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Crowns & Bridges Explained

January 24th, 2012 | Posted by Jeanette in Cosmetic Dentistry | Crowns & Bridges - (0 Comments)

Crowns and bridges are dental prosthetic that are intended to cover or replace broken or decaying teeth. Unlike dentures, crowns and bridges are permanent, non-removable dental fixtures that are bonded or cemented onto existing teeth. This means they can only be removed by a dentist. It also mean that they look and feel more like real natural teeth and behave like them too.

When are crowns used?

Crowns are used in the following ways:

  • Instead of a large filling, if there is not enough healthy tooth left
  • To restore a fractured tooth or to protect a tooth from fracturing
  • To cover a irregularly shaped tooth or a badly discoloured tooth
  • To cover a tooth which had a root canal or an implant.

How does a crown work?
A crown covers a damaged tooth completely, that is why it’s also known as a “cap.” Not only does it improve the appearance of a tooth that is damaged or decayed, it strengthens it. Crowns are usually made of either porcelain or ceramic are designed to match the colour of your existing teeth.  For the back teeth, sometimes a heavy-duty crown made of a metal allow is required as they are stronger than porcelain.

What is a bridge?

When you have a missing tooth or teeth, it may be necessary to fill the space with a bridge in order to prevent your other teeth from shifting. Not only would a shift in your teeth cause an improper bite, it can also cause gum disease and possible TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems. A bridge is cemented to the surrounding teeth that hold in place a replacement tooth where the hole was. You will discuss with your dentist which material is best to use based on the location of the bridge and the function it replaces of the normal tooth.

How is a crown or bridge made?

You would normally consult with your dentist to have a impressions made, similar to veneers. Once the dentist has sent the result to the dental laboratory for fabrication, they will prepare your existing teeth to hold the crown or bridge by reducing the size.

How long does a crown or bridge last?

With proper care, crowns and bridges can last a lifetime but it’s possible that they come lose. The reason for this is most often due to improper dental and oral hygiene, therefore it is extremely important to be diligent with brushing and flossing to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

 

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The ABC’s of Veneers

January 23rd, 2012 | Posted by Jeanette in Cosmetic Dentistry | veneers - (0 Comments)

What are veneers?

Veneers for your teeth are very thin, custom coverings that are designed to cover the front of your teeth. Shaped like a shell, they are bonded to the front surface of the teeth to change the shape/size, color, and even the length.

It is most common for veneers to be made from porcelain but they can also be made from a resin composite. You should discuss your goals with your dentist to select the best choice of material as both materials have their benefits. Porcelain veneers are more stain resistant than resin veneers and they look more like your natural teeth by reflecting light the same way as your natural teeth do. The benefit of resin veneers is that they are thinner and require less of the tooth surface to be removed before bonding.

How can veneers help me get a perfect smile?

Since veneers are designed to cover your existing tooth to make it look better, they are commonly used for:

  • Discolored teeth (because of a root canal or stains)
  • Worn down, broken, or chipped teeth
  • Teeth with gaps, or spacing issues.
  • Mishapen teeth, different sized teeth, or crooked

How long does it take?

You should expect to visit the dentist three times in order to ensure you are a suitable candidate for veneers (1), to make them (2), and to bond them to your teeth (3).

During the first visit, your dentist will discuss the process and will examine your teeth and mouth, she may even take an impression of your teeth in order to prepare for the next step, which is designing and making the veneer.

On the next visit, the dentist will need to remove a thin layer of your existing tooth enamel in order to prepare for the veneer. After this, they must make a model of your tooth (or teeth) that need veneers so they can send it away to the laboratory for fabrication.

Once the veneer is made and sent back from the dental laboratory, your dentist will take the veneer and ensure it matches the colour of your surrounding teeth as well as the fit. Modifications can be made at this time to ensure a perfect match. It’s now time to adhere, or bond the veneer to the tooth. First, the teeth are cleaned and then for added strength, they are etched.  Then a special compound is applied to the veneer, the veneer is placed on the tooth, and the compound is activated with a light which quickly bonds the veneer to the tooth. Any excess cement is removed and a final check on placement is conducted. After a week or two, you will revisit the dentist to ensure everything is in place properly and functioning normally.

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