Pryor Dental

The Dental Practice of Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr. DMD

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(336) 765-7477

General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

3455 Healy Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27103-1442

Pryor Dental > Services > Dental Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges are versatile restorations we use for a number of cosmetic and restorative procedures!

Restore and Repair Teeth with Dental Crowns

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Crowns and Bridges in Winston-Salem

Serving the Winston-Salem community

Smiling dental patient wearing dental crowns in Winston Salem NC Many people take healthy teeth for granted. But even with regular care, wear and tear may take their toll, and you lose a tooth or suffer dental damage. If this happens to you, rest assured that Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr. has created high-quality, durable dental restorations for over 30 years.

We customize crowns and bridges that restore your smile, confidence, and ability to speak and eat comfortably.

Dental Crowns in Winston-Salem, NC

A dental crown is a durable porcelain cap covering a damaged tooth like a hard hat while mimicking its appearance and function. While Dr. Pryor may recommend a crown for several reasons, what they all share in common is that your tooth is too damaged for a filling or inlay, yet with enough remaining structure to support the crown.

A dental crown may also be incorporated into a dental bridge or complete a dental implant. In addition, since our porcelain crowns resemble your tooth, we can also use them for aesthetic purposes such as improving shape, size, or color.

Improving Your Smile with Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that entirely covers a damaged or decayed tooth. This common dental restoration keeps your natural tooth intact while helping you achieve a functional, beautiful smile. Here are some of the benefits of dental crowns:

Durability

With proper care, your dental crown can last up to 15 years or more. Dental crowns are stain-resistant and strong enough to withstand day-to-day use.

Appearance

A dental crown can enhance your smile’s natural beauty. Because we match your crown to your other teeth, it will blend seamlessly and look fantastic.

Functionality

When you cover your weakened tooth with a dental crown, it will function just like your other teeth. You’ll be able to bite down and chew with ease.

Protection

Often used after root canal therapy, your new dental crown protects your tooth from further damage, including erosion, wear and tear, and tooth decay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a crown instead of a filling?

If you have a root canal treatment or trauma to your tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to prevent breakage or save your tooth from extraction.

Root Canal Treatment in Winston-Salem

We use root canal treatment to clear away deep root infections. Without this treatment, the infection can spread, compromise your neighboring teeth, and give you a severe toothache with jaw swelling.

After your dentist in Winston-Salem clears away the deep root infection, we close the area with a temporary filling to promote healing. At your next dental visit, we provide a tooth-colored filling if the tooth is stable. However, if the tooth is vulnerable to breakage, your dentist typically recommends a dental crown, which creates a buffer zone between your bite and your weak tooth.

For deep decay that compromises your tooth's stability, your dentist may also recommend a dental crown instead of a filling.

If you do have a dental crown, you only have to brush and floss as usual. A tooth crown does not require special care and can be treated like a natural tooth. Of course, you’ll want to visit your dentist regularly for dental exams and teeth cleanings.

A Dental Crown Can Save Your Tooth

If you have a weak or broken tooth, contact our dental office to schedule an exam.

What is the procedure and purpose of a dental crown?

Dental crowns in Winston Salem, NC, are quality tooth covers customized to look like your untreated teeth. They offer a variety of practical and necessary purposes across dentistry.

Dental Crown Procedure

The procedure varies depending on the reason for your crowning. In most cases, capping a tooth with a dental crown involves preparing it by removing old filling material and jagged bits of enamel.

Once the tooth is smooth, your dentist cements the crown and provides final adjustments. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure.

Dental Crown Purpose

A dental crown covers a prepared tooth to the gumline, protecting and restoring it. It also conceals cosmetic issues and tops a dental implant post after healing. Additionally, two dental crowns may anchor a dental bridge to healthy teeth.

You care for your crown by adopting an excellent oral care routine at home and visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and teeth cleanings.

Contact Your Winston Salem, NC Dentist

Dental crowns save and restore teeth. They conceal tooth flaws. And they even play a role in tooth replacement through dental implants and bridge work. To learn more or to arrange a consultation, contact us today.

We offer an exclusive in-house savings plan for our uninsured patients!

What is the typical lifespan of a dental crown?

The answer to this question really depends a lot on how you care for your crown. However, most porcelain crowns can last seven to 15 years with proper home care and regular dental checkups.

Here are some tips on promoting a longer lifespan for your crown.

Consistent Home Care

Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once removes the plaque buildup that can be detrimental to the health of your crown. Consider using an electric toothbrush to do the hard work for you.

An antibacterial mouth rinse may also help reduce plaque buildup that can harm your smile.

Routine Preventive Visits with Your Winston-Salem Dentist

Visiting your dentist every six months for preventive teeth cleanings and checkups helps to protect your smile because we can identify problems early on. Your dentist will also check the health of your restorations and ensure there's no problematic damage or wear.

Avoid Biting Directly Into Hard Foods

Cut hard foods like crusty bread, carrots, and apples into smaller pieces so you don't risk damaging a tooth or restoration by biting into it directly.

If you have additional questions about dental crowns in Winston-Salem, please get in touch with our team at (336) 765-7477.

How are dental crowns used?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that goes over a treated tooth. It is also used in cosmetic dentistry, tooth replacement, and prosthetic therapies.

At Pryor Dental, we rely on quality materials to customize our tooth crowns. Your dentist in Winston-Salem, NC also makes sure the crown is colored and shaped to blend easily with surrounding teeth. And we make sure it is both functional and beautiful.

In our dental office, we use dental crowns for a variety of purposes.

If you have root canal treatment or a damaged tooth, the typical course means clearing away the infection or deep decay and caping the treated tooth with a dental crown. This prevents fractures and additional deterioration.

We can also use a tooth crown to hide a flawed or discolored tooth to enhance the appearance of your smile.

If you have a missing tooth and decide on a dental implant to restore your smile, a dental crown caps your implant and acts as your new tooth.

Additionally, we can use dental crowns on health adjacent teeth to secure a bridge of restorations, which closes your smile gap.

For Dental Crowns in Winston-Salem, Call Our Dental Office

To learn more about dental crowns or schedule a consultation, reach out to a dental team member today.

Can I eat normally with a dental crown?

Yes, you can generally eat normally with a dental crown. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. While dental crowns are designed to withstand the full forces of chewing and biting, certain foods can cause discomfort or damage a crown and should be consumed with caution or avoided altogether.

These include especially hard foods like nuts, ice, and hard candies. All of these, along with things like olive pits and unpopped popcorn kernels, can potentially chip or crack the crown if directly bitten down upon. Similarly, sticky or chewy foods like caramel or taffy can elevate the risk of a dislodged dental crown.

It's advisable to consume these items with caution. Also, excessive grinding or clenching of teeth, especially while eating or sleeping, can put extra stress on a crown and, over time, potentially compromise its integrity.

To protect your dental crown and ensure its longevity, make sure to practice good oral hygiene and avoid biting down on hard objects. Also, make sure to discuss any habits you have that could put your dental crowns at risk with your dentist at your semi-annual dental checkups so that they can be addressed promptly!

Precisely Placing Dental Crowns in Winston-Salem, NC

If you’re looking for a top-quality dental care team in Winston-Salem, NC, to help you maximize the effectiveness and longevity of your dental crowns, contact Dr. Peter Pryor and the caring and knowledgeable Pryor Dental team to schedule a consultation!

Your Dental Crown Procedure for Most Restorations

Diagram of a dental bridge in Winston Salem NC The first step is a comprehensive exam with Dr. Pryor so they can assess your needs. If he recommends a restoration that uses a dental crown, our team will take impressions of your damaged tooth, which the lab uses to create your permanent crown. Then, while the lab fabricates your restoration, we will fit you with a temporary crown.

After about two weeks, you will return to our dental office, where Dr. Pryor will cement your new, high-quality dental crown, adjusting it for an ideal fit.

Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth

A dental bridge is an oral prosthetic that we customize to fill the space left by a missing tooth. It both restores your smile’s appearance and recovers the function of your lost tooth.

We typically create a dental bridge as a three-piece unit that includes an artificial tooth (pontic) suspended between two anchor points. If the teeth on either side of the gap are healthy, we can attach your bridge to them, often reinforcing them with dental crowns to provide support. The result is a complete smile that allows you to go back to eating your favorite foods and smiling with confidence.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr.

Dr. Peter Pryor Jr. was born and raised on a small farm outside Lexington, Kentucky. He completed his undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Psychology at Wake Forest University. Following his graduation, he briefly resided on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and worked as a dental assistant. This life experience largely contributed to Dr. Pryor's decision to pursue a career in dental medicine. Dr. Pryor graduated from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, in 2015, and served as an extern within the Seneca Nation Health System, in Irving, New York, prior to this graduation. He ...

Dental Bridge Lifespan and Care Plan

Diagram of a dental implant with crown near 27103 Like any other type of restoration, a dental bridge has a lifespan. If you commit to excellent oral health, brushing and flossing daily, and keeping routine dental exams and cleanings, this will support the health of your bridge’s anchor teeth. Proper care may help your bridge last a decade or more.

Dental Implants Are a More Modern Tooth Replacement

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root surgically placed in your jaw and allowed to heal. During a process called osseointegration, the implant fuses securely with the bone tissue. When the process is complete, we attach a restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture to restore function and appearance.

Bridges and implants both serve the same purpose – replace a missing tooth – but each goes about it in a very different way.

Dental Crowns and Bridges with Your Winston Salem Dentist

We encourage you to make an appointment to discuss your options and learn more about which dental restoration might work best for you. Call Pryor Dental today and begin the journey to a new and rebuilt smile.

Featured Blog Posts - Dental Crowns & Bridges

September 23, 2024

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