Orthodontic Treatment

Resin bonding

Resin bonding is a technique where tooth colore d filling material can be permanently bonded to your teeth. This is done by first etching you teeth with a special gel then building up thin layers of “resins” before adding the white composite material. Eventually a very bright light is used to make everything set.

Resin Bonding can be used to cover up areas of discoloration or surface defect in front teeth. It can also be used to close small spaces between teeth.

Resin Bonding can do almost anything that veneers can however the final appearance is not quite as good with Resin Bonding as it is with Veneers. In the short to medium term, however resin bonding represents a cost effective cosmetic solution

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain Veneers, sometimes called laminates, are thin shells of porcelain placed over the front surfaces of teeth.

Patients generally need three appointments to complete the procedure, start to finish. The appointments can be summarized as 1. diagnosis and treatment planning, 2. preparation, and 3. final cementation.

Diagnosis and treatment planning :Your dentist should discuss with you all of the treatment options available; if you're a candidate for veneers, make sure you understand their limitations. It's critical that you take an active role in the decision making process - it's your smile. It's ok to have more than one consultation; what's important is that your dentist understands your objectives and needs.

Tooth preparation : This appointment usually takes between one to two hours. In preparation for veneer placement, the teeth to receive the veneers are recontoured (on the outside surface, lip side) to allow for the added thickness of the veneers. Usually, between 0.3 - 0.5 mm of tooth surface is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. Once the teeth have been prepared, an impression is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory for veneer fabrication. Depending on the lab and your location, they're usually back to your dentist within 1 - 2 weeks.

Veneer cementation :The final appointment will take between one to two hours. Your dentist will place the veneers with water or glycerin on your teeth to check their fit and evaluate their color match. While the veneers are temporarily resting on your teeth, make sure you get a good look, pay particular attention to the color. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted through the shade of the cement your dentist uses. Once the veneers have been cemented, the color cannot be altered. The tooth is then cleansed with specific chemicals to prepare it for cementation. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a light beam is used to initiate the release of a chemical catalyst used to harden the cement.

Crowns

A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a ‘cap’.

Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials and new materials are continually being introduced. Some of the most popular options are listed below:

Porcelain bonded to precious metal : this is what most crowns are made from. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.

Porcelain crowns :these crowns are made entirely out of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns, but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.

All-ceramic crowns :this modern technique offers a metal-free alternative, which can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. Therefore it is suitable for use in all areas of the mouth.

Porcelain and composite :porcelain and composite resin materials can sometimes look the most natural. However, these crowns are not as strong as bonded metal crowns.

Glass: these crowns look very natural and are used on both front and back teeth.

Gold alloy crowns :gold is one of the oldest filling materials. Today it is used with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it a very hardwearing restoration. These crowns are white or gold in colour.