Patient Information:   Crowns, Bridges, Veneers

Fixed Prosthodontics

Fixed Prosthodontics is the technical name for Crowns,bridges,veneers,inlays & onlays,  They are false parts of teeth made of precious metals and porcelaine by a dental laboratory technician and then glued into position.  

Crowns

Crowns are often referred to as 'caps'. They cover the remaining parts of the natural tooth when over 50% of the tooth structure has been lost.  Crowns can be constructed from many different materials, ranging from an all-metal gold crown, through to a high strength ceramic crown. The type of crown depends on the amount of tooth left, the tooth type and the patient preference.

Post Crowns

When a tooth is very broken down the only way to support a crown is to introduce a metal post into the root.  The post helps support the crown used to restore the tooth. Every treatment has it's limitations.  Post crowns often come loose and require re-cementing.  They are like the knob on a set of draws that with time works loose and requires replacing or a larger screw to hold it.  They are not recommended for lone standing teeth at the front of the mouth, or to support large span bridges. They are better than loosing a tooth but definitely have their limitations.

A Bridge

Bridges are made to restore gaps between teeth. A false tooth attached to two caps either side of the space is glued in the mouth. Sometimes bridges are held in place on either side of the gap, sometimes on just one side; it depends on the size of the gap and how the teeth function. Bridges look very good, patients like them because they are not fixed in position.  The only compromise is when the teeth either side of the space have no fillings and are healthy. It is difficult decision to drill a healthy tooth.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

An alternative to a large filling is the inlay.  The inlay can be made from metals, resins or ceramics.  It is made by a dental technician, from a dental impression of the cavity in the tooth.  The cast inlay is then cemented into the tooth. Inlays have greater strength co mpared to fillings.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are a thin piece of ceramic or resin that is glued onto the surface of a tooth. They act like false finger nails. They change the colour and shape of teeth and can be used to restore damaged teeth, rotated teeth, or to make teeth whiter.. Usually an amount of tooth preparation is required for the veneer to 'sit into' but modern techniques allow veneers to be made that stick straight onto the tooth surface.  Veneers may de-bond or fracture throughout it’s life. It is recommended that patients use night guards when veneers are used for multiple teeth as with cosmetic make-overs.  The night guards maintain the position of the teeth and protect the veneers from being damaged by night time jaw grinding.

 

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“ Dentistry is developing.  The modern materials we can use closely mimic natural teeth.  Soon we’ll be able to use computers and milling machines to crowns and bridges in the surgery. It’s exciting times for dentists interested in this discipline. “

    Bare Dental Clinic