Dental crowns are tooth-shaped coverings that restore the shape, size, or color of damaged or decayed teeth. Crowns come in a variety of materials, including porcelain, composite resin, zirconia, and gold. Depending on the severity and location of your weakened tooth, your dentist can recommend the right crown material for you.
Crowns are durable and natural-looking. They blend in with the rest of your natural teeth while restoring the appearance and function of teeth in need of repair.
Every tooth consists of two important portions: the crown and the root. When you lose an adult tooth, the bone that once held the root breaks down. This is why, even when you have a replacement tooth, it never feels and functions like your natural teeth. It’s not connected to the bone to secure it.
Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. These small posts are made of biocompatible metal that your dentist places in your jaw. Once placed, implants connect to your new replacement teeth and secure them in place.
A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements.
A veneer, in dentistry, is a thin material that is applied to the outside of the tooth. A veneer could be applied for aesthetic purposes or it could be placed on a tooth that needs additional protection.
Tooth bonding applies a tooth-colored composite resin to one or more of your teeth to repair damage. It’s a cost-effective solution because it’s considerably less expensive than other cosmetic dental procedures, such as crowns and veneers.
A bridge is a dental device used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges consist of false teeth held in place by crowns, implants, or porcelain framework adjacent to the missing tooth.
Fixed bridges are the most common, containing one or more false teeth — or “pontics” — held in place by dental crowns on either side.
Professional teeth whitening effectively breaks up both extrinsic (surface) and intrinsic (deep) stains from your teeth. Unlike over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, which can only remove surface stains, professional teeth whitening provides dramatic results in a short time.
There are many types of professional teeth whitening available. Traditionally, when people think of professional whitening treatments, they picture chairside whitening. These treatments use a combination of powerful peroxide-based solutions and LED light technology to whiten teeth in as little as one visit.
Dentures are false teeth, historically made from a variety of materials. They are supported both by their own design and against both hard and soft tissues in the mouth. Dentures are also generally removed daily, as only a part-time replacement for missing teeth.
Sealants are bonding agents used between substrates of different physical properties to form a seal between the materials. Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities.
A night guard, or bruxism appliance, is a transparent, thin device you wear over the biting surface of your teeth, when sleeping. It prevents your top and bottom teeth from touching.