Some people may walk around for much of their adult life with a row of bad teeth that they feel are too difficult or expensive to fix, often these teeth will eventually fall out or have already been knocked out due to some or other facial trauma. The quality of their life goes downhill because they become self-conscious about gaps in their smile and find eating to be quite difficult, but at the Cosmetic and Dental Implants Clinic Stockton, we can fix bad teeth and close gaps easily with the use of crowns and bridges to not only transform a smile but restore the functionality of the teeth as well.

What are crowns and bridges and how are they made?

Crowns – these are used as a cap for the top of a broken or chipped tooth or a tooth that has had major endodontic work like root canal therapy. They are commonly made from dental porcelain which exactly mimics the colour and transparency of real teeth making for a convincing restoration of the tooth, however, they can also be composed of a resin or dental composite which also looks like real teeth but instead of being carved out of porcelain they are moulded and sculpted to fit the tooth on the spit. In some cases people may opt for a restorative crown to be made of stainless metal or gold, this is an expensive option and a wholly aesthetic choice on the part of the wearer.

Bridges – this is a row of false teeth all stuck together perfectly alongside each other to replace two or more missing teeth. Most commonly these are made from porcelain which can last a very long time and feel like real teeth but in the case of a patient who is on a tight budget they can be made out of a coloured resin material.

Can they close very large gaps?

Yes, dental bridges are designed to replace a row of missing teeth without having to go in and replace each tooth, in turn, one long row of fixed teeth are set in place at once. These are often supported by crowns which are fixed to the top of the teeth on the side of the row to hold the bride in place, hence the name bridge, however, this method can sometimes see the bridge coming loose or breaking.

Can they be fixed in place?

Yes, a dental bridge can be fixed in place with dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is set into the jaw bone, attached to this screw is an abutment which sits above the gum and dentists can then attached the bride of teeth to the abutment in order to secure them in place, a single implant can hold two or 3 teeth in place while two implants can support a much larger bridge. If patients would like to go for this option they need to know that they may have to wait 6 months for the implant to properly fuse with the bone before any bridges can be fixed to it, during this waiting period they will have to wear a temporary bridge in order to close the gap.

When it comes to choosing the right restorative method to give you that glorious smile you once had, there are many treatments to choose from.

Depending on which aspects of your smile you are aiming to bolster, you and your dentist may be more inclined to lean in a certain direction. For example, if you want to straighten a minor misalignment at the front of your mouth, it may be recommended that you undertake a cosmetic brace like Invisalign.

But in other instances, the decision is not so clear cut; many cosmetic dental options can offer similar advantages depending on a patient’s presentation, so you may be stuck between choosing from 2 very similar treatments.

In this article, 2 cosmetic options will be compared and contrasted; professional dental whitening and porcelain veneers in Wagga.

How are they similar?

If you want a whiter smile, it is likely you will approach your dentist to discuss how to make this happen. Depending on the type of staining you have, your dental team may be more inclined to use either an at-home whitening kit or may suggest cleaning your teeth in the surgery, sometimes they will combine both!

However, with the invention of porcelain veneers near Wagga Wagga, there is now an alternative to using traditional bleaching methods. Allowing patients to experience the same benefits that they would from traditional whitening, without the bleach, veneers may be more suited to patients who suffer from issues with sensitive teeth.

So, which one is more suitable for you?

Time

In simple terms, porcelain veneers will take longer to make; so you may be waiting up to 10 weeks for them to come back from the dental technicians.

Whitening, however, takes a maximum of 14 days with most dental methods, allowing you a whiter smile in a shorter period.

Quality of results

Interestingly, the porcelain which is used to make the cosmetic coverings is less porous than enamel. Ergo, in the long-term, they will be less susceptible to staining and will provide you with a longer-lasting, whiter smile.

While traditional dental whitening with oxidising gels will provide long term results, if you consume a highly acidic diet, you may notice that the staining reoccurs.

Sensitivity

When it comes to sensitive teeth, it can be less than appealing to have a dental professional use bleaching products. While your dentist will take every care to ensure that your gums are protected, if you have sensitivity but want a whiter smile, you may want to choose porcelain coverings.

Price

While the price you pay for whitening your smile will depend on the method used, in general whitening via a dentist and an at-home kit is often more cost-effective. However, should you wish to also conceal a crack, chip or minor gap in your teeth along with whitening your smile, you may be more suited to having porcelain coverings fitted.

If you need any more guidance regarding treatment suitability and sustaining a brighter smile, talk to your dentist.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

When it comes to restorative dentistry, oral implants have paved the way for more patients to receive both the smiles they want and the bite strength they need.

Differing from traditional dentures or bridges, implants are fitted to the jaw and, after a period of fusing, a prosthetic tooth or set of teeth are attached, allowing the patient to bite into food with no concerns about movement. Great stuff!

While this all sounds relatively straightforward, there are strict criteria that have to be adhered to by all dental practitioners to ensure that once an implant is fitted, it will offer a long-term solution to the missing tooth it has replaced. If your dentist discovers that your jawline is too thin, or has been damaged, this may disqualify you from having the traditional endosteal implant fitted. Why? Because this implant type is either too wide or too long to offer the required support for a prosthetic to be placed on top.

And, while traditional dental implants in Melbourne may not sound large (an average of 3.5 mm), there are even smaller alternatives that you may be suited for.

What are micro-implants?

Well, it’s in the name!

Based on traditional endosteal implants, micro dental implants from Melbourne are an average of 3.0 mm in size.

Unlike endosteal implants which are composed of 3 parts; the implant, the abutment and the prosthesis, mini dental implants near Melbourne are made from only 2 parts; the implant and the prosthesis. Like regular implants, they are attached to your jaw but they do not take the same amount of time to fuse as regular implants, offering a faster turn around when it comes to fitting your false tooth or teeth.

Do they offer any advantages over regular implants?

Yes!

As they are smaller and less complicated to attach, they can be fitted in just one day.

The surgery to attach them is generally considered less invasive than regular implants, which allows for faster healing too. You may not even need pain relief once the surgery has been completed.

They are also ideal for patients who have suffered from substantial bone loss. Unlike regular implants which may require bone grafting or augmentation to attach, mini implants don’t require such extensive measures. These implants also stimulate bone growth the way regular ones do too!

Is everyone suited for mini implants?

Unfortunately, no. Some criteria may disqualify certain people from having them.

Mini implants (just like regular ones) are best suited to people who do not have periodontal disease, as this will shorten their longevity.

Mini implants cannot be used for patients who are looking to have molars replaced; they are more suited to restoring teeth at the front.

Also, as your dentist will tell you if you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol regularly, it is not advisable to have mini implants fitted. As they are not as deeply set in the jaw as other implant types are, a smaller amount of inflammation can cause them to fail.

DISCLAIMER

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.