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 customisable colours and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
Crowns
A dental crown is a step up from an inlay or onlay. Here at Metro Dental we use crowns for restorative purposes as well as cosmetic improvement when appropriate. Crowns may be made with a metal substructure or as a completely metal-free restoration. We work around your needs to determine the most appropriate treatment for long-term beauty and function.
Some of the situations in which a crown may be used include a break or fracture in a tooth, the replacement of a large filling, or protecting a tooth that has been treated with root canal therapy. Cosmetically, a crown may create a more attractive appearance by covering a discoloured or oddly shaped tooth. Additionally, crowns are integral to tooth replacement, used both with dental bridges and with dental implant treatment.
Procedure:
We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customised
We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
You will come in again for permanent crown fitting
Bridges
The dental bridge is a prosthetic used to replace a missing tooth or a few missing teeth. A common type of bridge is the fixed bridge, which looks like three or more “teeth” in a single unit. At each end of the bridge is a dental crown, which will be fitted over a natural tooth to anchor the bridge. The stability gained by the teeth on each end of the empty space facilitates efficient, comfortable chewing.
We perform restorative care with an eye for a natural appearance as well as long-term success. Contact the team at Metro Dental to schedule your visit with our friendly, experienced practitioners.
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
Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”
Veneers
A Veneer is a thin layer of porcelain used to cover the front of a tooth.
Dental Veneers are considered for several reasons such as when the enamel has become worn, chipped or discoloured or the teeth have become misaligned.
Dental Veneers are extremely thin but once bonded to the tooth are unbelievably strong. They are able to block out undesirable colours, such as from a very dark underlying tooth and allow the beauty of the veneers to shine through. At Metro Dental we frequently use Dental Veneers to create a smile that is natural and beautiful.
Common uses for veneers:
Chipped or broken teeth
Misshapen or irregular teeth
Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
“Dr Jolene Chapman is a registered specialist Prosthodontist with extensive experience and interest in this type of treatment.”