Aesthetic Dentistry – Page 3 – prestige-dental-care.com.my

05/Mar/2011

Resin Veneers or better know as composite veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored, translucent filling, custom made to fit over teeth and improve their color, shape and overall appearance. Placement of composite veneers can dramatically improve your smile and appearance.

Composite veneer technique

Types of problems that composite veneers can correct

Placement of dental veneers is sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because they can be used to cover a variety of dental problems involving teeth in the “smile zone” including:

Spaces between the teeth.
Conical or ‘peg’ shape lateral incisor.
Poorly shaped or crooked teeth.
Broken or chipped teeth.
Permanently externally stained and/or internally stained teeth.
Unsightly or stained fillings.

DSC_0093 (Copy) — Generalize spacing and ‘peg’ shape right lateral incisor

DSC_0014 (Copy) — Unsightly or stained fillings

Dental veneers (either composite or porcelain veneer) can improve the appearance of the teeth but they cannot realign the jaw or correct overbites and underbites. Orthodontics are required to correct these more complicated problems.

The advantages of composite resin veneers vs. porcelain veneers

Composite veneers can be done on the spot. The time spent might be from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more depends on the number of tooth involved. They do not required second visit.
Composite veneers produce the same aesthetic result as porcelain veneers. Therefore, no one can tell whether you have a composite or porcelain done except your dentist!
Composite veneers can be repair if there is any chipping or fracture.
Composite veneers are very cheap (From MYR150 toMYR250 per tooth; depends on how difficult and big the defect is).

The major disadvantages of porcelain veneers over composite resin include the following:

Porcelain veneers are not made at chairside. Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory and therefore require at least two visits. Composite resin veneers are accomplished in one visit. An adequate amount of tooth structure is removed to allow for placement of composite resin in the desired shape without added tooth bulk. Bonding agent is applied. Composite resin is then added, light cured, then finished and polished.
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers. The placement of veneers requires more time, expertise and resources in order to fabricate and bond and therefore cost more.
Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired. If they break porcelain veneers must be replaced.

The advantages of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers have several advantages compared to composite resin including:

Porcelain veneers are very durable. Although porcelain veneers are very thin, usually between 0.5 – 0.7 millimeters and inherently brittle, once bonded to healthy tooth structure it becomes very strong. Porcelain veneers can last for many years, usually 10-15 years, if you take good care of them using good oral hygiene and avoiding using them to crack or chew hard objects like ice.
Porcelain veneers create a very life-like and natural tooth appearance. The translucent properties of the porcelain allows the veneers to mimic the light handling characteristics of enamel giving it a sense of depth which is not possible with other cosmetic bonding materials such as composite resin.
Porcelain veneers resist staining. Unlike other cosmetic dental bonding materials, porcelain is a smooth, impervious ceramic and therefore will not pick up permanent stain from cigarette smoking or from dark or richly colored liquids or spices.
Porcelain veneers are conservative. Only a small amount of tooth structure is removed, if any during the procedure.

Cases done in our practice using composite veneers…

Case 1

This young man complaint of generalized spacing and a peg-shaped right lateral incisor. Composite material was used to close all the gaps between his teeth (Below).

Case 2

This patient fell down and broke her front teeth while playing spot. The tooth was restore with composite veneer. ‘Stained’ or chalky white patches resin composite was place on the front surface of the veneer to mimic the neighbour teeth (Below).

Case 3

Old filling at the center of his upper front teeth looked yellowish and rough. Those fillings were removed and replaces by new composite veneers (Below).

Case 4

Yellow stain due to uneven surface at the front teeth and old yellow filling were replace by composite veneers (Below).

Case 5

Multiple decays at the front teeth were treated with composite veneer (Below).

Case 6

Defect of the lateral incisor was repaired with resin composite (Below).

Case 7

Generalize unevenness of this young man front teeth gave a older look. With composite veneer correction, he looks youthful again!! (Below).

Case 8

Old composite veneers on all the six front teeth on this lady was stained at the margin. The composite were removed and were replaced with the new one (Below).

Are you a good candidate for dental veneers?

Dental veneers are not appropriate for everyone or every tooth. Case selection is an extremely important factor in the success of this technique. Veneering teeth is not a reversible procedure if tooth structure must be removed to achieve your desired result Only an examination by your dentist can determine whether dental veneers are appropriate for making the changes you want. Some of the situations where certain teeth or people are not good candidates for dental veneers include:

Unhealthy teeth. Dental decay and active gum disease must be treated prior to fabricating and bonding dental veneers.
Weakened teeth. If a significant amount of tooth structure is missing or has been replaced by a large filling the teeth will not be strong enough to function with a dental veneer.
Teeth with an inadequate amount of enamel present. Dental veneers are more successfully bonded onto tooth enamel.
People who habitually clench or grind on their teeth. Habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth can easily chip or break dental veneers. Dental nightguards may be a solution for this in some cases.
Persons without a stable bite.
Severely malpositioned teeth or misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment may be required to achieve the desired result.

How to maintain Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers can chip or come off if not cared for properly. To improve their durability and longevity you need to maintain consistent good oral hygiene and have regular dental examinations and cleanings at least twice each year. In addition, you must avoid using them to bite or crack hard objects like nuts and ice.

What are the alternatives to composite veneers?

The closest cosmetic alternative to composite veneers is porcelain veneers which are more durable and more resistance to staining. However, they are more costly and require at least 2 visits. On top of that, there is another method to improve smile: Snap-on Smile, a multi-purpose restorative appliance that requires no preparation or altering of tooth structure, no injections, and no adhesives. It is non-invasive, making it completely reversible.
Dental crowns may also be used to correct the same problems that dental veneers correct, however it is a much less conservative procedure.

More info..

…

genioadmin

24/Feb/2011

Prestige Dental Care

Topics

Internal Bleaching
‘Walking bleach’ technique
Complication
Limitation

Internal bleaching procedures are performed on devitalized (dead) teeth that have undergone root canal therapy (or RCT) but are discolored due to internal staining of the tooth structure by blood and other fluids that leached in. Unlike external bleaching, which brightens teeth from the outside in, internal bleaching brightens teeth from the inside out.

Bleaching the tooth internally involves drilling a hole to the pulp chamber, cleaning, sealing, and filling the root canal with a rubber-like substance, and placing a peroxide gel into the pulp chamber so the gel can work directly inside the tooth on the dentin layer.In this variation of whitening the peroxide is sealed within the tooth over a period of some days and replaced as needed, the so called “walking bleach” technique.

‘Walking bleach’ technique

Before treatment a radiograph would be made to check the quality of the root filling.
The quality and colour (shade) of any restoration present are assessed.
Tooth colour was evaluated and clinical photographs were taken at the beginning of and throughout the procedure.
Rubber dam should applied to isolate the treated tooth, to prevent reinfection of the root canal, and to protect the adjacent structures from the bleaching agent.
The restorative and the obutarating material was removed until below gum margin
A layer of cement was applied on top of the obturating material.
Bleaching agent: sodium perborate mixed with 30% hydrogen peroxide into paste form was be loaded into the pulp chamber of the tooth.
Finally, a temporary restoration was used to cover the cavity
The patient was rescheduled approximately 1 month later and the procedure was repeated 2 to three times.

Internal-bleaching21 — Walking bleach, A, Internal staining of dentin caused by remnants of obturating materials (OM) in the chamber as well as by materials and tissue debris in pulp horns (PH). B, Coronal restoration is removed completely. C, A protective cement base (B) is placed over the gutta-pecha. A paste (P) of sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide is placed. D, A thick mix of temporay cement (Z) seals access. E, At a subsequent appointment when the desired shade reached, a permanent cement is placed (TS) at the pulp chamber and composite resin (C) to seal of the access

Complication

External resorption – Internal bleaching occasionally induces external cervical root resorption. Chemicals combine with heat are likely cause necrosis of the cementum, inflammation of the periodontal ligament, and root resorption.
Crown (Coronal) fracture – Increased brittleness of the crown part of the tooth, particularly when heat is applied resulting in the tooth is more susceptible to fracture.
Chemical burn – 30% hydrogen peroxide is caustic and will cause chemical burns and sloughing of gingiva. Therefore, rubber dam is needed to protect the gum from chemical burn.

Limitation

Even though internal bleaching can produce satisfactory result in most cases, no all will achieve the desirable result. Therefore, other options such as full porcelain crown, porcelain veneer will be the alternative to whiten non-vital tooth!!

ZOOM!! Whitening System

The Zoom! ™ In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It’s safe, effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom!™ Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom!™ in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

Get ready to Zoom!

The Zoom! ™ Whitening procedure is simple and painless. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The Zoom! ™ clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom!™ Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A fiveminute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You’ll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.

How Zoom! works

The Zoom!™ light activated gel was developed after years of research by Discus Dental, the leaders in professional take-home tooth whitening. The gel is a scientifically formulated, pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom!™ light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening procedure

The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums.

Isolation of lips and gums before bleaching

The accredited and trained dentist then applies the proprietary Zoom Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light.

Light-activating — Activation of bleaching gel with Whitening Lamp

Teeth typically become at least six to twelve shades whiter, sometimes more. A fluoride treatment for a few minutes completes the procedure. You’ll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. We recommend a consultation and a thorough clean around one or two weeks before the Zoom! Teeth Whitening procedure if you have tartar or superficial stains.

Tune in to Zoom!

Ask your dental professional how the Zoom!™ In-office Whitening System will work for you. Take your first step to feeling good, looking great and making a memorable impression every time you smile. You owe it to yourself!

Frequent Asked Questions

Q. What is Zoom!™ tooth whitening?

A. Zoom!™ is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.

Q. What causes tooth discoloration?

A. There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Q. Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

A. Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.

Q. Do many people whiten their teeth?

A. More people than you might imagine. A bright, sparkling smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom!™ Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.

Q. Is whitening safe?

A. Yes, extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom!™ is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Q. How does Zoom!™ work?

A. The Zoom!™ light-activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide gel is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin bleaching colored substances, while the structure of the tooth is unchanged.

Q. What does a patient experience during the Zoom!™ procedure?

A. During the procedure, patients may comfortably watch television or listen to music. Many actually fall asleep. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure.

Q. How is exposure to the Zoom!™ light controlled?

A. The Zoom!™ procedure requires that all soft tissue in and around the mouth be protected. The clinician is required to monitor the procedure to insure any exposed skin or tissue is isolated and protected. Protective eyewear is required during the procedure. Light sensitive individuals including those undergoing PUVA therapy (Psoralen+UV Radiation) or other photochemotherapy, as well as patients with melanoma, should not undergo the Zoom!™ in-office procedure. Also, patients taking any light sensitive drugs or substances, whether over-the-counter, prescription or homeopathic, should consult their primary physician prior to procedure.

Q. How long does Zoom!™ Whitening take?

A. The complete procedure takes just over an hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by one hour of bleaching. A five minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. (A cleaning is recommended prior to the actual Zoom!™ Whitening session)

Q. Are there any side effects?

A. Sensitivity during the treatment may occur with some patients. The Zoom!™ light generates minimal heat which is the usual source for discomfort. On rare occasions, minor tingling sensations are experienced immediately after the procedure but always dissipate.

Q. How white will my teeth become ?

A. The results are spectacular. Clinical studies have shown that the Zoom teeth whitening treatment achieves up to 12 shades lighter with the average being 8 shades (On Vita-Shade guide). Individual results may vary and will depend upon your age, type of stain, initial tooth colour and any visible restorations (White fillings, crowns etc). Please ask our qualified dental staff how much whiter your teeth can be and we will show you what is possible on a tooth shade guide as shown below.To boost your results we recommend using custom made whitening trays for only 30 minutes a day for 5 to 10 days.
Some whitening clinics will only recommend either surgery whitening or home whitening. We have found that combining both methods is the best way to get the most dramatic results and keep them for life.

Q. How long do the results last?

A. By following the Zoom!™ Post Whitening Care Instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were prior to the procedure. The Zoom!™ whitening procedure includes a take-home touch-up kit and trays that can be used whenever discoloration is noticed. Most often a touch-up once a year will maintain a whiter smile that sparkles for years.

A Note of Assurance

Tooth whitening is a well-established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Hydrogen Peroxide, the active agent in Zoom!,™ has also been safely used for many years in the treatment of gums and other oral soft tissue. The whitening process is effective on most discolored teeth. Darker stains, such as those caused by antibiotics, are more difficult to whiten. The degree of whiteness will vary from patient to patient, depending on the structure of the teeth. If you have any questions, please ask your dental professional who is there to help maximize your smile using the Zoom!™ Whitening System.

DSLR Camera

Multiple system can be choose for dental photography and generally work well for practices. However, the digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera still the most ideally suited for practices that to use photography for documentation for lectures or publications.

Basic kit for dental photography:

DSLR camera system
Macro lens (85–105 mm)
External ring flash / Dual Flash
Retractors
Mirror
Contrastor

Intra-Oral Photos

Multiple views of intra-oral photos will be taken. The basic views are:

Front view without retractor
Front view with retractor
Left buccal view
Right buccal view
Upper occlusal view
Lower occlusal view

Dentist might take some extra photos which specifically focus on a tooth/ area to focus on the problematic part.

Studio Photography

Sometimes additional extra-oral photos are needed. In our clinic, there’s a room set up with some additional tools for portraits such as NiceFoto TB-400C Flash with a diffuser/ softbox, and a white lighting board mounted on a wall.

Extra Oral Photos

For extra-oral, pictures of patient must include full face. The basic views are:

Front profile view
Front smiling view
Left & Right profile view
Left & Right 45° profile view

Example of Extra-oral (Portrait) Pictures

Dr. Ng HW

20/Feb/2011

Introduction

Cosmetic gum surgery – It is a type of surgery used to reshape healthy gum tissue around the teeth to make them look better. If a person has tooth recession where the gum is pushed away from the tooth, a gingivoplasty surgery can be done. Basically to ‘bring’ back the gum to cover the expose root surface of a tooth:

Before cosmetic gum surgery (gingivoplasty surgery) – receding gum especially on patient’s left side

After cosmetic gum surgery *(gingivoplasty surgery)*

To read more on the gingivoplasty procedure click here.

On the other hand, if there is excessive gum covering the teeth, then the procedure is to remove some part of the gum covering the teeth (gingivectomy surgery) to show more of the tooth thus reduce gummy smile and improve smile line.

To read more on the gingivectomy procedure click here.

After gum surgery, it is important that the periodontist or dental hygienist inform you how to clean the teeth and gum tissue with a toothbrush and an antimicrobial fluoride toothpaste, floss and antibacterial mouth rinse. Please consult your periodontal specialist or dentist for more information of how to care for your gum tissue and teeth after gum surgery.

Traditional Braces

Traditional-full-sized-brac — Traditional full-sized braces

Mini Braces

Lingual Braces

These days, some problems may be corrected with lingual braces. These are mounted on the back surface of the teeth, and are virtually invisible. If those are not an option for your problem, you can also have clear plastic/crystal brackets fitted to your teeth instead of traditional metal ones, which also reduces their visibility to others.

Crystal Braces

Unlike ceramic brackets that are opaque and colored to mimic a particular tooth shade, clear brackets are crystal clear and virtually disappear regardless of tooth shade. For more info, click here

Of course, there are possible complications, of which you should be aware. In some cases, the teeth move back to their original positions. This is the reason you are required to wear a retainer plate that ensures the teeth stay put after the actual treatment. In additional, loose bands on the teeth can create decalcified areas where decay can begin. However, this is not common, and modern bonding methods ensure the brackets are fixed to the teeth in such a way that the risk of decay is greatly reduced.

Invisalign Aligner

Invisalign is a well known clear aligner used to correct misaligned teeth with ease and comfort from the US.

Mbrace Aligner

MBrace is a clear aligner used to correct misaligned teeth with ease and comfort. It is clear and removable which makes it almost unnoticeable by others and convenient to use. The aligners are custom-made digitally and fabricated individually to ensure a perfect and accurate fit for your teeth.

Treatment can be performed by a general dental practitioner who has sufficient training in orthodontic field or by an orthodontist who specializes in this field. Generally, your dentist refers you to an orthodontist, with whom you make an initial appointment, so that he can assess the state of your teeth and propose a treatment plan. It is good idea, at this stage, to discuss cost implications, as orthodontic treatment can be very costly, and you need to know what you are letting yourself in for.

Your treatment plan may consist purely of braces and retainers, just retainers, or may even require that two or more teeth are removed to make space in your mouth. For example, you may have buck teeth in your mouth because there simply wasn’t enough space for all your adult teeth in your gums when they erupted. To correct this, the orthodontist may have to extract the back molar on each side of the top set of teeth to make extra room in your mouth. This then allows him to move the remaining teeth into a more favorable position.

Also don’t forget to ask the orthodontist how long the treatment is likely to take. It’s a lot easier to put up with braces if you know when they’re likely to come out. All in all, however, orthodontics is a painless procedure; there is some initial discomfort from braces or even from a retainer, but this generally disappears after a few weeks. It’s more a case of getting used to the foreign objects in your mouth than them causing discomfort.

More info

…

Yasmine Lee

20/Feb/2011

Why do we have to clean our teeth?

Tartar (calculus) are deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Dental cleanings involve removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria infested film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that have built up on the teeth over time. Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva which contains calcium and other substances which help strengthen and protect the teeth. While this is a good thing, it also means that we tend to get a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth. This chalky substance will eventually build up over time. Usually it is tooth coloured and can easily be mistaken as part of the teeth, but it also can vary from brown to black in colour.

If the calculus (or tartar, as dentists like to call it) is allowed to accumulate on the teeth it will unfortunately provide the right conditions for bacteria to thrive next to the gums. The purpose of the scaling and polishing is basically to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them and you have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care. Also it leaves your teeth feeling lovely and smooth and clean, which is nice when you run your tongue around them.

10 Reason why you need to have Dental Cleaning

How are dental cleanings done?

Dental surgeon or dental hygienist uses specialized instruments to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth.

1) Ultrasonic instrument (Scaler)

Commonly used first is an ultrasonic instrument or scaler unit which uses tickling vibrations to knock larger pieces of tartar loose. It also sprays a cooling mist of water while it works to wash away debris and keep the area at a proper temperature. The device typically emits a humming or high pitched whistling sound. This may seem louder than it actually is because the sound may get amplified inside your head, just like when you put an electric toothbrush into your mouth.

The ultrasonic instrument tips are curved and rounded and are always kept in motion around the teeth. They are by no means sharp since their purpose is to knock tartar loose and not to cut into the teeth. It is best to inform the operator if the sensations are too strong or ticklish so that they can adjust the setting appropriately on the device or modify the pressure applied.

With larger deposits that have hardened on, it can take some time to remove these, just like trying to remove baked-on grime on a stove that has been left over a long time. So your cleaning may take longer than future cleanings. Imagine not cleaning a house for six months versus cleaning it every week. The six-month job is going to take longer than doing smaller weekly jobs.

2) Air polishing

After the dentist has done scaling using the ultrasonic scaler, he will proceed with polishing either using air polishing or polishing cup. Air polishing is an alternative more advance method than the polishing cup and paste method. It requires a special ultrasonic unit (e.g. Air Flow from EMS) that allows use of this insert in the handpiece.

Air polishing uses medical-grade sodium bicarbonate and water in a jet of compressed air to “sandblast” the surface of the enamel leaving your teeth smooth and clean.

Indications for air polishing

Heavily smoking stain on the teeth
Staining due to coffee or tea
To remove fine tartar that are still attached to the teeth surface after scaling

Video: Air polishing method with EMS Air Flow®

Advantages of using air polishing

There is no physical contact with the tooth, therefore thermal injury is of no concern.
It is ideally suited for teeth separated by wide diastemata and considerable in shape and size.
Particularly good for cats where teeth are so small that standard cups can create gingival damage.
They are very efficient at removing stains from teeth.

Is scaling & air polishing going to be painful?

Most people find that cleanings are painless, and find the sensations described above – tickling vibrations, the cooling mist of water, and the feeling of pressure during “scraping” – do not cause discomfort. A lot of people even report that they enjoy cleanings and the lovely smooth feel of their teeth afterwards! There may be odd zingy sensations, but many people don’t mind as they only last a nanosecond.

Be sure to let your dentist/hygienist know if you find things are getting too uncomfortable for your liking. They can recommend various options to make the cleaning more enjoyable.

Painful cleaning experiences can be caused by a number of things: a rough dentist or hygienist, exposed dentine (not dangerous, but can make cleanings unpleasant), or sore gum tissues.

In case you may have had painful cleaning experiences in the past, switching to a gentle hygienist/dentist and perhaps a spot of nitrous oxide can often make all the difference. You could also choose to be numbed. If you find the scaling a bit uncomfortable because the gum tissues (rather than the teeth themselves) are sensitive, topical numbing gels can be used.

More info

Treatments of gum disease:

Scaling and polishing
Air Polishing – A way to eliminate staining due to smoking, coffee or tea
Air Polishing with EMS:Air Flow®
Root Planning
Gum Surgery
Fear of Dental Treatment? How to overcome it..?

Dr. Ng SN

20/Feb/2011

Prestige Dental Care

Tooth Crystal

Beutiful Skyce crystals from Ivoclar Vivadent applied to the tooth in minutes without drilling or pain that will not harm the tooth and can last for up to one year. Skyce crystals will definitely enhance your smile.

It is a professional solution for stylish tooth jewellery

The tooth jewels Skyce can simply be bonded to the tooth surface without preparation using tried-and-tested materials. Skyce is putting an extra sparkle into every smile. The crystal glass stones are available in two different sizes: Ø 1.9 mm and Ø 2.4 mm.

Indications

To be bonded to the labial (front) surfaces of upper anterior teeth

Advantages

Bonding without preparation
Tried-and-tested materials are used
Oral health is maintained

Cases done in our clinic

Skyce crystal was attached to the front surface of right lateral incisor

Another case where two Skyce crystals were attached to the incisor and canine

Topics

Intro..
What is a crown
Indications for full porcelain crown
The procedure
Cases of Full Porcelain done in our clinic
Advantages of full porcelain

Intro…

Full porcelain crown is a crown frabricated for highly aesthethic demand patient as people today want to see their crown to be as natural as possible and bleanch to the rest of his/her teeth.

This is where full porcelain material comes in!! It is made mostly of Zirconia or E-Max (lithium disilicate) material. The conventional porcelain is made of porcelain layer fused to a metal surface which make is less transucent and greyish.

With zirconia or E-Max material , no metal use, therefore, no greyish appearance and more natural!!

What is a crown?

A crown is a replacement of the outside casing of your teeth that is permanently fixed to the tooth below. They are few types of crown depends on the material used:

Full porcelain (highly aesthetic crown)
Porcelain fused to metal (commonly used)
Full metal crown (either precious/non-precious metal crown)

Indications

Because full porcelain crown is highly aesthetic, it is used to improve the appearance of the front teeth. For those that are insecure about the appearance of their teeth or their smile, porcelain crowns can be a one-fix-for-all-problems solution.

Full porcelain crown mainly used :

to brighten teeth
to make the tooth slight translucent thus making it more natural
indicated for the front teeth where aesthetic demand is higher
close gap narrowing
fix teeth that stick out
reduce crowding in the mouth

The procedure

To fit the crowns, a thin layer is shaved off teeth that are to receive treatment, and this prepares them for the crowns. On the patient’s first visit of the treatment a mould is taken of their teeth in order to get the perfect shape for the next session. The crowns are then bonded onto the teeth using a bonding material of some sort. Once the bonding has taken place, which will normally take one session at the dentist, the patient’s can eat as normal.

Cases of Full Porcelain done in our clinic

Case 1

This young lady presented with a discolour right lateral incisor and her right central slanting inwards. Two full porcelain crowns were fabricated to change the colour of the lateral incisor as well as to change the shape of the right central incisor (below).

Case 2

A case for prepared tooth (right lateral incisor) for impression taking. A full porcelain crown was fabricated and cemented onto the tooth (below).

Full porcelain crown cemented onto the tooth

Case 3

This young gentleman presented with poorly restore filling material on his front teeth. The fillings were removed and the front teeth were prepared for porcelain crown.

Full porcelain crowns fabricated on the model

The full porcelain crowns were constructed on the model and finally cemented into patient’s mouth (below).

Case 4

Another case of discolour tooth which was treated with full porcelain crown.

Case 5

This man had a non-vital tooth (left central incisor) which was root treated had showed badly discolouration. The tooth was treated with porcelain crown.

Case 6

Another case of discolouration which was treated with full porcelain crown

Advantages of full porcelain

Crowns are very popular because they have an excellent history of fixing dental issues, and their track record is proven to work in all countries in the world. Up until quite recently, crowns were bonded to the tooth using a metal-based framework (porcelain fused to metal) so that the crown could withstand the pressures involved with daily chewing of food in the mouth. Today, most of the time the metal framework is not required, since modern technology has advanced up to the point where pure porcelain is strong enough even for use on hard working molar teeth. The metal framework had an issue – after a few years the gum line of a patient would recede with age, revealing an ugly grey line at the top of the crowned tooth. Due to the color of the metal showing through, it was difficult to make crowned teeth look natural for more than a few years.

The advantage of using pure porcelain is that the crowns are near identical in color to the existing colors of the patient’s teeth, making it nigh on impossible for others to discern a crowned tooth from a real one. A dentist will match the color of the crown to the tooth color already in the mouth, and then they will place an order with a lab to create the tooth with the perfect color and shape, taken from the previously mentioned mold, and patients are very happy with the results, and their new smile.

Topics

What is a veneer?
Case study
Other Clinical Cases with porcelain veneer
Dental veneers vs dental crowns
How to care for your cosmetic veneers
Benefits of Cosmetic Veneers
Porcelain veneers vs Resin veneers
Traditional porcelain veneers vs Lumineers

What is a veneer?

Nowadays there is a wide variety of treatments and methods that dentists can use to enhance a person’s smile. Cosmetic veneers have really gained in popularity over the last few years, and recently came to evolve into a veritable art form. Cosmetic veneers are usually sought by patients who have discolored, stained, chipped or uneven teeth. Placement of dental veneers requires the artistry, precision and skill of a talented cosmetic dentist.

Veneers are thin, semi-transparent facings usually made out of porcelain that are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a smile makeover. They create a beautiful result. Porcelain mimics tooth structure better than any other restorative material and it is a very durable and extraordinarily strong material that has similar texture, translucence and color to the enamel of your natural teeth. Dental artists can manipulate the color and translucency to re-create the look of any tooth. And it resists stain better than tooth enamel. Very rarely will it discolor, unless the surface has been damaged. These thin shells of porcelain are bonded to your frontal surface of teeth to conceal any discoloration, damage or altered alignment.

The procedure normally requires two or three appointments to be completed. The cosmetic dentist will begin the procedure by roughening the surface of your teeth to make sure the veneers will perfectly bond to the teeth. He will next trim down the outer surface of the teeth enamel to accommodate the veneers. Impression of the trimmed teeth will be taken. Your teeth will be covered with temporary veneers while the actual veneers are created in a dental laboratory. The lab technician will develop the permanent veneers after which your cosmetic dentist will have them placed in your mouth.

Case study

This young lady presented with a ‘space’ between her front central incisor which looked rather unnatural and unattractive especially when she smiled (below).

She decided to have all her upper front incisors to be veneered to close the gap. Before her teeth were prepared, the natural colour of teeth were recorded so that the porcelain veneer will match with the ‘neighbour’ teeth later.

Under local anesthesia, a thin layer (0.7mm) of tooth structure was removed at the front surface of each teeth (below). Then, an impression was taken to get a negative copy of her dentition and later, a dental model was produced.

The teeth were minimally prepared for porcelain veneers

The dental model was sent to lab where the laboratory technician would fabricate veneers over the dental model (below)

Finally, the veneers would be cemented onto patient’s mouth with strong resin cement.

Before and after result!!!

Other Clinical Cases with porcelain veneer

Another case of closing mid-line spacing with veneer

Crooked front teeth were corrected with veneer

Discolour front teeth

Discolour and malalignment 6 front teeth

6 porcelain veneers fabricated on the model

The veneers were cemented with resin cement to the front teeth

More cases of aesthethic makeover with full porcelain crowns and veneers, click here

Dental veneers vs dental crowns

Dental veneers and dental crowns are two different types of dental restorations that have similar cosmetic end results. Cosmetic dentists use these two dental procedures to correct similar dental issues. Each of these two dental techniques carries its advantages and disadvantages.

The main difference between crowns and veneers regards the amount of the tooth’ structure each restoration typically covers over. Dental veneers require significantly less reduction of the tooth structure than dental crowns. Porcelain veneers will cover over only the side of the tooth that shows when the patient smiles while dental crowns cover the tooth entirely.

While dental veneers are recommended to patients whose gums and teeth are generally healthy dental crowns are more appropriate for patients who wish to rebuild teeth that are decayed or badly broken. Dental crowns are ideal for teeth that are misshaped, worn down, cracked, broken or extremely weak. Individuals who have a tendency to clench or grind their teeth may want to treat their dental issues with dental crowns because bruxism can chip or crack dental veneers.

Make sure you find a knowledgeable cosmetic dentist who can determine which of the two techniques is right for your situation.

How to care for your cosmetic veneers

You should avoid extreme temperatures in food and beverages for at least two weeks following the veneers placement.
You should also stay away as much as possible from hard foods that may twist or stress the veneers.
Oral habits such as opening bobby pins or nail biting, could damage your veneers.
Frequent flossing will keep your veneers free of plaque so make sure you floss your veneers just like they were natural teeth.
Use a soft toothbrush to brush your dental veneers after every meal.
Don’t forget to keep up with your regular maintenance.
Make sure you have your teeth cleaned and checked every six months or so.
Your cosmetic veneers are designed to last up to fifteen years but it is up to you to make that happen.

Benefits of Cosmetic Veneers

Dental veneers can completely conceal the imperfections of your front teeth, providing a total smile makeover. The change in your smile will help you project an image of confidence and high self-esteem.
Cosmetic veneers can cover a wide variety of dental flaws including misalignment, discoloration, stains caused by excessive smoking or antibiotics, trauma-damaged and fractured teeth, diastemas, crooked, chipped or broken teeth, etc.
Dental veneers are compatible with most other cosmetic dental procedures. For example, you can place veneers in combination with TMJ treatment, teeth whitening, neuromuscular dentistry, or a full-mouth reconstruction to completely reshape your smile.
Many patients consider dental veneers a great alternative to traditional braces. Unlike other alternatives, cosmetic veeners wont’t compromise the strength and integrity of your teeth.
Porcelain veneers act as a barrier between your teeth and staining agents such as tobacco products, chocolate, sugary foods, wine, tea or coffee. Veneers can strengthen old filings and teeth that have been weakened by root canal treatments.
Cosmetic veneers can last up to 15 years if you maintain a proper oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing.
Veneers can change the appearance of your smile within as little as three visits.
Anesthesia is usually not required as the procedure normally causes no pain or discomfort.
Cosmetic veneers are designed to look and feel just like natural teeth. Veneers however will not discolor over time as natural teeth do.

Porcelain veneers vs Resin Composite veneers

If you are considering dental veneers to restore your teeth, you may have to choose between the two types of cosmetic veneers that are currently available today, ceramic or porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers. Other dental restorative materials such as gold and amalgam cannot offer the same natural teeth color. The question is, which of the two is a better choice? Composite veneers are inexpensive, insoluble, insensitive to dehydration and aesthetically pleasing. In terms of durability however, porcelain veneers have a life span of about 15 years while composite resin veneers can break or chip more easily and may require touch-ups. While porcelain veneers are more durable, composite resin veneers are easier to repair.

Porcelain veneers possess a much more natural color compared to resin veneers which don’t look exactly as normal teeth. That’s what makes porcelain veneers an ideal option for front teeth while resin veneers are more suited for back teeth. Both composite veneers and porcelain veneers can be indirectly fabricated but only resin veneers can also be directly fabricated inside the patient’s mouth. Even though ceramic veneers can be up to 10 times more expensive than composite veneers, resin veneers will require much more aftercare that will add up to the initial, affordable cost. Make sure you find a qualified cosmetic dentist that can help you determine the best solution for your individual needs!

Composite veneer technique

Types of problems that composite veneers can correct

The advantages of composite resin veneers vs. porcelain veneers

The advantages of porcelain veneers

Cases done in our practice using composite veneers…

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

Case 4

Case 5

Case 6

Case 7

Case 8

Are you a good candidate for dental veneers?

How to maintain Dental Veneers?

What are the alternatives to composite veneers?

More info..

Topics

‘Walking bleach’ technique

Complication

Limitation

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ZOOM!! Whitening System

Get ready to Zoom!

How Zoom! works

Zoom! Teeth Whitening procedure

Tune in to Zoom!

Frequent Asked Questions

Q. What is Zoom!™ tooth whitening?

Q. What causes tooth discoloration?

Q. Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

Q. Do many people whiten their teeth?

Q. Is whitening safe?

Q. How does Zoom!™ work?

Q. What does a patient experience during the Zoom!™ procedure?

Q. How is exposure to the Zoom!™ light controlled?

Q. How long does Zoom!™ Whitening take?

Q. Are there any side effects?

Q. How white will my teeth become ?

Q. How long do the results last?

A Note of Assurance

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“Why does my dentist takes photo of my teeth?”

DSLR Camera

Basic kit for dental photography:

Intra-Oral Photos

Studio Photography

Extra Oral Photos

Introduction

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Traditional Braces

Mini Braces

Lingual Braces

Crystal Braces

Invisalign Aligner

Mbrace Aligner

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Why do we have to clean our teeth?

How are dental cleanings done?

1) Ultrasonic instrument (Scaler)

2) Air polishing

Indications for air polishing

Video: Air polishing method with EMS Air Flow®

Advantages of using air polishing

Is scaling & air polishing going to be painful?

More info

Treatments of gum disease:

Tooth Crystal

It is a professional solution for stylish tooth jewellery

Cases done in our clinic

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Topics

Intro…

Indications

The procedure

Cases of Full Porcelain done in our clinic

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

Case 4