Crowns, Implants and Whitening

Crown

A Crown is a type of dental restoration which covers a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are recommended when extensive damage threatens the ongoing integrity and health of the tooth or for cosmetic reasons.

Temporary crowns are made of resins or plastics. Permanent crowns are made of metals, metal and ceramics or all ceramics.

Bridge

A bridge literally spans a gap that has been created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of one or more crowns bonded together and the teeth on either side of the gap are then used to support the bridge.

Implants

Implants are screw type fixtures covered in titanium, which are placed in bone and osseointegration occurs to bond the implant to the bone. Healing can take 3-6 months depending on patient’s health. Restoration with an implant crown takes place after this healing and integration phase.

Veneers

Veneers are wafer thin custom made shells of ceramic or composite filling material designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. These veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their colour, shape, size and length.

Tooth Whitening / Bleaching

Tooth whitening in cosmetic dentistry restores natural tooth colour while tooth bleaching whitens beyond the natural tooth colour. There are many methods available on the market today i.e.

• Brushing with a whitening toothpaste
• Bleaching stripes
• Bleaching gel
• Laser bleaching

The bleach used is carbamide peroxide which reacts with water to produce hydrogen peroxide which in turn penetrates the tooth surface and structure and breaks down stains and protein bonds in the dentine