Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Family Dentistry

How can we help you?

Maintaining a problem-free smile isn’t difficult, and with just a little effort on your part, you can enjoy excellent oral health. Dr. Michael and our team want you to feel confident about the decisions you make about your dental care, so we are always happy to answer your questions.

We know that informed patients tend to enjoy better oral health, and that is our ultimate goal. Over the years, we’ve heard many questions from our patients, and some of them are listed below. But there’s so much more to your dental care than we can share here, so please don’t hesitate to contact our dental team if you need more information.

Family Dentistry

You finally got that crown, and now you’re thinking, “What if it falls off?” It’s a common fear, and yes, it can happen, but it’s not the end of the world. At Palatine Complete Dental, we believe in honest answers and calm reassurance.

We’re here to guide you through what to expect, how to prevent it, and how to get your smile back on track.

Can a Dental Crown Fall Off or Come Loose?

There are several reasons a crown can come loose or fall off, including the following:

  • Decay — If the tooth under your crown develops decay, it can cause your crown to loosen.
  • Cement failure — If the cement used to hold the crown in place deteriorates over time, it can loosen or fall off.
  • Trauma — If you sustain an injury, it can dislodge your crown.
  • Bruxism — If you grind your teeth, your crown could break or come loose.
  • Diet — If you eat hard, chewy, or sticky foods, it could loosen your crown.
  • Hard objects — Biting on ice or other hard objects could cause your crown to come off.

Questions about Dental Crowns in Palatine, IL?

We will happily assist you if you need a dentist in Palatine, IL! At Palatine Complete Dental, we aim to help you achieve optimal oral health and keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Please call us at (847) 359-7520 to schedule an appointment.

Yes, you can eat normally with a crown, but we urge you not to do the following:

  • Bite directly into sticky taffy or similar foods with a capped tooth 
  • Chew on hard objects like pens or ice
  • Use your crowned teeth as tools to open bottles or packages
  • Ignore loose or damaged crowns

With smart habits, regular oral hygiene, and dental visits every six months, you can extend the life of your dental crown, which typically lasts a decade or longer.

Reasons You May Need Dental Crowns in Palatine, IL

Dentists recommend crowns for various reasons, and sometimes patients choose them for cosmetic purposes. If you need a dental crown or similar restoration, the dentist will discuss it with you.

Reasons you may need a dental crown include:

  • Capping a weak or previously treated tooth
  • Capping a damaged tooth
  • Lengthening a short tooth
  • Conceal cracks, chips, or other abnormalities
  • Connect the bridge teeth to healthy teeth
  • Capping a single dental implant

Schedule a Consultation with the Dentist Today

If you have a broken tooth or are considering tooth replacement or cosmetic dentistry, tooth crowns may play a role. To get started, please get in touch with a dental team member today at (847) 359-7520 or request an appointment online. 

We are happy to work with LendingClub

Dental anxiety affects millions of people around the world, but our team is here to ensure your comfort is the top priority. If there’s some aspect of your dental care that concerns you, please let us know. Communication is essential so that we can understand your underlying fears and tailor your treatment accordingly.

Patient with dental anxiety at Palatine Complete DentalWho is the best dentist for dental anxiety in Palatine?

Dr. Michael has over 30 years of experience in delivering comfortable, stress-free dentistry at his Palatine dental office. A combination of gentle care and sedation dentistry is usually all it takes for our patients to relax and get the care they need. 

How does nitrous oxide help with dental fear?

We offer nitrous oxide, a gas that you inhale comfortably through a small mask. Nitrous makes you feel a little drowsy and delivers sensations of calmness and well-being. You will be fully conscious throughout your appointment but will feel pleasantly detached from the activity around you. There are no lingering side effects with nitrous, so when your procedure’s finished, you can safely drive yourself home.

Is oral conscious sedation available for deeper anxiety?

Oral sedation is helpful for patients who have deeper dental anxiety. Dr. Mike prescribes a sedative to take before your dental appointment, so you’ll arrive at our office feeling very calm and relaxed. We will make sure you’re comfortable with soothing amenities like neck pillows, blankets, and TVs in our treatment rooms, and your appointment will seem to fly by. However, since the effects of oral sedation stay in your system for several hours, you will need a friend to drive you safely to and from your appointment.

How do I schedule a stress-free appointment in Palatine?

Please don’t let fear of the dentist prevent you from getting the essential oral health care you deserve. Contact our Palatine dental office at (847) 359-7520 today so we can help calm your anxiety and restore your beautiful, healthy smile.

A dental crown that is well-cared for can last 10-15 years or longer. Crowns are a dental restoration that we use at Palatine Complete Dental to restore function to a decayed or broken tooth. A crown is a customized, tooth-shaped porcelain jacket that Dr. Mike places on a damaged tooth to protect it from chewing forces and improve the aesthetics of your smile.

While the porcelain crown won’t decay, the underlying tooth can, and you can also develop periodontal disease around its base. Treatment for either may require removal of the crown, and it’s not always possible to reuse the crown after we’ve resolved the issue. 

dental crowns in palatine ilHow to Care For Your Dental Crown

To get the most longevity out of your crown as possible, you need to take excellent care of your oral health. Brushing twice a day and flossing once removes plaque buildup that leads to cavities and gum disease. If you’re unsure about the best way to clean around your dental work, one of our hygienists will be happy to demonstrate the proper technique.

Dental exams every six months allow Dr. Mike to examine the crown tooth to make sure it’s healthy and also check the condition of the crown itself. You can also protect your crown from damage by avoiding hard, crunchy foods or sticky foods like gummy candies that could loosen it or cause it to come off.

Contact Our Palatine Dental Clinic

If you would like us to check the condition of existing dental crowns, or think you might need to have one placed on a broken or decayed tooth, please call our Palatine dental office to schedule an appointment.

Most healthy patients can maintain their smiles with two dental cleanings and checkups per year, every six months.

woman sitting in dental chair after getting her teeth cleanedPatients struggling with managing periodontal disease may need additional teeth cleanings throughout the year to help them keep their condition under control. Dr. Mike may recommend three or four teeth cleanings throughout the year for patients with gum disease. 

What Happens During My Teeth Cleaning?

When you get your teeth cleaned, your dental hygienist removes the excess plaque buildup from your teeth with special tools. Plaque can sometimes be hard to reach during your regular brushing at home, and plaque buildup can result in tooth decay or gum disease. So it's important to have your hygienist perform regular teeth cleanings to help you protect your smile.

Your dentist will perform a thorough examination during this visit to check for tooth decay, oral cancer, and gum disease. They will also ensure that your current dental fillings and crowns are not breaking down.

Your preventive teeth cleanings and checkups are a great time to discuss your goals and concerns about your smile with your dentist. Your hygienist can also give you tips for effective brushing and flossing at home.

Contact Your Palatine Dentist

Let us help you make the most of your smile! Contact your Palatine dentist today at (847) 359-7520 to schedule your next teeth cleaning and checkup.

One reason that many people experience dental anxiety is because of a fear of injections. We understand that nobody likes shots; however, they’re a necessary part of dental treatment, and we do our best to make them as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

woman smiling in dental chairWarm and Welcoming Dental Office

It helps to have a team of friendly professionals around you who have decades of experience in calming our patients’ fears. Whether it’s a friendly smile, a kind word, or a hand to hold, we are here to do whatever it takes to ensure your comfort in every aspect of your dental care.

Experienced Dentist in Palatine

As a dentist in Palatine with over 30 years of experience, you can be confident that Dr. Michael knows how to ensure your comfort! He has learned and developed many techniques to deliver pain-free injections that our patients say are the most comfortable they’ve ever had.

We Can Help You With Your Dental Anxiety

If you are anxious to the point of skipping an appointment, please let us know. We don’t want anxiety to stand between you and your oral health care, and Dr. Mike may be able to prescribe a calming medication to help you relax before your appointment. 

At Palatine Complete Dental, we have helped many of our patients overcome their dental anxiety and fear of injections. If you need an appointment or have dental work scheduled and have questions, call us, and we’ll provide the comfortable, stress-free care you need.

We Warmly Welcome New Patients