Crowns, bridges, and veneers.
Crowns, bridges, and veneers are dental procedures performed to correct dental issues. These treatments range from restoring damaged teeth to replacing missing teeth and improving the appearance of discolored teeth.
Crowns
A crown is a cap made of a hard material that is placed over a tooth to protect it and/or improve its appearance. Traditionally, precious metal was used as a base, with porcelain baked on top to make the crown look attractive. Nowadays, crowns are increasingly made entirely of porcelain.
The main reason for making a crown is almost always to protect a tooth or molar from breaking. For example, a tooth or molar that has had a root canal treatment is often weakened. To reduce the risk of fracture, a crown can be placed.
To place a crown, some tooth tissue is removed to make space for the material (metal and/or porcelain). An impression is then taken of the prepared tooth or molar. Using this impression, a dental technician can fabricate the crown. While the crown is being made, a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth or molar to protect it.
Bridges
When a tooth is missing, it is sometimes possible to make a bridge. The teeth in front of and behind the missing tooth are prepared, just like when making a crown, so that a dental technician can fabricate the bridge.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell that is attached to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance. Veneers can be made of composite or porcelain.
Composite veneers
When composite veneers are placed, this is done using a direct technique. This means the veneer is created and finished directly in the mouth. The advantage of a composite veneer is that it can be made in a single appointment and, compared to a porcelain veneer, the cost is lower. The disadvantages are that they are often less aesthetic than porcelain veneers and wear or discolor more quickly.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain is the most aesthetic material for making a veneer. For a porcelain veneer, a small amount of tooth structure is removed, and an impression or scan is taken. A dental laboratory then fabricates the veneer. While you wait for your permanent veneer(s), the dentist places temporary veneers over the prepared teeth to protect them.
