Restorative – Crowns and Bridges, Fillings, Veneers

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges are the most common restorative procedure in the dental industry. Custom porcelain crowns and bridges restore the look and function of teeth that have been lost or damaged. They also give patients the confidence of a restored smile without more invasive procedures or removal of damaged dentition. We provide dental crown and bridges, see below for more info:

What’s the Difference?
A crown is used to replace a single tooth, while a bridge is used to cover a row of missing teeth.

Why Get Dental Crowns?

• To whiten, realign, or reshape current existing teeth
• They are used to whiten teeth when fillings become discolored
• Crowns can be used to protect root fillings and prevent future damage
• They may be needed to hold a denture or bridge in place

Why Get Bridges?

• They are a highly aesthetic option for replacing lost teeth
• They look, feel and function just like natural teeth
• When done properly, they are a very long lasting solution

Fillings

If you suffer from a cavity your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill the area from where the decayed substance was removed. Fillings are used to repair cracked or broken teeth arising from cavities or from normal wear and tear of the teeth with habits such as nail-biting or tooth grinding.
We use a local anesthetic to numb the area before we fill it. We then test the area to determine if the decay has been effectively removed. The cavity is cleaned to rid the area of any bacteria and debris. The filling is conducted in multilayer process that involves applying tooth-colored material in layers. Each layer is applied and cured with a special light. As the multilayer process is complete, we will then shape the composite material and conduct the final restoration.

Caring for teeth with fillings

• Follow good oral hygiene practice
• Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily
• Tooth sensitivity after a filling is normal but if a particular food is causing it, it’s advised to avoid such food for sometime following the filling
• If your tooth is extremely sensitive and you feel a sharp edge, call your dentist and schedule an appointment

Veneers

Dental veneers are often known as porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates. They can be made of porcelain or from resin composite materials. Although both porcelain veneers and resin veneers have their advantages, porcelain veneers mimic the natural light reflecting properties of natural teeth and resist stains better. Veneers last anywhere between 5 and 10 years and need to be replaced after this timeframe.

What are the advantages of veneers?

• They can fix teeth that are discolored due to multiple reasons including root canals, stains from drugs and fluoride excess
• They can fix teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken and those that are misaligned or uneven
• They can fill large gaps between teeth

What is the procedure for getting a veneer?

• Diagnosis and treatment planning- This is the consultation phase with your dentist
• Preparation- Your dentist will remove ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface after numbing the area with local anesthetic. A model of your tooth is made which constructs your veneer
• Bonding-This is the final step in which your dentist will cure the veneer after making all the necessary final adjustments