Veneers, Crown, Bridge & Denture
Prosthodontics is a field of dentistry that restores tooth structure and replaces missing teeth and soft tissue, with an emphasis on restoring natural function and appearance. Our prosthodontics services include: veneers, crowns, bridges, denture, implant prosthetics and oral rehabilitation. We also manage parafunctional anomalies, such as bruxism grinding of teeth temporo-mandibular joint disorder pain and inflammation affecting the jaw joint and (associated muscles), snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Veneers
Veneers are custom-designed tooth-like thin ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, chips or cracks. In addition to being esthetically pleasing, dental veneers can also serve a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth. The two most common materials used in the fabrication of dental veneers are composite resin and porcelain veneers. Of the two options, porcelain veneers are longer lasting and more expensive.
Once veneers are bonded into place, they are relatively strong and durable. However, care must be taken because the thin porcelain shells can damage or break. Your dentist may advise you against certain uses or dietary tendencies. If you a bruxer you grind or clench your teeth unconsciously during sleep, your dentist may recommend that you wear a protective appliance at night.
Crown And Bridge
Crown and bridge (multiple units of crowns joined together) may be used to protect a cracked tooth or restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay. Unlike conventional dentures, crowns and bridges are not removable. The procedure is the dentist prepares the tooth and makes a molded impression of the teeth to be sent to a dental laboratory. A fitted, temporary crown is created during this visit to temporarily protect the tooth while the final restoration is being made in the dental laboratory. Once completed, the crown is cemented at the next visit. There are essentially three different types of crowns, depending on materials used, as follows:
- Porcelain-fused- to-metal
- Full porcelain
- Full metal
The final material selected is determined by a few factors such as clinical need, aesthetic expectation, material durability and costs consideration.
Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances with artificial teeth. They are made of plastic acrylic or a combination of plastic and metal cobalt (chromium). Alternatively you can also ask for flexible Valplast dentures. The innovation of the biocompatible Valplast flexible material allows the dentures to adapt to the constant movement and flexibility in your mouth.
There are basically two types of dentures:
- Partial dentures: if you have lost some of your teeth
- Complete/Full dentures: if you have lost either all your upper or lower teeth
Fabrication usually takes a few visits whereby during the first visit, the dentist makes a molded impression of the teeth to be sent to a dental laboratory. You may be asked to return to the clinic for “trying-in”. Once completed, the dentures will be issued to you. Dentures tend to accelerate bone loss which makes dentures wearing more uncomfortable in later years. It is recommended that dentures should be replaced every 3-5 years.
