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Carolina Smiles Dental Center: Crowns & Bridges |
CROWNS: Crowns may become necessary for a variety of reasons. There are a few options for crowns. They can be all porcelain (very esthetic for front teeth), gold (a good option for back teeth, especially for people who grind), or porcelain fused to metal (our most common crown). Crowns can reshape teeth to a more ideal look. Also, they may become necessary when a tooth has an extremely expansive cavity or for a tooth that is mostly filling. Crowns are used to restore teeth when fillings are no longer an option. Sometimes, teeth can get cracks or fracture lines in them. This is usually the result of grinding, ice crunching or old, large fillings. Sometimes these teeth begin to hurt when exposed to cold and certain other stimuli. A crown is indicated for this “cracked tooth syndrome” as a method to remove the crack and seal the tooth.
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Crowns are usually done in 2 office visits. The first visit is to prep the tooth for a crown, make an impression for the lab, and place the tooth in temporary crown. This takes about 90 minutes. The lab takes about 2 weeks to make the crown. The second appointment is to deliver the crown. Bridges are done in a similar manner, but may require a bit more chair time. |
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Bridges
Do you feel insecure about your smile because you have gaps or missing teeth? Do you experience difficulty chewing or speaking? Are you looking for a more permanent, less obvious alternative to dentures? If so, consider bridges. Bridges---lightweight structures lined with natural-looking crowns----are anchored into place, filling gaps discreetly and providing strong support.
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