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| Bridges |
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| Veneers |
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If a tooth is missing, leaving a space behind, there are several options for its replacement.
Bridgework is one of the available treatments and is probably the most cost effective as it can provide excellent aesthetics and function on a restoration that is permanently fixed into the mouth. Unlike dentures, a bridge is bonded or cemented in place.
If the teeth next to the space are suitable, then they are used to retain the bridge tooth. Bridges can not only fill spaces, they can help to stop teeth drifting into spaces which can lead to an unstable bite or exacerbate gum problems.
Unlike implants, no surgical procedure is required,
although it usually requires some preparation
of the tooth or teeth next to the space.
The bridge is usually made in porcelain with an invisible metal sub-frame for strength and functions as a normal tooth would. Cleaning is straightforward and regular check-ups will help to ensure that your bridge provides many years of service!
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Porcelain veneers are very popular at present and you can understand why when you see the amazing improvements that can be made in a very short period.
Traditionally, spaced, rotated or crooked teeth would require months if not years of brace-wearing. Worn, chipped or discoloured teeth would require crowns which can be quite destructive to natural tooth substance. Porcelain veneers have changed this by allowing the dentist to re-shape the appearance of the teeth from the front by adhering a porcelain laminate or layer to the front of the tooth. Your own tooth is almost entirely preserved behind the veneer as only minimal preparation is usually required. The colour, shape, length, width can all be altered, gaps can be closed and crooked teeth straightened and the whole process can be complete in a matter of a few weeks!
Once the porcelain is bonded to the tooth it functions as the original enamel, feeling strong and tooth-like for many, many years. |
Traditionally, crowns have been made in gold-alloy for back teeth, and porcelain or porcelain and metal for front teeth.
Although gold is an excellent material for making crowns it is not tooth coloured, it stands out in the mouth. Older types of Porcelain and metal crowns can appear “grey” and tend to show their dark metal edges after a few years, giving an unsightly “outline” at the gum edge.
Advances in ceramic technology allow the use of non-metal crowns which can be chemically bonded to the tooth. This allows us to use a thinner layer of porcelain, which means that less of the tooth has to be ground away in the first place.
At Apollonia House we use the latest Alumina and Zirconium cored porcelain crowns and can even have your all-ceramic crown made in one appointment using CEREC-3D technology. A process requiring no impressions/ moulds, no temporary crown and no second visit.
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