A Dental Crown is also known as a cap, it is either made from a blank square of porcelain or by mixing up a powder blend and laying it on in stages, says a London SE1 dentist. A root canal is a common use for a dental crown, after the work is done the dentist will need to seal the hole that is created during the operation. Sometimes the dentist will have a cap/crown made beforehand, and sometimes they will simply mix up a small amount, and trowel it on layer by layer. Each layer is spread on and then sterilised and hardened using an intense light source. If the crown is pre-made it will be hollow to allow the dentist to cement it on over the top of the tooth, the tooth needs to be ground down first to the same dimensions as the hollow inside. A Bridge is a form of dental crown, the two teeth on the end of the bridge are hollowed out so they can fit onto the two teeth either side of the gap being filled in. They are an alternative to dentures which some patients don’t get on with. They aren’t the same as a veneer which is just a covering for the front of a tooth; a crown is literally that, a topping to a tooth. A chipped tooth will often be ground down to get rid of the damaged area; it is then topped off with a crown. This is then polished to hide the join; a crown is cleaned the same way as your teeth.

A dental bridge is a form of dental prosthetic that replaces a tooth or teeth that have been lost to dental decay or physical trauma. It consists of an artificial tooth attached either side of the missing tooth either by dental crowns, or if the teeth are in good condition, with resin-bonded metal strips.

Missing teeth can be very troublesome not to mention painful. They can cause long-term problems that can affect all the other teeth in the mouth as well as the joints and muscles of the face and neck. This happens when teeth rotate and shift into the space created by the missing tooth. This causes interruptions in the way the top and bottom teeth sit together, also known as bite. This can be a great source of irritation and can eventually lead to a very unpleasant jaw condition called TMJ.

It is therefore very important to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible. Dental bridges have been around for a long time but recent improvements in dental technology have led to improvements in treatment. The artificial tooth, known as the pontic, can be made from porcelain and chosen to closely match the colour of the other teeth for a more realistic appearance. A bridge will take several visits to a London SE1 dentist to fit, especially if the bridge is being attached using crowns.

Once fitted, the bridge may take some getting used to when talking and eating but after a while will be able to achieve almost everything possible with a real tooth and the cosmetic appearance of the teeth will have been fully restored. Dental bridges can last up to twenty years if properly maintained and cleaned regularly like other teeth. It is also advisable to make regular trips to the dentist to examine the bridge for any signs of weakness.

One of the most recent innovations in dental technology has involved the use of computer-assisted-design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM). The leading exponent of this technology is Cerec, a process that allows dentists to make dental crowns and veneers in a single visit using computer-guided machinery.

In the past crowns had to be made in a laboratory by gradually building up layers of porcelain into the desired shape. This was a lengthy process and not always completely accurate. Dentists were working from dental moulds and conventional x-rays and at times crowns had to be adjusted even after fitting. With the advent of digital x-rays, dentists were able to create incredibly accurate representations of the patient’s teeth on a computer almost instantly. Then by using a computerised mill, they could sculpt a dental crown from a single piece of porcelain in less than ten minutes. Because a computer guides the mill, the crowns dentists are now able to produce are incredibly accurate.

This one visit technology, also known as chair-side restoration, has slashed the amount of time needed to fit a crown and the number of appointments required. It has also significantly improved the quality of treatment available at London SE1 dentists. It has also meant that crowns no longer need to be made with metal for strength and fixing purposes. This means that all porcelain crowns are far more aesthetically pleasing than old-fashioned crowns.

Cerec technology represents the future of cosmetic dentistry and is the first step towards a greater computerisation. In the future all dentists will use Cerec technology or similar for a number of dental procedures but for now you are able to experience the incredible crowns and veneers that can restore the appearance of your smile in just a single afternoon.

Dental crowns, also commonly known as caps, are restorations that protect teeth that have been damaged. Common dental injuries include cracked, chipped or broken teeth that can be the source of great pain. The aim of the crown is to cover the entire tooth that protrudes above the gum line in order to protect it from further damage and cover the exposed and painful dental nerve.

Dental crowns are not always the first option because they involve the removal of otherwise healthy enamel prior to fixing and the dentist will usually try to repair the damage with dental bonding. In many cases the damage may be too severe to repair just with bonding and a crown will be necessary.

Modern crowns are made from a variety of materials but the most commonly they are manufactured from metal, porcelain or a combination of the two. All-porcelain crowns are considered to be the most appealing option because they are the most visually discreet, although some patients do choose all metal or even gold crowns.

The manufacturing procedure of crowns has changed dramatically in the last few years as South East London dentists adopt the latest technology to aid the process. Dentists have utilised the latest digital x-ray technology and computer imaging to produce incredibly accurate crowns milled from a single piece of porcelain. This new technology represents the future of dentistry and has significantly reduced appointment and waiting times.

A well-fitted crown should last between 15 and 20 years before needing replacing and the cost will depend upon the choice of material and severity of the damage suffered by the tooth.

Lumineers sound like they have something to do with brightness; as in the French word Luminiere which defines light. A South East London dentist says that the definition is spot on. Lumineers are to teeth what contact lenses are to eyes, they are a thin veneer that fit over the tooth as a contact lens fits over the eye. Unlike a veneer or a crown there is literally no reduction in the thickness of the tooth, a veneer and a crown both need some filing of the thickness of the tooth in order to make them fit properly. A lumineer is much thinner and the dentist needs to just roughen up the surface of the tooth in order to get a good contact with the dental cement. The pain level and the discomfort level are greatly reduced and so is the time you’ll sit in the dentist chair, the procedure is however much the same as a veneer and crown. A digital photo is taken of the tooth and then the lumineer is made very quickly, it is then just fitted like a false nail is fitted. The life span varies depending on how you care for it, but most dentists will gladly say it can last from 5 to 10 years, and they are reversible as well. In most cases they will not only take care of discoloured teeth, but they also solve the problem of misaligned teeth and gaps. Big gaps and strong misalignment will still need to be dealt with using more prolonged methods, Lumineers must be thought of as a cosmetic solution to smile problems. It is also a lot less expensive, and most people will qualify for this new age answer to the smile problem that plagues the life of a lot of people. Red wine drinkers and smokers are particularly prone to teeth discolour, and lumineers are the perfect answer.