results may also depend on the type of teeth whitening service you choose. At Palatine Complete Dental, we offer in-office teeth whitening, which delivers quick results, and take-home whitening that brightens teeth over time. 

In-office whitening takes place in our dental office and delivers quick results in about 60 to 90 minutes. We place a protective barrier around your gums and then apply a high-strength bleaching gel to your teeth. We might repeat this step depending on the level of staining or discoloration you're dealing with. 

For take-home whitening, we take impressions of your teeth to create custom plastic bleaching trays. We provide high-strength bleaching gel that you'll apply to your trays at home. Most patients achieve their desired results by wearing the trays 30 minutes a day for 7 to 14 days. 

Talk with our team at (847) 359-7524 for more information about professional teeth whitening.