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What happens if you chip or lose a tooth? Maybe you have even lost multiple teeth due to age or wear and tear. No one ever wants to lose or damage a tooth, but weakened by a fracture or a large filling, a tooth might not withstand even the simplest activities such as eating. If you have damaged or lost a tooth, your South Charlotte dentist might suggest a crown or bridge, which are artificial replacements used to restore the function and appearance of the damaged or lost tooth. By maintaining or restoring your bite and smile, the effects of tooth damage or loss can be reversed by your South Charlotte dentist. The Basics of Dental Crowns and Bridges Dental crowns are used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Along with strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve the appearance, shape or alignment of your tooth. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for enhanced function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, with other materials including gold, metal, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended to restore your back teeth if needed. However, if you are missing one or more teeth, your dentist in South Charlotte may recommend dental bridges. Commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth, bridges span the space where the teeth are missing and are permanently attached to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth serve as anchors for the bridge and a replacement is attached to the crowns that cover the anchor teeth, called abutments. Porcelain Fused to Metal Materials Conventional porcelain is fused to non-precious, semi-precious or white high noble gold. It is an ideal restoration for the most demanding patients. Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) can be used for all single-unit crowns and bridges. They offer impressive strength and desirable esthetics. PFMs are also very versatile and can be easily designed to fit any type of preparation. From single units to roundhouse bridges, porcelain fused to metal has the versatility for the job. When properly constructed and placed, they are strong, reliable and esthetically pleasing. The porcelains used match your natural teeth, resulting in superior esthetics and strength. All Ceramic Materials A common problem with traditional crowns is the "black line" that often appears at the edges as the gums recede over time. All ceramic crowns and bridges can be placed to restore teeth with minimal breakdown and increased esthetics. The ceramic material is characterized by outstanding stability and strength levels that are significantly higher than other materials. An all-ceramic crown can be created with a reduced thickness of material, which makes for a more favorable treatment choice in areas with limited space. Additionally, all ceramic materials allow for light transmission through the porcelain for better optical, life-like properties and a higher level of esthetics. All ceramic materials continue to evolve in strength and durability, but caution should still be exercised for areas of the mouth requiring heavy function. With proper care, good quality crowns and bridges can last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown or bridge to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration. If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, visit your South Charlotte dentist today for further diagnosis and treatment planning.
Richards and Tripp Dentistry, dentist in South Charlotte, is owned and operated by Drs. Richards, Tripp and Brun. These South Charlotte dentists are licensed general dentists in the state of North Carolina, providing dental procedures including teeth whitening, dental implants, and porcelain veneers.
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