Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but are best for teeth with discoloration or slightly less damage . These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
Crowns
We are thrilled to offer our patients single unit restoration. This capability is enabled by our in-house CEREC technology. CERAC allows us to provide you with a new all-ceramic (tooth colored) crown in one visit. The difference in CERAC, when compared to traditional crown methods, is it involves digital impressions (no more goo impressions) and no temporary crowns.
How it's done
Your first visit involves reshaping the tooth and removing decay. The the dentist will then scan the prepared tooth using a digital camera. This is used to create a 3-D model of your mouth. While you enjoy some down time, the dentist will design the crown on a computer. This design will be sent to a milling unit to fabricate your custom crown, then stained and glazed in a furnace to produce the final aesthetic. Next, the fit of crown is verified in your mouth, and lastly it is cemented in place . This whole process is completed in one visit!
Bridges
A dental bridge is a false tooth that is used to fill the gap created by a missing tooth or teeth. A gap between your teeth can be potentially dangerous to your dental health, as it can cause your teeth to shift resulting in a change in your bite that could be painful. Dental bridges help alleviate this problem by using the two surrounding teeth as anchors to hold a false tooth in the place where the gap is. Typically, porcelain crowns are placed over the surrounding teeth, and the false tooth, known as a pontic, is fused between them.
Types of Bridges:
There are three types of dental bridges that are commonly used today
- Traditional fixed bridge - This is the most common type of dental bridge, in which porcelain crowns are placed over the two surrounding teeth and used as anchors to hold the fale tooth in place. The false tooth is usually made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
- . Cantilever bridge – A cantilever bridge is used when teeth are present on only one side of the gap. These are used typically in areas of your mouth that doesn’t experience an intense chewing load, such as your front teeth.
- . Resin-bonded bridge - In a resin-bonded bridge, metal bands are bonded to the surrounding teeth with resin and used to hold a plastic false tooth in place. This type of bridge is typically used in areas of the mouth that undergo less stress, such as the front teeth.
How it's done
A minimum of two visits are required for placing a dental bridge. At the first visit, three important steps are completed. Firstly, the surrounding teeth are prepared to be fitted with a crown. This may including filing down the tooth so that the crown can fit over it. Secondly, an impression is taken of your teeth which will be processed in our laboratory to prepare the bridge and crown. Finally, the we will fits your teeth with a temporary bridge to protect them while the bridge is prepared.
At the second visit, the temporary bridge is removed and the new bridge is fitted and adjusted. Multiple visits may be necessary to check and adjust the fit.
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin custom made shells that cover the front surface of your tooth to improve their appearance. They are made of tooth colored materials and can be used to improve the color of teeth that have been worn down or stained. Alternatively, they can be used to improve the shape or size of the tooth.
Types of veneers
There are two types of veneers that are commonly used. Porcelain veneers are more durable, and resist stains better. The properties of the material also helps to create a very natural tooth look. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers are not made in a laboratory, but instead directly applied to the teeth. They typically have a shorter life span, and are less expensive.
When should you consider dental veneers?
You can talk to your dentist about dental veneers if
- Your teeth are stained or discolored
- Your teeth are crooked or misshapen
- Your teeth have spaces between them
- Your teeth are broken or chipped
How its done
Two visits are typically required for porcelain veneers. At the first visit, three important steps are completed. Firstly, the your teeth is prepared to be fitted with a veneer, which will involve trimming a portion of the tooth so the veneer can be bonded on top. Secondly, an impression is taken of your teeth or tooth which will be sent to our laboratory to prepare the veneer. Finally, you may receive a temporary veneer depending on how much of your tooth structure was removed. This temporary veneer will protect your tooth while the permanent veneer is prepared at the laboratory.
At the second visit, the temporary veneer, if you received one, will be removed. Then, the new veneer will be checked to see if it fits well. It's best not to adjust porcelain veneers after they are bonded to your teeth, so any adjustments will be made beforehand. Once you and the dentist are satisfied with the look and feel of the veneer, it will be bonded to your tooth.