Cosmetic dentistry is a variety of
dental procedures that enhance a person's smile. These
procedures can include crowns, bridges, implants,
veneers, and whitening.
Crowns
Teeth can get worn down due to an improper
bite, grinding of teeth, age, and tooth decay. Dental
crowns simply cover the whole exposed surface of your
tooth to add strength, durability and tooth stability.
How are crowns attached?
Prior to any crown work a filling must
be put in place to stabilize the tooth. An impression
of the tooth is made and from that a crown is created.
Creating a permanent crown often takes time to produce,
so in the mean time a temporary crown is fitted. Once
the permanent crown is then cemented onto your tooth.
3 Main types of crowns
Type
Description
Resin and porcelain crowns
The new reinforced resin or bonded all-porcelain
type of crown has the nicest appearance.
Gold crowns
Gold crowns are appropriate when appearance
is not a priority to you. The gold metal is extremely
workable making gold crowns a more precise fit
than any other type.
Porcelain and metal crowns
For a very natural appearance, porcelain fused
to metal crowns are the answer.
Dental Bridges
A bridge is a false tooth, which is fused
between two crowns to replace a missing tooth. The two
crowns are attached onto your teeth on each side. This
procedure can be used to replace one or more missing
teeth. As they are fixed, they cannot be taken out of
your mouth.
Why have a dental bridge?
If spaces are left unfilled, they may
cause the teeth on either side to move out of position.
Additionally your gums are likely to become more prone
to gum disease.
What is the procedure?
The teeth on either side of the space
are prepared for the false tooth, by removing an area
to accommodate for the thickness of the crowns. An impression
is then made to create the bridge, false tooth and crowns.
Until these have been produced a temporary bridge will
be placed. This temporary bridge will serve to protect
your teeth and gums. Once your new permanent bridge
is ready is will be cemented to your teeth.
3 Main types of dental bridges
Type
Description
Fixed bridge
A dental bridge is a false tooth, which is fixed
between two crowns to fill in the area left by
a missing tooth. This procedure is used to replace
one or more missing teeth.
Resin bonded bridges
The resin bonded is generally used for your
front teeth. The false tooth is fused to metal
bands that are bonded to the teeth with a resin,
which is hidden from view.
Cantilever bridges
In less stressed areas of the mouth, as your
front teeth, a cantilever bridge can be used.
It involves anchoring the false tooth to one side
of one or more natural teeth.
