PROSTHODONTICS

Replacing missing teeth
Dental Crowns

Also called caps, crowns are dental restorations that are placed over a tooth when other procedures like bonding are simply not enough. Inlays and onlays are similar to a partial crown, most often made of porcelain. An inlay substitutes for a filling, while on onlay covers more than just the tooth’s surface. An onlay usually replaces a filling and coats one or more of the tip of the tooth. A crown restores your tooth’s function, enhances its aesthetic appeal and improves the health of your mouth. At the first visit, your cosmetic dentist will shape your teeth to stabilize your tooth structure in order to better fit the crown. Once your teeth have been prepared for your crowns, your cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the dental lab for further restorations. At this time, you and your dentist can choose the shape, size and color of the crown. While you’re waiting for the permanent restoration, your cosmetic dentist will insert a temporary one inside your mouth. At the second visit, your dentist will take out your temporary restoration and replace it with your new crown. After the crown has been adjusted to your tooth, an adhesive agent is applied to permanently secure it.

When are Dental Crowns Used?

In some cases, the dentist may need to perform a root canal before inserting dental crowns. If this occurs, the dentist must construct the foundation for the dental crown after root canal therapy. This is known as “post-and-core” foundation. On your first visit, your dentist will examine and prepare your tooth by taking X-rays. Before making your crown, your dentist will administer local anesthetics to numb your tooth and gum tissue. The tooth is then prepared to make room for the crown. An impression of the tooth and neighbouring teeth is made, and while the crown is being developed, a temporary acrylic crown covers the tooth. Temporaries as they are commonly referred to are worn until your permanent crown comes back from the dental lab.

The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory to create the permanent crown. This permanent crown will be returned to the dental office in two to three weeks and sometimes sooner depending on turnaround time. Some dental offices offer CEREC crowns which can be made in the same office visit. The crowns encase the visible fragment of a tooth. At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and examine the fit of the permanent one. Once the crown is a good fit and colour, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to insert the new, permanent crown.

Why use Dental Crowns?
  • To protect a weak tooth
  • To recondition a broken tooth
  • To hide discoloured or malformed teeth
  • After Root Canal Treatment (RCT)
Types of Dental Crowns
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM) - Dental Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look like natural teeth and are stronger than ceramic crowns. PFM crowns can be matched to your natural teeth so they provide an attractive appearance. However, the porcelain portion can be chipped off and the underlying metal can peer through as a dark line. Stronger than all-porcelain crowns, PFM crowns also wear down, and can show more of the dark line as the gum recedes. PFM crowns are a good choice for front or back teeth as they are strong enough and aesthetically pleasing

Porcelain Crowns (metal free)

These crowns have superior aesthetics as compared to PFM crowns, and commonly placed for anterior teeth.

Dentures
What are dentures?

Dentures replace missing teeth and their adjacent tissues with a removable dental appliance made of acrylic resin and, in some cases, a combination of metals.

What are the different types of dentures?

There are four primary types of dentures:

  • Complete: This type of denture replaces all of the teeth and their adjacent tissues.
  • Partial: Partial dentures act as dental bridges as they "bridge" the gap between a missing tooth or teeth.
  • Conventional: Conventional dentures allow a recovery time of about 4 to 8 weeks after all the teeth are extracted before the dentures are placed in the mouth.
  • Immediate: This type of denture does not allow a healing period after all of the teeth are removed. The denture is immediately fit into the mouth after all teeth are removed. Additional adjustments in the fitting of this type of denture procedure may be necessary as healing occurs.
Oral health care and dentures:
  • Daily remove and brush the denture carefully with a brush and toothpaste, both specifically designed for denture cleaning.
  • Avoid the use of harsh abrasive cleaners on your denture.
  • Avoid cleaning and/or sterilizing your denture in boiling water, or damage to the denture is likely to occur.
  • If a partial denture is in place, remove it before brushing the natural teeth.
  • Once removed, keep the denture in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
  • Once removed, soak the denture in a proper cleansing solution or water.
  • Have your teeth cleaned every 6 months by an oral health professional