Case Presentation: Anterior Crowns

Just like our skin and hair, teeth age with time. Enamel becomes discolored, the gum lines recede and years of tiny chips and wear all create the appearance of an older smile. For today's patient, the six front (anterior) teeth showed signs of recession, crowding and staining along the gum line. After preparing the teeth, six Emax lithium disilicate units were bonded to the teeth. The new crowns straightened the teeth while creating a natural and desirable contour. The slight color gradient from the gum line to the tooth edges also established the appearance of younger dental enamel. Overall, a fantastic transformation!

If you would like to know more about the cosmetic services we offer, please give our office a call. No two smiles are the same, and we approach each patent's needs individually. Contact us today to set up an examination or consultation appointment!

Case Presentation: Temporary Veneer Update!

Time for a quick update! We previously reported on this patient's progress when they were still in temporary veneers. Now that the final products have been delivered, the dramatic transformation is complete. All four maxillary incisors were refinished with Emax lithium disilicate veneers that perfectly match the cosmetics of natural enamel. By treating all four teeth, we were able to create excellent symmetry and color matching. You could never tell any dental work was done! 

Veneers offer great cosmetic changes with minimal modification to the natural teeth. Since veneers only bond to one tooth surface, we only need to remove enough enamel to accommodate the new material. If you would like to know more about veneers, what they can treat and why we use them, please call our office! 

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Dental Questions: What is the difference between a Crown and a Veneer?

Dental crowns and veneers are two of the most commonly used techniques for restoring teeth in the front of the mouth. They are both typically made from thin layers of zirconia or lithium disilicate and are chemically bonded to the teeth. However, the applications in which they are used can be quite different. In general, crowns have certain structural advantages, while veneers allow us to make cosmetic changes while removing a minimal amount of tooth structure. 

Crowns work by encasing all surfaces of a prepared tooth (hence the nickname "cap"). They can be used on any tooth in the mouth for either esthetic or functional purposes. To place a crown, we need to reduce every side of the tooth to make room for the incoming restoration. The complete coverage allows crowns to repair extensive decay, replace fractures and even add some structural integrity to a compromised tooth. Crowns also have incredible retentive properties, as the cement and mechanical design truly lock it to the tooth. 

In contrast, veneers are typically used in cosmetic applications on the anterior teeth. They are bonded to the front surface of the tooth (as opposed to the complete coverage of a crown), and derive their retention entirely from the bonding cement. Veneers are either placed directly over an unaltered tooth or used after reducing the front surface to accommodate the extra width of material. They can repair smaller chips, close gaps between teeth or correct cosmetic concerns. 

Depending on your personal needs, a crown or veneer may be the most appropriate treatment option. If you have any further questions about crowns, veneers or other dental restorations, please give our office a call!