When it comes to enhancing your smile and protecting your dental health, dental crowns are a popular and effective solution. Understanding the role of dental crowns in Charlotte, NC, in maintaining and enhancing your dental health is just one aspect of our comprehensive approach to your smile’s beauty and well-being.
Why You Might Need a Dental Crown
Here are the most common reasons why your dentist might recommend a crown:
• Weakened Teeth: If decay, a large filling, or a crack compromises your tooth’s structure, a crown prevents further damage like breaking.
• Broken or Worn Teeth: Crowns restore the shape and function of severely worn down or broken teeth, improving your bite and smile.
• Support for Fillings: When an old filling is very large, a crown adds strength and prevents the tooth from fracturing.
• Dental Bridges: Crowns are essential for anchoring dental bridges, replacing missing teeth.
Types of Dental Crowns Available
Choosing the right type of dental crown depends on your specific needs, aesthetic preferences, and budget. The common types include:
• Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: Best for front teeth due to their natural color match.
• Gold and Metal Alloys: Durable and strong, ideal for back teeth where the crown needs to withstand significant force from chewing.
• Porcelain Fused to Metal: Offers a stronger bond than regular porcelain and provides a better color match than metal crowns.
The Dental Crown Procedure
The procedure for getting dental crowns in Charlotte, NC, typically involves two visits to the dentist. The first visit includes examining and preparing the tooth, which might involve x-rays and creating a mold of your mouth. The tooth is then filed down or built up to fit the crown properly. A temporary crown is placed while your permanent crown is made. On the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is adjusted as needed before being cemented into place.
Dental crowns offer a blend of cosmetic improvement and functional repair. Whether you’re looking to protect a weakened tooth, restore a damaged one, or simply improve your smile’s appearance, dental crowns offer a reliable solution.