A. The dental crown
The dental crown is used to replace the upper part of the tooth (the visible part). When the dental crown is fixed on a tooth that is still present, it is fixed by cementing directly on the tooth or on a pivot (inlay core) when it is too dilapidated. When it is fixed on a dental implant, it is screwed in place. The dental crown can be permanent or transitional (when care of the gum or pulp is required and a multi-step treatment is necessary). The installation of a dental crown can have several objectives, either for the restoration of a damaged tooth or for purely aesthetic reasons.
Preparation of the tooth
The tooth is filed down to a stump that will accommodate the future crown. Additional procedures such as cavity treatment, root canalization or heavy metal decontamination may be necessary. The dentist must try to keep the teeth alive as much as possible.
An impression is taken using either the old technique (the patient bites into a mold) or the technology of an intraoral scanner.
The dental crown is then fixed permanently by cementing.
Patients suffering from bruxism (teeth grinding) may have to wear a mouthpiece at night to avoid wear of the natural teeth and the dental crown.
B. The dental bridge
A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by creating a bridge or simply for aesthetic purposes.
A dental bridge is a dental structure made up of several crowns connected to each other.
C. Dental veneers
Dental veneers are thin ceramic films bonded to the front of the tooth. Dental veneers are a quick and effective way to solve cosmetic problems such as misaligned, yellow, stained or broken teeth.
The placement of a dental veneer is an irreversible act and you should weigh the pros and cons of this procedure before deciding to opt for dental veneers.
Definition
The dental veneer, as its name indicates, is a film that covers the visible face of the tooth to correct spacing, slight orthodontic problems, stained or damaged teeth. The dental veneer has a purely aesthetic role.
Dental veneers are also more fragile than dental crowns because they do not cover the entire tooth like a crown (which covers it like a hat).
To apply a dental veneer, the first step is to file and grind the enamel of the tooth making this procedure irreversible.
New types of dental veneers exist and allow the placement of the dental veneer without filing the tooth first.
