Everyone wants a bright, white smile. For some, brushing is not enough. Accidents, dental diseases, or even congenital disabilities may leave you with teeth you would rather hide. The good news is, there are alternatives, and you don’t have to hide your smile anymore. Dakota Prosthetics and Implant Center provides options to replace or create a beautiful smile with veneers, crowns, and bridges.
Veneers
If your teeth and mouth are generally healthy but have a visual problem, veneers might be right for you. Veneers are thin covers that affect the front of your tooth. They are generally used for the front teeth, usually just the top and bottom four teeth. There are three major categories of veneers. No-prep veneers have the least amount of preparation. Your dentist grinds the enamel and glues the veneer to the tooth’s surface. For Composite veneers, your dentist will score the surface of your tooth, then apply composite material to the area. Finally, you have the option of porcelain veneers. These are slivers of porcelain that molded to your teeth. These take the longest to design, so you may have several appointments. In addition, your dentist will need to grind a significant amount of your teeth away for the veneers to fit correctly. So many patients require anesthesia.
Crowns
A crown might be suitable if your tooth needs more help than cosmetics. Where a veneer covers the front of your tooth, a crown covers the entire tooth. It can help to fix structural damage to your tooth. You may need a crown if you have a large chip or a crack in your tooth, for example. Some people grow up with abnormally shaped teeth that crowns can fix. Your dentist can mold your crown to create a regular tooth. Before applying your crown, your dentist will grind the tooth down. He will then make a mold of the space and place a temporary crown on the site. When your permanent crown is ready, he will permanently adhere it to the base.
Bridges
Veneers or crowns are out of the question if you have no tooth. Both options require you to have a tooth firmly rooted in your mouth. A bridge may be the best option for those with missing teeth. Bridges help permanently replace the chewing surface. For a bridge, your dentist will grind down both teeth next to the missing tooth. Then he will make a mold of the space and the two teeth. He will install it in place. You will then receive a temporary crown placed on the two teeth until the permanent bridge is ready.
Dr. Lassle at Dakota prosthetics and Implant Center has had years of training and is a nationally certified prosthodontist. He will not only help you decide what type of treatment is right for you but will follow through with the procedure that will give you a healthy, bright smile. So Give Dr. Lassle and his staff a call to discuss the best option for your teeth.
