Indirect Esthetic Restorations
As the name suggests, they are custom fabricated in the lab and fixed onto the teeth. It’s always suggested in teeth with extensive damage, decay or cosmetic concerns. These include veneers and teeth crowns.
Veneers: Custom made shells of material either composite or porcelain that is bonded to the front surface of the teeth to improve the smile. They are usually suggested to cover discolorations, minor chips or misalignments. They camouflage the cosmetic flaws.
How is it being done?
Multiple visits are needed. Our team will check and let you know if you are the right candidate. The teeth are cleaned and minimally prepared. The impression is recorded and sent to the lab to customize the veneers. The color, shape and fit are checked and it’s snapped on to the teeth and fixed permanently with a bonding material.
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
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You can resume all your routine activities immediately. |
Don’t brush with hard abrasive toothpastes. |
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Brush and floss regularly to prevent decay of natural teeth under the crowns. |
Avoid colored foods and drinks. |
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Come for regular check-ups every 6 months. |
Never bite directly into hard or crunchy foods. Chew these foods from your back teeth. |
Veneers are a cornerstone of modern dentistry, that blends in with the natural teeth and enhance your beautiful smile.
The image below describes a case of upper front teeth discoloration and treated by veneers. Conservative preparations, excellent finish and color match makes it a right choice.
Dental Crowns:
Tooth crowns or caps: Tooth-shaped coverings that are fixed onto the teeth fully to restore the form and function. It’s either made from metal, resin or porcelain materials.
Who needs the crown?
It’s usually indicated in teeth that are
- Injured- fractured or cracked teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
- Weakened teeth
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Root canal treated teeth
- To support dental bridge or implants
Crowns are made with various types of materials.
Metal : Stainless steel is used to make crowns. But they are not esthetically acceptable. They are durable and withstand chewing forces and can be done in back teeth.
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns : These combine the natural appearance of porcelain and strength of the metal.
All ceramic crowns : Their natural looking appearance makes them the right choice for front teeth.
Zirconia crowns : Their excellent color matching, strength and durability makes them the best choice for both front and back teeth.
Ask us if you are the right candidate to get one. We are here to clarify all your concerns. Our team will check if you need a crown.
The procedural steps are charted out here:
- Teeth preparation : The decay portion is removed and the overall teeth are re-shaped small to fix the replacement crown.
- Impression : In our clinic, digital impressions are recorded with the latest scanners and sent to the lab for making the crown.
- The fit of the crown is checked for color match, marginal fit and occlusal bite. It’s fixed onto the teeth with permanent cement.
Debunking the myths of wearing dental crowns:
1) Teeth with dental crowns don’t decay: The crown per se is decay-proof but, the teeth below the crown are prone to decay. Hence, maintaining oral hygiene is very important to prevent cavities.
2) The crowns don’t look natural: Many people have a fear that the crown may look fake or artificial. With advanced technology, several materials have come which give a more natural look and color match.
3) Crowns are only used for restorative purposes: Yes, mostly crowns are used to restore decayed teeth, fractured, root canal treated teeth. But they can be used for cosmetic purposes to enhance the tooth’s shape and appearance.
4) Crowns get stained by food and beverages: In reality, crowns don’t easily stain with food and beverages.
5) Crowns last forever: Although crowns are stronger and have longevity, replacements may be needed. Periodic check-ups and maintenance are needed; visit us once in 6 months.
6) Crowns don’t break or chip:Though, metals, porcelain, and zirconia are harder substances, biting on extremely hard foods may cause breakage in crowns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The price of crowns may vary based on the type of materials used and the lab costs. Our team will discuss with you the various options during consultations and help you to choose the best one.
You might have to come 2-3 times in an interval of 4-5 days. Our team will keep you informed about the process and steps.
