Veneers, crowns, and bridges, can help to restore the beauty and function of your smile with precision and care.
Porcelain veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain, which are custom made to fit over a tooth. They are usually provided on front teeth to restore the appearance of one or more upper teeth. They are generally indicated for use when the tooth is not too badly broken down but a change of aesthetic is desired. If a tooth is badly broken down a crown is the treatment of choice. A veneer is often used to mask discolouration, caused by internal staining of the tooth. They are less destructive to the tooth than a crown and may involve no preparation of the tooth. Usually, a layer about 0.5mm thick is taken off the front of the tooth, to allow for the thickness of the finished veneer. An impression is taken after preparation, the veneer is then custom made to the required size, shape and colour. This typically takes one week; the veneer is then permanently bonded to the front surface of the tooth.
This bonding to the tooth is different from normal “glue”. It is much harder and stronger, and after fitting the tooth is as strong as it was before the veneer was fitted.
A porcelain veneer once fitted should be undetectable on the tooth. They will last for many years, but this depends on how you look after them. It is important not to forget that they are only very thin layers of porcelain attached to the front surface of the tooth. They are more resistant to staining than simple fillings, and are more resistant to chipping than fillings. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene, and avoid things such as trying to bite hard sweets with the treated teeth. In normal usage breakage is very rare.
Porcelain veneers do look cosmetically excellent and can be a very conservative way to dramatically change a smile.
Broadly speaking crowns can be made of either metal or porcelain materials. The positives of the metal crowns are they are strong even when thin and therefore require less reduction of the natural tooth, the downside being they look metal. Porcelain crowns however look natural like teeth but do require more reduction of the natural tooth.
The main reasons why failure of crowns occurs is poor maintenance after the crowns have been fitted. There are different types of crown, some are stronger and are therefore better used at the back of the mouth. Some are aesthetically better and are indicated for use on the front teeth. To preserve your new crowns it is important that you clean round them thoroughly twice a day, and that you attend for regular check ups to keep them healthy.
Crowns are used for many different scenarios for many different reasons. It is best to discuss each case and the details in depth with your dentist.
Bridges restore a single missing tooth using either one or two teeth next to the gap to attach an additional tooth to.
A bridge is a fixed replacement for a missing tooth. It’s made by taking an impression of the surrounding teeth, which will eventually support the bridge.
A bridge is usually created from precious metal and porcelain and will be fixed in your mouth (unlike dentures, which can be removed).
The bridge may need either minimal or more extensive shaping/reduction of the teeth either side of the gap. A mould or intraoral scan is taken, from which a dental laboratory produce the bridge which is cemented in place.
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