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Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay, can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile. The cosmetic dental solutions available today can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded or broken down as the result of dental decay.
Cosmetic dental procedures can range from treatments that are relatively quick and non-invasive to more comprehensive plans of care to restore incomplete smiles that have been affected by severely damaged, lost, or missing teeth.
When the natural structure of a tooth has been extensively damaged or compromised due to dental decay, damaged fillings, root canals, or habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth, a dental filling may not be adequate for its repair. In such cases, dental crowns, also commonly referred to as caps, are recommended to effectively restore the natural integrity, function, and appearance of the affected tooth.
Out of all the materials that are available today for a full coverage restoration, metal-free crowns, also known as all ceramic crowns, offer the most lifelike and biocompatible results. Strong and durable, ceramic crowns are lighter in weight than dental crowns that incorporate a metal substructure and are also kinder to the surrounding soft tissues. Furthermore, ceramic crowns present no problems for individuals with sensitivities to various metals. Since they are fabricated of the highest grade of dental ceramics, ceramic crowns most closely approximate the natural translucency of your own teeth.
Custom fabricated for the optimal health and aesthetic of a patient's smile, ceramic crowns can also be indicated for an array of dental treatments, ranging from the cosmetic restoration of discolored teeth, to the coverage of a structurally damaged tooth, dental implant, or as the supporting ends of a dental bridge.
Since they are fabricated of the highest grade of dental ceramics, ceramic crowns most closely approximate the natural translucency of your own teeth. Ask us about E.Max and Zirconia!
If your teeth suffer from gaps, chips, stains, or discolorations you may be a candidate for porcelain veneers, a highly effective and minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that can achieve beautiful results.
Porcelain veneers are thin facings custom-made of the highest quality ceramic materials that are designed to fit perfectly over the front of your teeth. One of the most conservative cosmetic treatments available, veneers can mask a host of dental imperfections to give you the smile that you have always wanted. Porcelain veneers not only enhance and improve the shape of your teeth, they are able to create an overall whiter and brighter smile.
One of the most appealing aspects of the process of fabricating porcelain veneers is that they involve minimal tooth preparation and take just a few visits. Porcelain veneers, once they are fabricated and fitted, are permanently bonded to the underlying teeth. The result is a naturally pleasing smile that is both strong and durable.
When teeth are missing, a series of changes that can impact your overall dental health and jaw function may begin to develop. The adjacent teeth may start to drift or tilt into the space, and teeth in the opposing jaw may start to shift toward the area of the missing tooth. It is therefore important to replace either the single tooth or multiple teeth that are missing from this area. One of the best options to prevent the consequences of shifting teeth and to restore full function to a small edentulous section in the mouth is a dental bridge.
A dental bridge replaces the missing teeth with artificial teeth called “pontics,” and is supported on the ends by prepared natural teeth. Once fabricated and fitted a dental bridge will be permanently “fixed,” or cemented into place. Like crowns, bridges can be made of either porcelain baked on to a metal substrate or many of the new ceramic materials that have been developed.
In certain cases inlays and onlays are recommended as alternative restorations to amalgam or tooth colored fillings. Known as indirect fillings, since they are fabricated outside of the mouth, inlays or onlays can be made from either gold, porcelain or resin materials. The material selected depends upon the exact requirements of the individual case. Inlays/onlays are individually fabricated restorations that are designed to precisely fit the excavated and prepared area of a tooth that has been damaged by decay or other injury. While an inlay is used to restore the central portion of a back tooth, an onlay is a larger restoration that extends out over one or more cusps of the tooth. In certain cases an onlay can cover and support enough tooth structure to avert the need for a full coverage dental crown. Once the fit of the custom made inlay/onlay is checked, it is permanently cemented or bonded to the underlying prepared tooth structure.
