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Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discolouration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth, usually your front teeth only as the porcelain will be too thin to withstand heavy chewing forces on the big molar teeth.

 

Crowns

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those teeth with semi-intact crown structure and intact root(s). The tooth may be damaged, fractured or decayed on the crown surface.

Procedure:

  1. We will reduce the problematic tooth by a thickness of 1-2mm all around for a proper crown fit

  2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication

  3. The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized

  4. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one

  5. You will come in again for permanent crown fitting

Bridges

This is an option to replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area and lot of underlying bone loss), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants. Special care will be needed to keep the underside of the bridge clean - you will be shown the tools and techniques.

Types of Bridges:

  • Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one.

  • Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one. This is rarely done.

  • Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”. This is often suitable for front teeth only.

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

  • Chipped or broken teeth

  • Misshapen or irregular teeth

  • Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments