Cosmetic Dentistry

General I Sedation I Extractions I Cosmetic I Paediatric I Oral Hygiene I Periodontics I Endodontics

What is Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a variety of dental procedures that enhance a person's smile. These procedures can include crowns, bridges, veneers, and whitening.

Crowns

Teeth can get worn down due to an improper bite, grinding of teeth, age, and tooth decay. Dental crowns simply cover the whole exposed surface of your tooth to add strength, durability and tooth stability.

How are crowns attached?

Prior to any crown work a filling must be put in place to stabilize the tooth. An impression of the tooth is made and from that a crown is created. Creating a permanent crown often takes time to produce, so in the mean time a temporary crown is fitted. Once the permanent crown is then cemented onto your tooth.

3 Main types of crowns

Type	Description
Resin and porcelain crowns	The new reinforced resin or bonded all-porcelain type of crown has the nicest appearance.
Gold crowns	Gold crowns are appropriate when appearance is not a priority to you. The gold metal is extremely workable making gold crowns a more precise fit than any other type.
Porcelain and metal crowns	For a very natural appearance, porcelain fused to metal crowns are the answer.

Dental Bridges

A bridge is a false tooth, which is fused between two crowns to replace a missing tooth. The two crowns are attached onto your teeth on each side. This procedure can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. As they are fixed, they cannot be taken out of your mouth.

Why have a dental bridge?

If spaces are left unfilled, they may cause the teeth on either side to move out of position. Additionally your gums are likely to become more prone to gum disease.

What is the procedure?

The teeth on either side of the space are prepared for the false tooth, by removing an area to accommodate for the thickness of the crowns. An impression is then made to create the bridge, false tooth and crowns. Until these have been produced a temporary bridge will be placed. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums. Once your new permanent bridge is ready is will be cemented to your teeth.

3 Main types of dental bridges

Type	Description
Fixed bridge	A dental bridge is a false tooth, which is fixed between two crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Resin bonded bridges	The resin bonded is generally used for your front teeth. The false tooth is fused to metal bands that are bonded to the teeth with a resin, which is hidden from view.
Cantilever bridges	In less stressed areas of the mouth, as your front teeth, a cantilever bridge can be used. It involves anchoring the false tooth to one side of one or more natural teeth.