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What
are crowns?
A crown is a restoration that covers, or "caps," a
tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening
and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary
when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the
problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together
to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse. Crowns
are also used to support a large filling when there isn't enough
of the tooth remaining, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from
fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discolored
teeth.
How
is a crown placed?
To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is reduced so the crown
can fit over it. An impression of teeth and gums is made and
sent off to the lab for the crown fabrication. A temporary
crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made.
On the next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and cements
the permanent crown onto the tooth.
Will
it look natural?
Yes. The dentist's main goal is to create crowns that
look like natural teeth. That is why dentists take an impression.
To achieve a certain look, a number of factors are considered, such
as the color, bite, shape, and length of your natural teeth.
Any one of these factors alone can affect your appearance.
If you
have a certain cosmetic look in mind for your crown, discuss it
with your dentist at your initial visit. When the procedure
is complete, your teeth will not only be stronger, but they may
be more attractive.
Why
crowns and not veneers?
Crowns require more tooth structure removal, hence, they cover
more of the tooth than veneers. Crowns are stationary and
are customarily indicated for teeth that have sustained significant
loss of structure, or to replace missing teeth. Crowns may
be placed on natural teeth or dental implants.
How
should I take care of my crowns?
To prevent damaging or fracturing the crowns, avoid chewing
hard foods, ice or other hard objects. You also want to avoid teeth
grinding. Besides visiting your dentist and brushing twice
a day, cleaning between your teeth is vital with crowns. Floss
or interdental cleaners (specially shaped brushes and sticks) are
important tools to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum
meets the tooth. Plaque in that area can cause dental decay
and gum disease.
Porcelain
Veneers: An Alternative to Crowns
What
are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which
are bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure requires little
or no anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the
appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask
discolorations, to brighten teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly
resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette
smoking, the wafer-thin porcelain veneers can achieve a tenacious
bond to the tooth, resulting in an esthetically pleasing naturalness
that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Why
a porcelain veneer?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in
many situations. They provide a much more conservative approach
to changing a tooth's color, size, or shape. Porcelain veneers can
mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline,
by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are
ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with
gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn
may consider porcelain veneers. Generally, veneers will last
for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity
when properly performed.
What
happens during the procedure?
Patients need three appointments for the entire procedure: diagnosis
and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.
Diagnosis
arid treatment planning: It's critical that you take an active role
in the smile design. Spend time in the decision-making and planning
of the smile. Understand the corrective limitations of the procedure.
Have more than one consultation, if necessary, to feel comfortable
that your dentist understands your objectives.
Preparation
of teeth: This appointment will take from one to two hours.
To prepare the teeth for the porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly
buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer.
Usually, about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which
may require a local anesthetic. At this appointment, molds
are taken of the teeth, which are sent to the laboratory for the fabrication
of the veneers. This can take about one to two weeks. During this time, temporary veneers are worn to simulate the form of the porcelain veneers. This is an extremely important step, as a replica is made of the finessed esthetic temporary veneers. The replica, along with diagnostic photographs allows the laboratory technician to have invaluable help in fabricating awesome, natural looking veneers.
Bonding
of veneers: This appointment will take about one or two
hours, depending on the number of veneers to be placed. First, the dentist places the veneers with water or
glycerine on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the
shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth,
view the esthetic results, and pay particular attention to the color.
At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with
the shade of the cement to be used. The color cannot be altered
after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth
is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth,
a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden
the cement.
How
about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment
as you get used to your "new" teeth that have been changed
in size and shape. Brush and floss daily. After one or two
weeks, you'll return for a follow-up appointment.
Important to have them done right
Porcelain veneers can allow for a miraculous smile transition. They are very "technique sensitive," in that each step is crucial to their ultimate success. Unlike crowns, once a veneer is made, adjustments cannot be made - they have to be done right the first time.
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