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Cosmetic Dentistry
Crowns are a
type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully
cover over the portion of a tooth which lies at and above the gum
line.
The
strengthening capability of dental crowns is related to the fact
that they cover over and encase the tooth on which they are placed,
thus serving as a splint which binds the tooth together. Dental
crowns are a very important means by which a dentist can strengthen
a tooth.
In contrast, dental fillings, especially large ones, often have a
weakening effect on the teeth in which they are placed. Dental
fillings rely on a tooth's remaining structure to hold and support
them. Fillings, in general, don't strengthen a tooth and don't
protect a tooth from the forces generated by biting and chewing.
It is Dr.
Lunn’s obligation and responsibility to provide you with
information, advice, and options on how best to restore your teeth.
Really, any filling which is greater than about a third of the width
of its tooth could be considered to be a filling large enough that
the strength of the tooth overall has been reduced and the tooth is
now a good candidate for the placement of a dental crown.
No dentist can
know for certain which teeth will develop problems and which teeth
won't. Dentists do know both from their dental training and clinical
experience, an idea of which teeth are more at risk for breaking
than others and they have an obligation to report this information
to you. What Dr. Lunn will discuss with you is when a crown will be
the treatment of choice as opposed to a large filling giving the
most successful outcome.
It's impossible
to know precisely what the future holds for a tooth that seems to be
a candidate for a dental crown.
A)
The tooth will crack- In many cases unless a portion
of your tooth has broken off you may not be aware that a crack has
formed.
B)
Cracked teeth can be
sensitive while biting and chewing on hard foods.
Dental crowns
can be made from ceramic materials (porcelain), metal (gold), or a
combination of both (porcelain fused to metal).
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All porcelain
dental crowns are constructed in a manner where the entire crown
is made of all porcelain. These crowns can possess a translucency
that makes them the most similar to your natural teeth by being
cosmetically pleasing when you smile.
-
All metal
crowns, such as gold crowns, can withstand biting and chewing
forces well. Gold crowns probably have the greatest potential for
lasting the longest because the wear rate is about the same as a
person's own tooth enamel.
-
Porcelain fused
to metal dental crowns are somewhat of a hybrid between all metal
crowns and all porcelain crowns. They have the strength and
durability of a metal crown but have the cosmetic appearance of an
all porcelain crown.
It would be
reasonable to expect that a dental crown could last between five and
fifteen years.
A) The formation of
tooth decay- If dental plaque is allowed to accumulate on a tooth in
the region where the crown and tooth meet, then the acid from the
dental plaque can start a cavity to form below the edge of the
crown.
B) The dental crown becomes excessively worn- Dental crowns can wear
out, especially in those cases where a person clenches and grinds
their teeth excessively.
C) The dental crown has
worn out its welcome. Some dental crowns are replaced because, from
a cosmetic standpoint, their appearance is no longer pleasing. In
these cases it is not the color of the porcelain used to make the
dental crown that has changed but instead the neighboring teeth have
stained and darkened.
Also another issue is
that as time passes the gum line of a tooth on which a dental crown
has been placed will recede. If enough recession occurs the edge of
the dental crown, which was originally tucked out of sight just
under the gum line, will become visible and appear as a grey line.
What is a Dental Bridge?
You have one or
more missing teeth due to decay or an accident. This loss changes
the look of your smile, your bite, and puts stress on surrounding
teeth to compensate for the lost tooth. One option Dr. Lunn may
suggest for replacing the lost tooth is with a bridge. The missing
tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth connected between two
crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the
adjacent teeth.
Having a bridge is
like having three crowns. The teeth on either side of the missing
tooth are prepared for crowns, an impression is made, and the case
is sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory then makes the crowns
and fastens a false tooth between the two crowns - this is a
bridge. The advantages of a bridge are that it is fixed, stable,
and feels like your own teeth. In most cases it can be made to look
just like you never had a tooth missing.
Smile and the whole
world smiles with you.” As the saying goes, a beautiful smile can
lighten the hearts of those around you and give you an extra dose of
self-confidence at the same time. It’s obvious that our smile, or
more specific our teeth, are important to us in many ways. It may be
hard to smile, even if you want to, when your teeth are uneven,
chipped or discolored. If this is your problem, porcelain veneers
could be the solution.
Porcelain veneers can
often be an effective method by which to make cosmetic changes in
teeth that are chipped, worn, stained, crooked, or discolored.
An examination by Dr.
Lunn can determine if porcelain veneers are an appropriate method by
which to make the changes you desire. Even if you find that
porcelain veneers are not appropriate for your circumstances, Dr.
Lunn will most likely be able to suggest other treatment options
that are suitable.
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Porcelain veneers can be used to repair minor tooth imperfections
and defects.
·
Porcelain veneers can be used to cover and conceal existing fillings
that have become stained or discolored.
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Porcelain veneers can be used to make color changes in teeth that
are permanently discolored or stained.
·
Porcelain veneers can sometimes be used as an alternative to
orthodontic treatment.
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Porcelain veneers are frequently utilized as a way of closing spaces
that lie between teeth. If a person's tooth misalignment is not
excessive, porcelain veneers can often be used to give a person's
smile a more even appearance without the use of braces.
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of
porcelain that is bonded onto the front surface of a tooth so to
improve its cosmetic appearance. A porcelain veneer can be an ideal
way to make a cosmetic change for a tooth. Compared to dental
bonding, porcelain veneers usually look more life like and they have
the added benefit of resisting staining well.
What are some of the most common benefits of this treatment?
This procedure has
several advantages over other tooth restoration procedures.
Porcelain is an extremely durable material with a color,
translucence and texture that is similar to tooth enamel. It is not
susceptible to decay and resists staining while maintaining a
natural appearance. Veneers can effectively close diastemas (gaps
between teeth), lengthen and reshape teeth, repair chipped, broken,
or misshapen teeth, and cover stains and discolorations. If you’re
considering porcelain veneers, the following information will
provide you with a good introduction to the procedure.
A)
Porcelain veneers create a very life-like tooth
appearance.
Porcelain veneers, because they are
glass-like, have a great advantage over other types of cosmetic
dental bonding by the fact that they are translucent. When they are
bonded onto a tooth's surface they mimic the light handling
characteristics of enamel.
B)
Porcelain veneers resist staining.
A significant advantage of porcelain
veneers over other types of cosmetic dental bonding is related to
the fact that a porcelain veneer's surface is just that, porcelain.
Since porcelain is a ceramic, and therefore glass-like, its surface
is extremely smooth and impervious. This means that the surface of a
porcelain veneer will not pick up permanent stains.
With good home care and by exercising
good judgment, it seems likely that a porcelain veneer could last
well in excess of ten years.
A)
Practice good oral home care.- Just as
with any tooth, your veneered tooth should be brushed and flossed
thoroughly on a daily basis.
B)
Avoid
exposing your porcelain veneers to excessive forces.-
avoid biting your fingernails or biting on hair pins, bottles, ice,
or any other such hard items because doing so can break or dislodge
a veneer.
C)
Avoid
clenching and grinding your teeth.
D)
Minimize staining influences.-
Porcelain veneers are a great improvement over other types of
cosmetic dental bonding by the fact that their surface is resistant
to staining.
Cosmetic Dentistry- FAQ’s
I know my smile needs some work, but
I'm not sure if I can afford to have cosmetic dental work done.
The cost of cosmetic
dental work depends on how much work you want done. Like any
cosmetic process, costs will increase with the amount of product or
services you desire. Dr. Lunn can explain various prices and the
best procedure for you. Cosmetic dental work is probably not as
expensive as you think. Investment in cosmetic dentistry is an
investment in you. It can lead to an improved dental appearance and
help improve self-esteem and overall confidence.
My back teeth have a lot of silver and
gold. Is there a less obvious way to fill cavities?
New advances in
tooth-colored porcelain and composite materials not only allow
fillings to go unnoticed, but are stronger and more wear-resistant
than silver and gold.
There's a big gap between my two front
teeth. Can that be changed?
Yes. Bonded veneers
can close gaps and help create the smile you desire. Bonded resins
generally require one office visit, while porcelain veneering takes
two. Bonded veneers, along with good oral hygiene and a healthy
lifestyle, are effective ways to enhance a smile. Dr. Lunn can
explain the various techniques and help determine which is the best
suited to your specific needs.
How can I make my discolored teeth
whiter?
Tooth whitening, the
process for lightening discolored teeth, can be accomplished with
the dentist-supervised, at-home systems. Teeth can be whitened to
the desired shade with at-home systems in just a few weeks. Each
case is individually fitted by Dr. Lunn.
Aesthetic Enhancements: Crowns &
Bridges
Crowns (or caps) are dental restorations that are placed over a
tooth when conservative bonding are insufficient to restore form and
function.
Bridge serves to
replace a missing tooth or teeth. One type of bridge consists of
crowns placed on either side of the missing tooth to connect the
replacement tooth or teeth to them.
Is A Crown Right For Me?
Crowns address aesthetic needs, restore tooth function, and enhance
the overall health of your mouth. In cases where teeth have large
broken down fillings, a crown can protect and preserve the remaining
natural tooth. To enhance your smile a metal-free, tooth colored
crown can also replace an older metal/porcelain crown. Following
root canal therapy, a crown is typically placed over the remaining
tooth structure to preserve aesthetic and tooth function.
Is a Bridge Right For Me?
In cases where teeth are missing, a bridge prevents the remaining
natural teeth from shifting so that dental health and facial
aesthetics are not compromised. Bridges may also provide a
permanent, non-removable alternative to removable partial or full
dentures. Whether supported by natural teeth or implants, bridges
can offer life-like aesthetics and stable chewing surfaces. The can
be easily maintained by brushing with modified brushing and
flossing.
What Happens At The
First Appointment?
With both crowns and bridges, Dr. Lunn needs to shape the
teeth to provide stable support and precise fit of the final
restoration. Following tooth preparation, impressions are taken of
the teeth, and a replica of your mouth is created for the dental
laboratory to make the restoration. You and Dr. Lunn with carefully
discuss the color, shape, and size of the crown(s) or bridge(s). A
temporary restoration is secured to protect the prepared teeth and
maintain the precise space left by the tooth until the new
restoration is fabricated. If an implant-supported crown or bridges
is the best option, then Dr. Lunn will evaluate the patient's health
and suitability for the implant placement. Dr. Lunn may also proceed
with surgical planning for the dental implants.
What Happens At the
Next Appointment?
When the crown or bridge is fabricated, Dr. Lunn will remove the
patient's temporary restoration, and try on the crown or bridges to
verify fit and patient approval. Once the restoration is adjusted
and approved, Dr. Lunn will use dental cement or an adhesive bonding
agent to permanently secure the final restoration. |
