It is common in this treatment modality that the “pink versus the white” aesthetics is considered i.e. the amount of tooth vs the amount of gum that is shown during smiling, which requires a specific balance. This balance is different for different people but is divided through the “golden proportions” of the smile design.

Crowns

A crown, sometimes known as a cap, is the ideal solution if one of your teeth has broken or become significantly weakened due to an excess of decay or a large filling. As opposed to removing the damaged tooth, this type of dental restoration is used to strengthen the existing tooth structure and to preserve its usefulness. Your tooth may require a crown if the damage to it is so great that the remaining tooth is too weak to support a standard restoration. Similarly crowns can be used to strengthen and protect teeth after root canal therapy, or are used in place of a fractured or cracked tooth. Patients who grind their teeth or who have bad oral habits can fall prey to erosion. This can cause a reduction in your tooth material and could mean that a crown is the only option available to restore the tooth.

What types of crowns are there?

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials and even combinations of different materials. However some materials are more aesthetically pleasing than others. For example, crowns made from a combination of metal and porcelain may create highly visible dark gum lines over time. If you’re going for a natural look then it’s usually recommended that you opt for a porcelain or zirconia crown. The cost of crowns varies according to what material is used, with the price often reflecting the quality of the material. The life of a crown can depend on your oral hygiene and just like natural teeth, your dental crowns need looking after. If you maintain a good level of oral hygiene and have regular dental check ups, then a crown made from a quality material can last of 5 to 10 years or more.

Some of the most frequently used types of crown include:

1. Gold Crowns – Although not as aesthetically discreet as other types of crowns, gold crowns are still the best option for many patients. If you grind or clench your teeth then the strength and durability of a gold crown is right for you. Zirconia crowns have commonly replaced gold crowns today.
2. Ceramic Crowns – By far the most aesthetically discreet option, ceramic crowns are one of the most popular types of crown. There are several advantages to not using any metal. Firstly ceramic crowns allow light to be transmitted which creates a more life-like look for your crown. Similarly as there’s no metal, the crown can be used to treat areas with a small amount of space available. With new innovations in the durability and strength of ceramic crowns, it can also be used in areas of the mouth which undergo heavy usage.

The Procedure

Before having a crown fitted you will first consult with your dentist for a thorough examination and to discuss the various treatment options. The tooth will then be prepared for the crown by firstly giving it a thorough cleaning and removing any decay. Your dentist will need to reshape the tooth by using a special dental drill known as a burr. This is done so that the crown will be able to fit correctly over your tooth.

After the preparation is complete, you will have a dental putty impression or digital intra oral scan impression taken of your tooth to be sent off to the laboratory. At the laboratory, the impression of your tooth will be used as a basis to create your crown. This can typically take a couple of days/hours to complete.

Whilst you wait for your custom-made crown to be ready, it is usual to be fitted with a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Once the final crown has been prepared, your dentist will detach the temporary crown and prepare your tooth with a special kind of acid which improves the bonding process. After testing that the crown fits properly, your dentist will then use dental cement to bond the crown into place. It is very important to maintain a high level of oral hygiene as crowns require the same care as natural teeth. It’s usually advised that you avoid grinding your teeth and to avoid chewing hard foods or ice as this may damage or fracture the crown.

Are crowns right for you?

If you’re experiencing a problem with your tooth then crowns might not always be the best option. There are many less invasive treatments which can help to strengthen a damaged or decayed tooth. For example, composite tooth coloured dental bonding or veneers can be used to adequately protect the tooth without the lengthy crowning procedure. However in some cases crowns will be the only option due to the fact that other types of restoration are only effective if the tooth is strong enough to support them.

Bridges

Dental bridges are dental restorations used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental cement is used to keep the bridges in place, making this type of cosmetic dentistry long lasting and effective. Most bridges are made up of a false tooth, known as a pontic which is attached to neighboring teeth using dental Crowns which serve to hold the false tooth in place.

The Treatment

To create your dental bridge some alterations to the neighbouring natural teeth may be required in order to make sure that there is sufficient room for the supporting crowns. An impression/intra oral scan mould of your teeth will be made by your dentist using specialized impression or scan. The mould of your teeth is sent off to a special laboratory where the bridge will be custom-made.

Bridge Options:

1. Porcelain fused to a metal structure – This is the traditional and most documented material used. The dental technician expertly shapes and blends porcelain onto a metal structure, onto which the porcelain then gets fused. This gives a strong framework that is very durable and aesthetic but is no longer the treatment of choice.
2. Porcelain EMAX or Zirconia structure – A metal free option. Zirconia is an extremely strong porcelain-like structure that mimics tooth structure. The zirconia replaces the metal framework, giving a more aesthetic result.
3. Maryland Bridge – A great aesthetic option that entails very little preparation of the neighbouring teeth. The Maryland Bridges are made up of a specialized resin or porcelain which is cemented directly onto the enamel of the adjacent teeth by means of a “wing” attachment. Due to the light preparations involved there’s no need to expose the part of your tooth known as the dentin. This eliminates the risk of the procedure creating sensitivity to your teeth. The process is usually completely reversible but also viewed as a semi permanent solution, while preparing for implant treatment options.

Caring for your bridge

As with all dental restorations, it is important to maintain a decent level of oral hygiene. If you take good care, your bridge may last upwards of ten years. As your bridge is still vulnerable to damage caused by insufficient brushing and excessive intake of sugary foods and drinks, it is therefore vital that you care for your bridge(s) as you would your natural teeth.

It is vital to engage in an oral hygiene programme with the hygienist at least three times annually.

Implants

Benefits of Dental Implants

When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, we first replace the root with a small dental implant. Time is allowed for the bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed.

Dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth, from a single lost tooth to a full mouth reconstruction.

Dental implants can give you back your confidence

Missing teeth can change every aspect of your life, from the way you eat to the way you express yourself. Tooth loss changes your appearance, which often results in a loss of self-esteem. It is more common than you might think. Over 30 million people have suffered tooth loss in one or both jaws.

It’s important to take action to restore your tooth function and appearance as quickly as possible to avoid the consequences of tooth loss such as:

• Gaps in smile
• Movement of surrounding teeth
• Bone loss
• Poor extraction of nutrients
• Speech disturbances
• Diet restrictions