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Veneering
Veneers or
Porcelain Laminate Veneers are the strongest way to repair a broken
portion of your tooth. They are used to correct the same things as
bonding does. They can also cover up discoloration, repair a damaged
tooth or change the shape or size of your teeth. They are much
stronger than bonding and will not pick up stain like bonding does.
They will also retain their luster, unlike bonding. They will
usually last 10 or more
years.
First, Dr. Widen
will listen to our guest and learn their desires. When he
understands what our guest is looking for we will design the case
together and determine the form, size, shape and color.
We will discuss how many teeth are necessary to achieve the result
the guest wants to accomplish. The case is then sent to the
lab to have a wax-up of the final product made. This way Dr.
Widen and our guest can see the final product before the case
is even started. When the wax-up is received from the lab it is
examined to see if it meets our
desires.
Once the wax up is approved, the
fun can begin. This is a two appointment procedure. The first appointment is the
preparation phase. A small amount of enamel is removed off the front
of the tooth and sometimes in between the teeth. We
must remove any decay and any old fillings that would interfere with
the longevity of the case. Then an impression is made. The impression
is sent to the lab and the lab makes a front of the
tooth, much like a false fingernail, out of porcelain. Dr. Widen will try in the
veneers to make sure our guest is happy with the final result.
When the guest approves the veneers he will bond, trim and polish the
veneers. The seating is usually a time consuming appointment and
can last for hours. But usually quite worth the wait. Compared to
crowns, veneers are a more conservative method for restoring a
moderately fractured
tooth.
Veneering not only restores your teeth but also helps to improve
your appearance and self-confidence. People are sometimes hesitant
to smile because of the way their front teeth look, after veneering
you can smile freely again.
Onlays
Onlays are similar to
crowns but they are more conservative. They can be made from
either gold or porcelain and either material will bring the tooth to
proper function once again. They can cover up discoloration,
repair a damaged tooth or change the shape or size of your teeth.
Porcelain is the most aesthetic way to onlay a tooth.
They will usually last 5 or more years. Unlike a conventional
dentist office we utilize CEREC a chairside restorative procedure
which will allow us to fabricate and seat a porcelain onlay or crown
in just one visit. Click here for a short video demo of CEREC. This is a one appointment procedure. First, any old
filling is removed, as well as any decay and large fractures.
Then optical impressions are taken, like pictures. Dr.
Widen then designs your new restoration of a computer chairside and
when finished, the design is sent to the milling machine. The
porcelain is now being milled and within 15 minutes we are able to
place a new porcelain crown, inlay or onlay on your tooth. Dr. Widen
tries in, bonds, trims and polishes the restoration and you are
finished. No more temporaries falling out, no more second
visit and no more second round of anesthetic.
Crowns
Crowns are like onlays but the tooth needs to be
prepared 360 degrees around, which is not as conservative as an
onlay. They can be made from either gold or porcelain and
either material will bring the tooth to proper function once
again. They can repair a discolored, damaged or decayed
tooth. Porcelain is the most aesthetic crown, because it looks more
life-like and does not impart a dark line near the gum line like
some other crowns. They are more translucent like natural teeth and
wear like natural teeth. They will usually last 5
or more years, are very strong and can be placed in one visit using
CEREC. (see onlays above)
Inlays
Inlays are similar to fillings but they are used
when the filling is too large to be restored with a composite resin,
since we do not use silver-mercury fillings. They can be
made from either gold or porcelain and either material will bring
the tooth to proper function once again. They can repair a
damaged or decayed tooth. Porcelain is the most aesthetic
inlay. They will usually last 5 or more years, are
very strong and can be placed in one visit using CEREC. (see onlays
above)
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