Crowns and Bridges in Durham, NC
Damaged or missing teeth can significantly impact your quality of life. Not only can you feel self-conscious about your smile, but speaking clearly and chewing may be more difficult, too.
At The Smile Shop, we know how frustrating it can be when an oral issue causes you discomfort or embarrassment. We’re experts at restoring teeth using dental crowns and bridges, allowing you to enjoy eating, socializing, and good oral health again.
Drs. Kate Dolin, Adam Spriggs, and Daphne Toussaint want you to feel at home when you come in to our dental practice, and that’s why we offer a relaxed, friendly environment for every patient. When you need a dental crown or dental bridge in Durham, NC, we’re here to help you regain a smile you love.
If you’re concerned about a tooth or want to replace a missing tooth, call us today to schedule a consultation at The Smile Shop.
Dental Crowns
- What is a dental crown?
- What problems does a dental crown solve?
- What types of dental crowns are there?
- What is the procedure for dental crowns?
- Why do I need a crown instead of a filling?
Dental Bridges
- What does a dental bridge do?
- Why should I replace a missing tooth?
- How do dental bridges stay in place?
- What is the dental bridge process?
- How should I care for my dental bridge?
What is a dental crown?
Your teeth are naturally strong and durable and can normally withstand a lifetime of chewing forces. But when a tooth sustains significant damage due to severe tooth decay, trauma, or another reason, the tooth structure weakens and is at risk.
Fortunately, dental crowns restore teeth to function normally again. Dental crowns are durable restorations that cover the entire tooth and protect it from further damage.
While we try to be as conservative as possible when we treat our patients, sometimes a simple dental filling just isn’t strong enough to repair a decayed or damaged tooth. If you need a dental crown, our dentists will discuss your treatment, answer your questions, and ensure that your experience is positive.
What problems does a dental crown solve?
Dental crowns are a versatile and common way to treat both functional and cosmetic teeth problems.
- Restoring a tooth with significant decay that we can't fix with a tooth filling
- Protecting a fractured or cracked tooth resulting from trauma
- Strengthening a tooth following root canal treatment
- Cosmetically replacing large, unsightly fillings
- Capping a dental implant
- Covering a discolored or misshapen tooth
When you visit The Smile Shop in Durham for a dental exam or consultation, we’ll use x-rays to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a crown. Preserving your natural tooth is always our top priority, and dental crowns provide strength and protection for teeth that need extra help.
What types of dental crowns are there?
Dental crowns are made of durable materials that can withstand the forces of normal chewing and biting down. The most common types of dental crowns are:
- Porcelain (ceramic) — For front teeth that need to blend with natural teeth, porcelain-based materials work best. Porcelain resists wear and is virtually as strong as tooth enamel.
- Porcelain fused to metal — For hidden molars that endure more stress and force from biting down, we may use a metal crown that has a porcelain overlay.
- Gold — The most durable of materials but also the most expensive, gold is the least common material we use.
With proper care, a dental crown can last for many years. However, grinding or clenching your teeth or using your teeth for anything other than chewing food can shorten the lifespan of dental crowns.
What is the procedure for dental crowns in Durham, NC?
We can usually restore your tooth with a dental crown in two appointments. During your first visit, our Durham, NC dentists prepare your natural tooth for the crown and take a detailed impression. Then we send the impression to one of our professional dental laboratories.
The dental lab fabricates your custom dental crown with a fit that is specifically personalized for your tooth and a color that is matched to your natural smile. We will place a temporary dental crown on the tooth until your permanent crown is ready.
During the second appointment, we remove the temporary crown and place the final restoration on your tooth. We thoroughly examine and x-ray the fit and finish to ensure the crown is perfect in every aspect. Once you approve and are 100% satisfied, we permanently cement the dental crown to your tooth.
Most patients are pleasantly surprised to find the dental crown process painless and convenient. If you’re concerned about a tooth, call our Durham, NC dental office to schedule a consultation.
Why do I need a crown instead of a filling?
If you have a cavity, you may wonder why you can’t just get a tooth filling. We place dental crowns instead of tooth fillings in two common situations:
- Teeth with deep decay often have a weakened structure. In this case, we need to strengthen and protect the tooth with a dental crown.
- Teeth with very large fillings may weaken over time. A more reliable and long-term solution is a dental crown that covers the tooth completely.
What does a dental bridge do?
A dental bridge uses a set of three dental crowns to restores a missing tooth. Bridges improve chewing and restore your smile at the same time. The bridge itself is an artificial tooth (called a pontic) held in place by a dental crown on each side (called abutments).
Like dental crowns, dental bridges are custom-fabricated to your individual teeth and smile.
Why should I replace missing a missing tooth?
Millions of Americans have missing teeth and experience the impact on their appearance and self-confidence. But missing teeth can also cause other problems:
- Chewing and digestion challenges
- Speaking difficulties
- Misaligned adjacent teeth that can cause bite issues
- Gum disease and tooth decay
Replacing lost teeth is a health issue not just for your mouth, but for your entire body. At The Smile Shop, we want you to have confidence in your smile. Call us at (919) 941-5549 for a consultation to discuss your options.
How do dental bridges stay in place?
Dental bridges provide stability because they’re connected to a dental crown on each side of the gap.
A bridge is a three-piece unit made of dental crowns. After preparing the two adjacent teeth, we place the unit over the teeth on either side of the gap, which is “bridged” by the middle crown. Once the fit is perfect, we cement the bridge to the adjacent crowns, providing a stable and natural-looking restoration.
What is the dental bridge process?
First, we prepare the teeth on each side of the gap, or abutment teeth, for dental crowns. Next, we take impressions of your teeth, which we’ll send to a dental lab for a customized fit.
When the bridge comes back to our dental office, we’ll check the fit and make adjustments as needed before cementing it to the adjacent dental crowns. Our dentists will ensure that your new dental bridge fits perfectly, giving you a stable and comfortable tooth where you once had a gap.
How should I care for my dental bridge?
Once you have your dental bridge in place, it’s important to be diligent with brushing and flossing around the bridge. A bridge that has food particles caught underneath can lead to gum inflammation and disease and eventually failure of the bridge.
Also, be sure to schedule twice-yearly teeth exams and cleanings with our Durham, NC dentists to help prevent plaque buildup, gum inflammation, and other issues.
Please Call Our Dental Office to Learn More
If you are experiencing symptoms of a cracked tooth, have large fillings or a tooth that you would like to replace, or want to improve your smile esthetically with crowns, be sure to call our Durham, NC dental office. We will be happy to schedule a consultation appointment to provide more information and answer your questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of dental crowns in Durham, NC, varies based on many factors. The type of crown, the number of crowns needed, and the patient’s unique oral health status, and insurance benefits are all considered when determining treatment fees. Pre-treatments can also affect the overall cost of the dental crown procedure.
Types of Dental Crowns and How Much They Cost
Gold Crowns
Dentists often use gold crowns on back teeth because of their strength and durability. The cost of gold crowns ranges between $600–$2,500.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are biocompatible, metal-free, and ideal for front teeth. Porcelain looks the most natural out of all the materials used for crowns. The cost for porcelain crowns ranges between $800–$3,000.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
Porcelain fused to metal crowns are strong, aesthetic, and less costly than porcelain crowns. Their price ranges between $500–$1,500.
Zirconia Crowns
Highly durable and long-lasting, zirconia crowns cost between $800–$3,000.
E-MAX Crowns
E-MAX crowns are a type of all-ceramic crown created from lithium disilicate. They cost anywhere between $800–$3,000.
Do you need a customized dental crown to improve your oral health and match your smile? Please give us a call today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Adam Spriggs at our Durham, NC dental office.
People often wonder how long dental bridges last. However, there is no one correct answer. The longevity of your dental bridge dramatically depends on how well it’s cared for and how often you visit the dentist to ensure its optimal condition.
Your oral care routine, lifestyle, and diet can impact the lifespan of your dental bridge and other oral appliances and devices. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many dental professionals and researchers have also studied the average lifespan, which ranges between five and seven years.
However, practicing excellent oral hygiene and receiving routine dental exams and cleanings can extend the lifespan of your dental bridge to 10 years or more.
The University of Rochester Medical Center agrees that most dental bridges can last longer than ten years––and could even last a patient’s entire lifetime––if the patient maintains excellent oral hygiene and habits.
Custom-Made Dental Bridges in Durham, NC
Do you need to replace one or several missing teeth? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call today so you can speak with Dr. Adam Spriggs about your tooth-replacement options. Our entire team at The Smile Shop wants to help you attain your healthiest, most attractive smile.
We look forward to helping you restore your oral health!
Get the Smile You Want with Cosmetic Dentistry
If you are unhappy with the esthetics of your smile, the first step is to make an appointment with Dr. Dolin, Dr. Spriggs, or Dr. Daphne Toussaint with The Smile Shop. As every person is unique, so are your smiles and teeth. At the consult, we will complete a comprehensive exam to evaluate every aspect of your smile and go over all the options to give you the smile you’ve been dreaming of!
Composite bonding
White composite fillings material can be used to improve the shape of your teeth. Most commonly it is used to fix small chips in your teeth or close gaps between your teeth. Composite bonding is the most conservative option because little to no tooth structure needs to be removed.
Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain partial crowns that are customized to your teeth and cemented onto your tooth. Veneers are great to improve not only the shape of your teeth but also the color.
Crowns
Crowns, sometimes referred to as caps, go all the way around your tooth. Teeth that have had sufficient decay or trauma may benefit from crowns due to their strength. Your smile and teeth can be designed to the perfect shape and color and greatly improved esthetically.
Orthodontics, also known as Braces
Straightening your teeth to a more optimal position can help the esthetics of your smile tremendously. Braces can be performed with traditional metal form brackets or clear Invisalign retainers. Orthodontic treatment is an option that would take the longest to achieve but would be very conservative and long-lasting.
We have plenty of options to improve the shape of your teeth and overall the happiness you have with your smile. Please contact our Durham, NC office today to make an appointment. We look forward to improving your smile
Meet Our Doctors:
Drs. Kate Dolin and Adam Spriggs
We are Drs. Kate Dolin and Adam Spriggs, a husband and wife dental team.
Natives of small towns in West Virginia, we met while attending the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. Prior to dental school, we both practiced as dental hygienists; collectively, we have over 20 years experience in the dental field.
Our mission is to provide personalized comprehensive care in a calm and soothing atmosphere. Dental treatment can be complex and often specific to each individual. We believe patient education is a vital aspect of each visit so informed decisions ...
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