Crowns, Bridges and Veneers
Dental crowns
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted and placed over your natural tooth or a dental implant.
What’s the best choice for me?
Some treatments are not always suitable, but this is something Natalie will discuss with you, as each case is different.
Dental bridges
A conventional bridge can replace a missing tooth where the neighbouring teeth have decay, large fillings or existing crowns. The teeth either side of the gap are prepared in a similar way to a crown, impressions are taken and a bridge is made.
In most cases the bridge of choice is a resin-bonded bridge. There is no damage to the neighbouring teeth: it is simply bonded onto the adjacent healthy tooth, giving a fantastic natural appearance.
Are bridges or veneers right for me?
Bridges are not always suitable, but this is something Natalie will discuss with you, as each case is different. We always discuss the most suitable treatment in depth, giving you all the options and, above all, taking your preferences into account.
If a bridge is not suitable, Natalie can refer you to a dentist with a special interest in implants for a consultation. This is discussed at the treatment-planning stage.
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we may suggest veneers. These are very thin porcelain ‘shells’ that can change the colour and shape of your teeth, brightening and evening out your smile. The teeth may need slight reduction to make space for the veneers, so they are not always the first choice. Porcelain veneers are made at our local dental laboratory, so the shade and appearance are incredibly natural.
An alternative to conventional porcelain veneers is direct composite (white filling material) veneers. These require less preparation of the tooth, if any, often meaning no drilling or even anaesthetic. The composite is placed over the existing tooth and set in a single visit. There are merits to both, and Natalie will discuss these with you – we have had some fantastic results with composite.
