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When Crowns and Bridges Are Necessary

Crowns and bridges provided by your Shelby, NC, dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, offer important benefits for your smile. The restorations can fill gaps in your smile, restore damaged teeth, and even change the appearance of an unattractive tooth.

How crowns and bridges help your smile

Crowns are hollow restorations that fit over the tops of your teeth, covering them on all four sides. Before you receive a crown, your dentist reduces the size of your tooth to ensure that the crown will fit comfortably. He'll also make an impression of your mouth that will be used to create a natural-looking crown.

The restorations are made of durable materials that look just like natural tooth enamel. Porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic, and resin are often used to make crowns.

During a visit to the Shelby dental office, your dentist may recommend a crown if:

  • Your Tooth Is Broken or Fractured: In addition to changing your appearance, a broken tooth can make eating difficult and may cut your mouth, lips, or tongue. Broken teeth may also be painful if they aren't covered by a crown. Once a crown is added, your tooth will look exactly as it did before it broke.
  • You Have a Fragile Tooth: Teeth can weaken due to the natural effects of aging, cracks, and certain dental procedures, such as large fillings and root canal therapy. Adding a crown to your tooth strengthens it and prevents it from breaking.
  • You're Unhappy with the Appearance of a Tooth: A crown can be a good option if you don't like the way your tooth looks. Adding a crown straightens a crooked or twisted tooth, extends a short tooth, and conceals discolorations and other flaws.
  • You're Restoring a Missing Tooth with a Dental Implant: Dental crowns are connected to dental implants to create new teeth. Just like natural tooth roots, your implants are securely attached to your jawbone, giving your new tooth the strength it needs to bite and chew all types of foods.

Bridges restore one or two missing teeth. They're made up of artificial teeth attached to crowns on either side. The crown sections of the bridge fit over supporting teeth on either side of the gap in your mouth, firmly anchoring your bridge. Bridges improve your appearance, prevent other teeth from shifting, and make eating much easier.

Could crowns and bridges help your smile? Call your dentist in Shelby, NC, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, at (704) 484-0077 to schedule your appointment.

Dentist in Shelby, NC
Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS,
PA
511 N. Morgan Street
Shelby, NC 28150
Phone: (704) 484-0077
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