Cosmetic Dentistry
Porcelain Crowns (caps)
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Reasons for crowns:
Broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings, or tooth that has a root canal.
Porcelain Fixed Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth. The most popular type is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
Reasons for a fixed bridge: fill space of missing teeth, maintain facial shape, prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, restore chewing and speaking ability, restore your smile, or upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create beautiful and attractive smiles.
Veneers can help reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.
As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
Reasons for porcelain veneers: cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile, crooked teeth, misshapen teeth, severely discolored or stained teeth, teeth that are too small or large, unwanted or uneven spaces, or worn/chipped teeth.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has become an important aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.
Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up will be needed every so often, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.
Reasons for tooth whitening: fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development), normal wear of outer tooth layer, or yellow, brown stained teeth.