Crowns, veneers and bridges are used for a number of reasons: replacing missing teeth, replacing damaged teeth or cosmetically, to improve the appearance of teeth. They all involve impressions being taken and sent off to our laboratory, Zahntechnique in Miami, who then produce the actual ‘teeth’. As well as impressions, Dr Mark will often take photographs to show the lab the appearance of your teeth- shape, colour and position- so the technician can create the most natural appearance for you. Click here to see more information about our lab.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin porcelain cover designed to go on the outside surface of a tooth. Veneers are only used on front teeth and are generally used for cosmetic purposes, for example to restore chipped or broken teeth, or to change the colour, size or shape of teeth.
Each veneer, crown, bridge or implant must fit precisely and match the color of each individual mouth. Our crowns can only be as good as the dentist who prepares the tooth. We are impressed with the up to date techniques, demand for perfection, and attention to detail he brings to his practice. Each case he has sent us has been perfectly presented.
Veneers generally require a small amount of preparation of the natural teeth after which the patient will wear temporary veneers while the porcelain ones are being produced by the lab. This period is around 2 -3 weeks. The porcelain veneers are then fixed to the teeth with a tooth coloured bonding material to give a completely natural appearance. Veneers are generally strong although still more delicate than a full coverage crown just due to the fact that the porcelain, whilst strong, is thinner. We advise patients with veneers to avoid putting too much pressure on the edges and so to avoid chewing on bones eg. ribs or chicken wings, finger nails and the ends of pens!
Thanks Mark! Love my ‘new tooth’ (as much as one can really ‘love’ a new tooth) Have been wanting to get it fixed for 15+ years – nice to not see that ugly black when I smile now. It looks great – thankyou!
Crowns
A more robust solution than a veneer is a crown, sometimes called a cap. A crown covers the whole tooth above the gum and is suitable for both front and back teeth. Crowns involve a greater reduction of the natural tooth’s surface than a veneer but the result is greater strength. Crowns are used both for cosmetic and clinical reasons, for example when a tooth is badly decayed but the root is still intact.
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials designed for difference circumstances; all porcelain (like a veneer but around the whole tooth) or porcelain with a strengthened core such as zirconium, procera or metal. Dr Mark will choose the most suitable material for your individual case. In all cases only the tooth-coloured porcelain is visible and, when completed, the teeth will look indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Crowns can be made purely of gold. This is a cosmetic choice and with the current price of gold can be a rather expensive option.
Bridges
A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth and, unlike a denture, is permanently fixed in place. A bridge is attached to adjacent teeth (either natural teeth or implants) and carries one or more artificial crowns to fill the gap of the missing teeth. If several or lots of teeth are missing more than one bridge may be the solution. Dr Mark prefers to break down bridges into smaller units which gives greater strength and stability and if necessary use implants to replace missing teeth to reduce the span of larger bridges. Bridges can be made with a framework cast of precious metal alloy with porcelain bonded to the surface or a zirconium (an extremely strong white material) framework again with porcelain bonded to surface. With either method you will achieve an excellent aesthetic result, indistinguishable from your natural teeth.