Hopewell Family Dentistry

Dr. Patrick Carter

3454 N. Hwy. 81
Anderson, SC 29621

Schedule an Appointment

(864) 760-1611

3454 N. Hwy. 81

Anderson, SC

Schedule An Appointment

Hopewell Family Dentistry > Services > Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges

Our natural-looking restorations can help repair your broken or missing teeth.

We Restore Broken, Missing, and Decayed Teeth

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Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges in Anderson, SC

Anderson man smiling after getting dental crowns Chewing, grinding, and accidents can all take their toll on your teeth. While your natural teeth are strong, they are not indestructible, and sometimes they sustain damage or need to be removed because of disease or an accident.

We know that this time can be particularly stressful for our patients, but we can help and will be here to repair your smile and your comfort!

Tooth-Colored Fillings

A cavity should not scar your smile for life.

At Hopewell Family Dentistry, Dr. Patrick Carter creates highly esthetic tooth-colored fillings to seal your tooth after removing a cavity. Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite fillings, come in a wide variety of shades to match your teeth.

They are also less invasive than silver amalgam fillings because we don't have to remove as much healthy tooth structure to make them stable. Additionally, because they are made of a mixture of BPA-free plastic and microscopic glass particles, they are not subject to expansion and contraction with temperature changes like their metal predecessors.

Protective Dental Crowns in Anderson, SC

When you crack a tooth or have deep decay, a filling may not give your tooth enough support. A filling seals your tooth but does little to protect the structure, especially when damage occurs.

A dental crown, on the other hand, will completely cover and stabilize your tooth. It will absorb some of the force from chewing and prolong the life of the tooth by years (or even decades!) with the proper care.

Dental Crown Treatment

As with all treatment, Dr. Patrick Carter will make sure you are completely comfortable and numb before we begin. He will then remove any decay or damaged tooth structure and prepare your tooth for a crown.

Dental crowns come in a variety of materials including gold, porcelain mixed with metal, and full porcelain varieties. Many of our patients prefer porcelain crowns because they blend in with your smile and look like a natural tooth.

Dr. Carter will cover your tooth with a temporary crown while our highly skilled dental lab creates your permanent one. In a few weeks, we will have you back for a final fitting and make any adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite.

Dental Bridges to Fill in the Gap

If you have a missing tooth and want an alternative to a dental implant, dental bridges have filled the gaps from missing teeth for decades. The procedure is much like that of a dental crown because we place crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap, which then suspend an artificial tooth in place to complete your smile. Dental bridges help hold your teeth in place and prevent the shifting that occurs when you lose a tooth.

Dr. Carter designs dental bridges to match your natural teeth so that your smile is attractive and uniform. Having a complete smile adds confidence when you eat, speak, and smile!

Do You Have a Damaged or Missing Tooth?

Contact Hopewell Family Dentistry today. Our office is located in Anderson, SC, and we welcome new patients of all ages! We look forward to seeing your smile.

Dental Crowns

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get cavities?

A cavity is created by a process termed “caries,” which is the destruction of hard tooth structure. During the caries process, the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths are fed by what we eat, and release acid that breaks down the tooth. To prevent the caries process, there are many areas of our daily routine that can be modified. Many times, only simple changes in the areas listed below may be enough to stop the caries process and prevent cavities.

How Your Diet Can Affect Your Oral Health

Simple carbohydrates are the primary food source for the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths. The bacteria then use these carbohydrates to produce acid, which is what damages our teeth. The bacteria can continue to feed for approximately 30 minutes after consuming any food or drink items containing carbohydrates. Recommendations for diet modifications are listed below:

Problems: Soda, sweet tea, processed foods high in carbohydrates (such as bread, crackers, and chips), hard and soft candies

Solutions: Raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, meats, yogurt, cheese, water, and calorie-free drinks

Problem: Bacteria using food to produce acid for 30 minutes after consumption

Solutions: Minimize snacks between meals, eating xylitol gum immediately after meal to neutralize acid

Importance of Proper Oral Hygiene

The American Dental Association recommends brushing for 2 minutes twice daily and flossing at least once daily. When you are finished brushing your teeth, they should feel slick and smooth to the tongue like they feel after a professional cleaning. If there is an area on the surface of any teeth that still feels “furry” then plaque is still present and should be brushed off. The tongue should also be cleaned every time the teeth are brushed.

Problem: Inadequate cleaning of teeth

Solutions: Electric toothbrush*, glide-type floss**, more frequent professional cleanings***

*Teeth are typically much cleaner after brushing for the same amount of time with an electric toothbrush compared to a manual toothbrush.

**Many people have complaints of flossing being uncomfortable, difficult, or even painful. Newer glide types of floss make flossing a much better experience than traditional floss that is prone to shredding.

***Professional cleanings are recommended at least every 6 months for the average person

Environment of Mouth

Occasionally caries are still a problem even with proper hygiene and diet. This can be caused by environmental factors including “bad” bacteria in the mouth, low flow of saliva, or low pH (high acidity) of saliva.

Problem: “Bad” bacteria

Solutions: Bacteria modification through probiotics, such as OralBiotic Blis or Evoraplus, and/or mouth rinse prescribed by your dentist

Problem: Low salivary flow caused by older age or medication

Solution: Xylitol (sugar-free) gum or hard candy to promote saliva flow

Problem: Low salivary pH (high acidity)

Solution: Fluoride toothpaste or gel trays prescribed by your dentist to promote remineralization.

Why do I need a dental crown?

A dental crown is like a tiny hardhat that covers a natural tooth to protect, strengthen, or improve a person’s oral health and aesthetics.

Reasons You Might Need a Dental Crown

You may need a dental crown for one or more of the following reasons:

Protect a weak or brittle tooth from breaking
Hold together parts of a cracked or fractured tooth
Protect a decayed or damaged tooth
Restore a broken or severely worn down tooth
Cover and support a tooth with a large filling
Secure a dental bridge in place
Conceal a severely discolored or misshapen tooth
Top a dental implant
Modify cosmetic flaws

Though crowns often restore an adult tooth, some children may need a crown on a primary tooth to:

Save a tooth damaged from decay and prevent the decay from spreading
Cover a tooth that can’t support a filling
Protect a tooth that’s at a higher risk for tooth decay, especially if a child does not practice good daily oral hygiene
Cover a tooth that hasn’t developed correctly

We only suggest a dental crown for a child to preserve their natural primary tooth. Repairing and restoring primary teeth is important because it helps their permanent teeth grow correctly and reduces their chance of needing orthodontic care.

Custom Dental Crowns in Anderson, SC

Do you have a broken or decayed tooth? Please call our dental office in Anderson, SC, today to schedule your appointment and learn more about your restorative dental care options.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Patrick Carter D.M.D.

Dr. Carter was born and raised in the small town of Elliott, SC where his parents owned and operated their own music label Ripete Records. Coming from a long bloodline of Clemson Alumni, it was no surprise that he attended Clemson University himself. He graduated from Clemson with a degree in Pre-Professional Health Studies in May 2007 and went on to attend the Medical University of South Carolina for dental school. He graduated from MUSC in May 2011 and immediately began associateships in Anderson and Abbeville.

Dr. Carter spent many ...

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Featured Blog Posts - Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges

September 20, 2022

Which Dental Crown Is Right for You?

man smiling after getting dental crown in Anderson SC

Dental crowns in Anderson are an excellent option for covering a tooth that's been broken, damaged, or decayed while protecting your remaining natural tooth structure. A crown fits over your tooth down to the gum line, so you have the aesthetics and function you enjoyed before. Tooth crowns are an excellent solution for delivering aesthetics and function to your smile.

There are generally three types of dental crowns that Dr. Carter uses to repair teeth, and today, we will go over the pros and cons of each type.

Ceramic Porcelain Crowns

Ceramic ...