CROWNS ` BRIDGES ` VENEERS - BONDING ` FILLINGS - INLAYS & ONLAYS ` DENTURES
CROWNS
A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.
Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
- Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
- Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
BRIDGES
A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
VENEERS
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic glued to the front of your teeth. For teeth that are severely discolored, chipped or misshapen, they create a durable and pleasing smile. Veneers are difficult to stain, making them popular for people seeking a perfect smile.
Porcelain veneers, which must first be created to fit your teeth in a dental laboratory and require two visits to the dentist.
After Photo (Veneers)
INLAYS & ONLAYS
Dental inlays and dental onlays are used to fix rear teeth that have mild to moderate decay. Onlays and inlays may also be used to repair teeth that are cracked or mildly damaged. These restoratives are quite durable and are typically made from porcelain, composite resin or gold. Inlays and onlays are created to match people’s tooth color and give people aesthetically pleasing smiles. In some cases, inlays and onlays may even be used to fill cavities.
BONDING
Bonding uses composite resin to restore chipped or broken teeth, fill in gaps and reshape or recolor your smile. After applying a very mild etching solution that slightly roughs the surface of your teeth and permits the bonding material to adhere, your dentist applies the resin and sculpts, colors and shapes it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light hardens the material, which is then finely polished.
Many people choose bonding over silver fillings because it looks more natural - the material can be matched to your natural tooth color.
Advantages:
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
Composite fillings, often called white fillings, are made of a plastic resin and finely ground glass. They must be applied to the tooth surface in thin layers. Dentists try to match the color of composites with neighboring teeth for a more natural look, making the filling appear invisible. Composite resin fillings often are made smaller than amalgam fillings and require less tooth preparation, thereby saving more natural tooth surface.
Composite fillings are bonded to the tooth so that the tooth becomes stronger than it was before. They are also less sensitive to temperature changes in the mouth that can damage the tooth; therefore there is less chance that the tooth will shatter because of the filling.
Dentures remain a popular tooth replacement solution. Several appointments will be required to ensure your dentures fit comfortably and are stable. Dentures can be made entirely from acrylic or acrylic fused with a metal base to provide you with additional support. A partial denture is to replace a few missing teeth and a full denture is used to replace an entire uppoer or lower arch, or both.
It is important to remove your denture at night to enable your gums to rest after they have supported your dentures all day and during meals. Placing your dentures in a glass of water or a denture solution will prevent them from drying out, which can cause them to change shape and affect their fit, stability and comfort.
When you have teeth missing, the contour of your gums can change. Therefore you will occasionally require the base of your denture to be refined to keep it fitting securely and comfortably with your gum-line. Also mouth cancers can occur under your dentures and may go undiagnosed for some time. Attending regular dental check-ups at Integrated Dental Care can ensure your mouth remains in perfect oral health.