Bridges, Crowns & Veneers
Bridges
Overview
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth placed where a tooth is missing. This artificial tooth is then attached to the teeth on either side. Dental bridges can be utilised where implants cannot physically be placed, for instance, if there is not enough bone, or if there are medical conditions that would advise against implant treatment. Bridges are also less costly than implants.
There are many benefits of dental Bridges, including smile restoration, maintaining the shape of your face, restoring the ability to chew better and preventing any tooth drifting.
Appointment Information
During the first visit for a dental bridge, the teeth are prepared, preparation can involve re-contouring these teeth. Next, impressions of the teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge will be made by a dental lab. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.
During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. If the dental bridge is a fixed bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple of weeks, the bridge is cemented into place.
Pricing
Bridges (per tooth): From £725
Frequently Asked Questions
More frequently than not, missing teeth can cause the adjacent teeth to over-erupt and shift, leading to health, hygiene and bite problems. Whilst this should be monitored with your dentist regularly, replacing a missing tooth should be strongly considered.
Dental implants are the top choice when replacing a missing tooth. However, bridges can be super useful in the interim while an area is healing. After the area is healed and strong enough, you can relieve an implant.
Additionally, bridges are a very useful alternative for patients who cannot have implants due to financial or medical reasons.
Dental bridges can last 5 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.
Crowns
Overview
Crowns are a permanent dental restoration solution that are applied to the full surface of the tooth. Dental crowns are more invasive than veneers and require much more tooth adjustment, however, they tend to be more durable and longer-lasting.
When a tooth has become very weak for any number of reasons, it is likely to need a crown. The weakened tooth is shaped and prepared in order for the crown to be placed on top of it.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth to cover it. The crown restores the tooth’s shape, size, and strength and improves its appearance. The crown will therefore act to protect the underlying tooth structure and prevent it from fracturing.
Crowns are usually made from cast metal and porcelain. Gold crowns are the strongest type but are not as aesthetic as porcelain type ones.
Appointment Information
Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two visits to the dentist. The first step involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second visit involves placement of the permanent crown.
At the first visit in preparation for a crown, your dentist may take a few X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth's pulp, a root canal treatment may first be performed.
Your tooth may also need to be slightly re-shaped, after re-shaping impressions are made so as to not affect your bite.
The impressions are sent to a dental lab where the crown will be manufactured. The crown is usually returned to the dentist in two to three weeks.
During this first visit, your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns usually are made of an acrylic like material and are held in place using temporary cement.
At the second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and colour of the permanent crown. If everything is acceptable, a local anaesthetic will be used to numb the tooth and the new crown is permanently cemented in place.
The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Pricing
Crowns: From £695
Full Gold Available
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years. The lifespan of a crown depends on your dental hygiene and how well you take care of your mouth. Grinding your teeth can affect the crown. Also, be sure to note that having a crown does not mean your tooth is immune to decay or gum disease.
Teeth that have had root canal treatment will have become weaker and are at greater risk of fracture. It is always recommended to have a crown placed on a tooth that has had root canal treatment. very useful alternative for patients who cannot have implants due to financial or medical reasons.
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials. If porcelain is chosen, we will always endeavour to match it to your natural tooth shade.
Veneers
Overview
Porcelain veneers are custom made, ultra-thin shells of tooth-coloured porcelain that are applied to the surface of the teeth. They are used to correct dental issues including worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, tooth discolouration, and chips or cracks.
Porcelain veneers mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth and the characteristics of tooth enamel incredibly well, as they can be made very thin and translucent. They will not damage your natural tooth underneath and ensure the longevity of tooth restorations.
Porcelain veneers are usually applied to 4-6 teeth for consistency, thereby approving the shape and symmetry of your smile.
Appointment Information
Careful planning is provided, along with extensive discussions to understand our patient's needs and expectations with their veneers.
Generally, porcelain veneers require two dentist visits after your consultation. The first will be to consult the teeth’s condition if any minor adjustments, shaping or whitening is required and the following appointment will be to apply these natural-looking restorations to the teeth.
Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth, from which a mould of your mouth will be made, we will decide on the size, shape, colour and design of the porcelain veneers. This impression may be sent to a dental laboratory where the veneers will be professionally fabricated.
It can be advised to whiten your teeth before this procedure so that our experts help you choose the colour of your porcelain veneers. This can help to ensure the best and most satisfying final results.
After this treatment, there will likely be some sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages for a short time due to having a thin layer of enamel removed. This should disappear in a few days. Avoiding hot and cold foods is recommended for the first few days to allow the veneers to settle.
Pricing
Veneers (per tooth): From £725
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all, as this treatment is limited to the outer surface of the teeth, which is the non-sensitive area. Teeth do not need to be drilled down, only in some cases will there be any pre-treatments required for the teeth, such as the starting shade and condition of the teeth.
Porcelain is a very long-lasting material and is prone to very little discolouration over time. Correctly designed and accurately placed porcelain veneers by an experienced cosmetic dentist can last over 10-15 years. They do not require any special care other than regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist.
The colour of porcelain cannot be changed by whitening gels. The colour you choose for your porcelain veneers will be the final shade. We will of course advise and assist you in making this important decision.