DENTAL CROWNS: Crowns are used to restore the strength of a tooth after decay has occurred. A crown or cap replaces the damaged part of the tooth to make it whole again. This provides much needed protection to the tooth and aids in function. Ceramic is a great material to use in the creation of dental crowns, as it reacts to hot and cold much in the same way as a natural tooth, which prevents it from breaking. Ceramic crowns also look a great deal more attractive than gold or amalgam crowns and are tooth coloured to blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. For a consultation about crown restoration for broken or damaged teeth, please make an appointment at the surgery.
VENEERS: Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made layers of porcelain that are permanently fixed, directly to your teeth. Veneers are used to close gaps, straighten teeth, replace worn edges or resurface discoloured teeth that for various reasons did not get white enough with the whitening procedures. If your front teeth are chipped or crooked or if you have a gap that is beyond what conventional bonding can cover, then veneers might be the best option for you. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer covers mainly the visible front part of the tooth and slightly wraps over the biting edge.
DENTAL BRIDGES: Dental bridges are used for the restoration of missing teeth. When teeth are lost a gap will appear, which if left untreated can lead to future problems such as eating difficulties and speech impediments. This is because when the gap is left unfilled the teeth surrounding it are inclined to drift into the empty space, which can cause the problems mentioned above and also compromise the structure of your mouth. Bridges fill these gaps by using the teeth on the opposing sides of the void to act as a stable anchor for a set of replacement teeth, which sit in the middle of the gap. Bridges can utilise different materials such as porcelain and metal, but it will be up to your dentist to recommend the best type of bridge for you.
If there is absolutely anything you don’t understand, please feel free to get in touch and we will be able to help you.