Veneers, Crowns and Bridges – Know The Difference

Most people suffer from a range of teeth problems, including misaligned teeth, uneven teeth among other disorders. This does affect not only one’s self-confidence but also affects teeth functionality. Fortunately enough, dental veneers can effectively solve all such problems.

Dental veneers are a slim shell of ceramic, porcelain or composite resin that is bonded directly to the tooth. They are used to address dental issues such as the uneven height of the teeth, cracks, discolouration, chips, small gaps between the teeth and irregular shapes. While the veneers are mainly used for cosmetic purposes, they can also be used to fix some minor bite issues. Once they have been applied, veneers look and function just like natural teeth. They can bear the normal stress that the original teeth are subjected to. With proper care, dental veneers can last up to a decade.

To place dental veneers, the dentist must show excellence in the techniques. This is because he will have to remove a portion of the natural tooth enamel to fit the veneer. While your dentist can adjust or remake the veneers at a later date, the natural tooth cannot be returned to its original condition. This might be a point those who want to undergo through the process should consider. However, once they have been installed, you will only go through a brief period of tooth sensitivity, and after that, they can function just as normal teeth. The material used to make veneers is strong and durable. However, it’s for your best interest not to put your new veneers under undue stress. Thisincludes chewing on hard objects, ice or opening a bottle top or any such packages.

– Direct Veneers

Direct veneers are made of plastic or resin that are bonded directly to the teeth. They can be used to improve the colour of the teeth and hide some small imperfections. Normally, there are no major preparations required for this type of veneers. It is also less costly to have them compared to other types of veneers. However, direct veneers are not as durable and are more prone to chipping, staining or cracking. However, you can be able to repair direct veneers just in case any of these happens.

– Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are the popular type of veneers. They can be used to solve problems such as irregular contours, cracks and discolouration. Composite veneers are durable than direct veneers. Application of composite veneers can take only a single dental visit, but the session might be longer than normal. They are also quite costly compared to direct veneers but cheaper compared to porcelain veneers. The main shortcoming with composite veneers is that you might not be able to accrue the same value you would with porcelain veneers. They are also prone to staining if exposed to staining agents such as wine and tobacco. However, you can visit your dentist for regular polishing to restore their aesthetic appeal. They can last longer if you maintain proper dental hygiene.

– Porcelain Veneers

Compared to all other types of veneers, porcelain veneers are the most costly. However, the level of value they will give you is well worth every penny. You will require more than one dental appointment to install this type of veneers for preparation and fitting. During preparation, the dentist will customise the veneers to fit your own unique set of teeth. He/she will also tailor them to resemble the shape and colour of your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining and an ideal solution for severely discoloured teeth. When it comes to strength and durability, porcelain veneers are strong and durable more than any other type of veneers.

The only shortcoming that comes with porcelain veneers is that they are expensive than other types of veneers. They also consume a lot of time during preparation and fitting since they will require more than one dental visit.

Dental veneers are a very interesting cosmetic dental procedure. It requires two dental appointments. The first appointment is for the preparation where the dentist will measure and manage your expectations. The dentist will then send the prescriptions to the lab where the veneers will be made to match the perfect shape and size of your desired smile. The veneers will be ready in about a week’s time. You will then be required to make another dental visit once they are ready for fitting. During this visit, you will have to choose whether the dentist should use local anaesthesia or not. However, local anaesthesia is not necessary during this procedure though it’s commonly used to dull any sensations and ease nerves.
The dentist will then remove the 5mm of enamel from your natural tooth. The tooth and veneer will then be prepared for bonding. The two will then be bonded using a special light. Your dentist will repeat this on each tooth to create a uniform and brilliant smile. Some patient may experience sensitivity after the procedure,but in most cases, this will go away after some time. Your dentist will require you to make another appointment with him/her after about a month for evaluation.

Veneers are an awesome solution to a myriad of cosmetic issues. They can correct severely stained teeth, unsightly gaps and misshapen teeth. Veneers will also enable you to achieve a whiter and brighter smile. They will cover all the discolouration from tobacco to wine. Unlike natural teeth, veneers especially porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

Moreover, veneers are strong and durable. With good care, you can expect veneers to last up to a decade. They are also safe compared to many other cosmetic procedures since they are non-invasive.

A crown is a dental covering that is fitted over a decayed, unattractive or damaged tooth. It can also be effectively used to replace a missing tooth. A dental crown covers an entire tooth above the gum line. Unlike a dental veneer which covers the surface of a tooth and requires a tooth structure for support. Therefore, if your tooth lacks a substantial amount of structure above the gum line, a dental crown can be a perfect restoration option.

When would a dental crown be needed?
A dental crown is often necessary for the following reasons:
– Restores a fractured tooth or a tooth that has been seriously worn down
– Protects a weak tooth from fracturing or breaking down
– Holds a dental bridge in place
– Cover harshly stained or misshaped teeth
– Cover an implant
– Cover and offer support to a tooth that has a large dental filling and not much-remaining tooth structure
– Cover and offer support to a tooth that has received a root canal treatment.

There are permanent and temporary crowns. Dental crowns can be made from different types of materials, this depends on a patient’s preference and need.

– Stainless steel

These are temporary crowns that are often made in the dentist’s office to offer coverage to a tooth. They’re often made of stainless steel or acrylic-based material. A stainless crown is often used in paediatric dentistry to fit over a child’s tooth. It shelters the whole tooth completely and shields it from tooth decay. When the baby tooth falls out to create space for an adult tooth, the crown falls out with the tooth naturally. In most cases, stainless steel is used for babies’ teeth; this is because they do not need many dental visits for fitting. They are also less expensive than the customised crowns and prophylactic oral care that a child needs to protect a tooth from decay and damage.

– Metals

Metal crowns are usually made from metal alloys like nickel-chromium and cobalt-chromium or compounds with a high gold/platinum content. These alloys are strong enough to tolerate the wear and tear of continuous long-term biting and chewing. They are also considered to be very durable because they hardly chip or break. The main downside of this crown is the colour, this is why they are often used for molars.

– Porcelain-fused-to-metal

This type of crown can be made to match the colour of your natural teeth. However, in some instances, the metal found below the crown’s porcelain may show through like a dark line. Another disadvantage is that the crown that is made of porcelain is prone to crack or break off. Also, there is more wearing down of the top and bottom teeth that come into contact with the crown when the mouth is closed. This type of crown is a perfect option for the anterior or posterior teeth.

– All-Porcelain or All-Ceramic

These dental crowns are considered one of the best cosmetic option. This is because they offer a natural colour match that is much better than any other materials. They are also more suitable for patients who have metal allergies.

– Zirconia Crowns

These crowns are the strongest and most expensive crown available on the market. They have an excellent natural look compared to all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns. These crowns are resistant to wear and tear, and they can be used for the front teeth.

– All-Resin

All-resin dental crowns are not as costly as other crowns. Nevertheless, they are more susceptible to wear down and fracture than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

Steps that are Involved in Preparation of a Tooth for a Crown
Typically, it takes about two visits to the dental office to prepare a tooth for a crown. The initial visit involves examination and preparation of the tooth.

– The initial visit: Professional Examination and preparation of the tooth

During your first visit in preparation for a crown, several x-rays will be taken to examine the roots of the tooth and the nearby bone. In case the tooth has been infected,or there’s extensive tooth decay, or the tooth’s pulp has been injured, then a root canal therapy may be done.

Your dentist will numb the gum tissues around the tooth, before starting the process of making the crown. The tooth getting the dental crown will then be scrapped down along its sides and the chewing surfaces to make space for the crown. The volume of tooth structure filed down will depend on the kind of dental crown that will be used. For example, metal crowns are slimmer, and they need a lesser amount of tooth structure to be removed than porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-porcelain ones. Contrary, if a larger surface of the tooth is lost due to damage or decay, the dentist will fill it with a filling material to support the crown.

After the dentist has reshaped the tooth, the dentist will take the impression of your tooth using putty or paste. The dentist will also take the impressions of both the upper and lower tooth to ensure that the custom-made crown does not affect your bite.

These impressions are later taken to the lab where the crown is made. Usually, this takes about two to three days for the crown to be returned to the dentist’s office. Your dentist will select a colour that closely matches your neighbouring natural teeth if at all your crown is made of porcelain. While your crown is being made, your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth to cover and protect the prepared tooth.

– Second Visit: Getting the permanent dental crown

During the next visit, the dentist will first take away your temporary crown and confirm the fitting and the colour of your permanent crown. It is important that your dentist checks the fit to ensure that it has been made correctly. After everything has been confirmed to be as expected, a local anaesthetic is administered to numb the area for the placement of the crown. A special cement is then used to fix the crown over the tooth and hold it in place. In case the patient has a problem with their bite, some adjustments can be done to fix the shape of the crown.

Gaps due to missing teeth not only impact on your self-confidence but they can also affect your bite and placement of the remaining teeth. That is why it is vital to get appropriate dental care to fill the gap left behind by missing teeth. Dental bridges are among the best solution to fill missing teeth. It helps in maintaining the shape of your face as well as make it easier for you to chew and eat in a normal way.

A dental bridge is a form of dental restoration used to bridge the gap left behind by a missing tooth or teeth. This is done by adjoining adjacent teeth and replacing the missing tooth by a false replica. A Dental Bridge is comprised of crowns which are placed on the adjacent teeth which serve as anchors. The anchoring teeth are known as an abutment. It is also comprised of the pontic crown which replaces the missing tooth.
The bridge is custom made in a way that it resembles your natural tooth. This means that it’s going to look and feel just like your natural tooth. Dental bridges are a morecost-effective option for replacing a missing tooth compared to other methods such as dental implants.

– Traditional Fixed bridges

A traditional fixed bridge comprises a false filler tooth that is supported by dental crowns that have been attached to each of the abutment teeth. It is the most popular type of bridge and is usually made from ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal. A traditional fixed bridge is used when you have healthy, natural teeth on both sides of the gap that can support a bridge between them. Both of these natural teeth will need to be filed down and reshaped to fit the crowns before the bridge is placed.

– Cantilever bridges

As much as this type of bridge is quite similar to a traditional bridge, the pontic in a cantilever bridge is held in position by a crown that is cemented to only one abutment tooth. You only need one healthy, natural tooth next to the missing tooth for a cantilever bridge. This type of bridge can be just as strong and durable as traditional bridges if they receive the right treatment planning and follow-up care.

– Maryland bonded bridges

Maryland bonded bridges are also identified as the resin-bonded bridge.They are made of plastic teeth, and porcelain or porcelain fused to metal and porcelain framework or gums supported by metal. These bridges have ceramic or metal wings on the sides that are bonded to the natural teeth from the backside. Whereas the appearance of these bridges is suitable for the front teeth, they may be less durable, and patients may have to limit their diet with this type of bridge.

During the initial appointment, your dentist will discuss with you different tooth replacement methods so that you can be sure that you’ve settled on dental bridges. Once you’ve agreed on the method, the actual work will now begin. Preparation for a dental bridge involves removing part of the enamel from the adjacent teeth. This helps in creating space for the crown to be fixed. Next, the impressions of the bridge will be made, which will act as a model from which the crowns, bridge and pontic will be made from. The dentist will make a temporary bridge that you can wear while the bridge is being made. It helps protect the exposed teeth and gums.

During your next visit, your dentist will do away with the temporary bridge and fit your new bridge made of your preferred material. He/she will check and adjust the bridge as required to attain a comfortable fit. You will be needed to make several other visits to fix bite problems and check the fitting of the metal work. If you are getting a fixed bridge, the dentist may cement it temporarily for a few weeks to ensure that it fits you right. He will then cement it after a few weeks after you’ve confirmed that you’re comfortable with the fit.

It is paramount that you maintain good oral hygiene as the success of a bridge largely depends on the strength and health of the adjacent teeth. Brush at least twice a day for approximately two minutes each and floss at least once a day. This helps in avoiding gum disease and tooth decay that can result in loss of teeth. The dentist will direct you on how to brush your teeth and floss in the right way. Also, make sure that you’ve maintained regular dental check-ups so that your dentist can diagnose any dental problem early enough.

Dental bridges come with a myriad of benefits. Perhaps the most obvious one is that it gives you back the confidence of your smile. They also help in maintaining the proper structure of your face, something that can greatly tamper with your appearance. Apart from aesthetics which may be the primary reason for getting a bridge, they also help you with functionality. You can chew and speak properly with dental bridges. They also prevent your remaining natural teeth in the mouth from shifting.

With the information provided above, we believe you are now in a position to make a sound decision on which cosmetic dental work will best suit your needs. However, if you’re still unsure, you can talk to your dentist, and he/she will help you choose the best one according to what you are looking to achieve.
Remember, while making your decision, it’s also important to consider your budget. You do not have to break the bank to achieve your desired smile. Talk to your dentist about the different types of veneers, crowns or bridges, and you will be sure to get an option that suits your budget. No matter what you choose, your dentist will work with you to ensure you get a smile that you are happiest with.