FAQ

Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns can be made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown, laboratory-fabricated composite crown the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown (gold or precious metal). You and our doctors will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved. Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place. First Appointment: The first visit begins by giving you a local anesthetic. Depending upon the type of local anesthetic used, you can expect to be numb for one to four hours. If your anesthesia should last longer, do not be concerned. Not everyone reacts to medication in the same manner. Once you are numb, we will prepare your tooth in a very specific way in order to maximize the retention and esthetics of your new porcelain to metal crown. After the tooth is fully prepared, we proceed with the impression stage. At times, we use a thin piece of retraction cord that is placed around your tooth in order to get the impression material under the gum where the crown ends. Once the impression stage is completed , we will place a temporary (transitional ) crown on your tooth. These plastic (acrylic) restorations are placed on teeth to protect them and the gum tissues between dental visits. The temporary cementing medium used is designed to allow the easy removal of the temporary at your next scheduled visit. Second Appointment: At that time, the temporary crown is removed and any temporary cement is cleaned from the prepared tooth. We will fit the final crown, check for accuracy, adjust for any bite discrepancies and evaluate the esthetics. If all of these factors are acceptable, the crown is cemented to your tooth. It is not unusual for the new crown to be mildly sensitive to cold temperatures for a few weeks. However, if the sensitivity is severe, does not subside, or if the bite feels uncomfortable, contact us. Further adjustments to the crown may be necessary. We hope that this brief instruction sheet will answer most of your questions regarding crowns. Following these simple guidelines will help provide you with the finest in dental care. If you have any questions regarding this or any other procedure, please contact us.


ON THIS PAGE WE LISTED OUR MOST FREQUENTLY PERFORMED DENTAL PROCEDURES TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR TREATMENTS. WE HOPE THAT THESE BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS HELP TO ELIMINATE YOUR CONCERNS. IF YOU STILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT YOUR CONVENIENCE AT INFO@DENTALEXPERTSHUNGARY.COM

Cosmetic Dentistry - Whitening

Whitening creates a more esthetic appearance by reversing the discoloration of tooth enamel. Determining whether a patient is a candidate for whitening is largely based upon diagnosing the exact cause of the tooth discoloration. Careful clinical examination and X-rays will help determine if whitening is indicated for the strength and condition of the patient's teeth. Whitening is done simply in the comfort of your own home. Patients have an initial appointment at the dental office to determine their gums are healthy, then impressions are taken and custom trays are made to fit snugly around their teeth. When the trays are picked up a couple of days later, patients are trained on how to perform the procedure. Basically, each night after thoroughly brushing their teeth, they put a small quantity of a special whitening gel into their custom trays and place them over their teeth. Then they go to sleep. In the morning they remove the trays, clean them carefully, and brush their teeth normally. This is done over a period of two to three weeks until the desired result is achieved. Although this is not a permanent treatment, annual touchups of only a few days at a time can maintain the original whitened result.

Cosmetic Dentistry - Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain laminate veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth reduction (approximately .5 mm) and are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown. Porcelain veneers allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice. Veneers are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. You can whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a great smile. We can even do virtually instant orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth. Spaces between the teeth (diastemas) · Broken or chipped teeth · Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings · Permanently stained or discolored teeth · Misshapen or crooked teeth · Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth Veneers are very thin and are bonded on the front of your anterior teeth. These veneers are about 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness but are very strong once bonded to your teeth. They have a "life like" appearance with the strength, beauty, and durability only porcelain restorations can afford. Veneers have several advantages over crowns (caps). There is no "dark line" that is sometimes seen with older front caps. They transmit light better and, therefore, have a more translucent appearance giving a natural, esthetic look. Veneers do not require the massive grinding of tooth structure that caps do, yet, they accomplish a lifelike esthetic result. How's it done? After a thorough discussion with us to establish just what you wish to accomplish AND establish what can or can not be done, your first appointment usually involves some minor contouring of the front teeth and taking an impression of the teeth. The veneers are tried in, and, if satisfactory, they are bonded in place. Many times, we combine whitening with porcelain veneers to make that perfect smile. If some front teeth are already badly broken down, we can place new all porcelain crowns combined with veneering and other cosmetic techniques. Some facts you might want to know about Porcelain Veneers: Since they require approximately .5 mm of tooth reduction, porcelain veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment. Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you can expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and is due to the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering of the tooth. This sensitivity should disappear after the placement of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer. Your second visit, the insertion of your laminate, can be accomplished with or without local anesthetic, but typically a small amount of anesthesia is preferable. This visit is usually longer in length. The laminates are placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light. Once placed your laminates are very strong and will resist most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid anything that will tend to twist the laminate. Opening pistachio nuts with your teeth, chewing on bones or jelly apples is probably not a good idea. As with most things, common sense should prevail. Maintenance of Your New Porcelain Veneers: The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is relatively simple. A few suggestions, however, are in order: Please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Once placed, Porcelain Laminate Veneers are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that we currently have in our prosthetic armamentarium. Do not be afraid that you will damage your laminates by either flossing or brushing. Any nonabrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your laminate restorations for years to come. Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after the placement of your veneers. This relates to the amount of enamel left on your tooth after preparation, the proximity of the nerve as well as several other factors. Some sensitivity is absolutely normal and usually dissipates after one-two weeks. If this sensitivity should remain or concern you at all, please call our office. As mentioned before, a normal diet should pose no problem at all. Please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist the laminates.

Onlays

A restorative option done to replace one, more, or all of your posterior tooth cusps if fractured or lost due to trauma or decay. The final result is most esthetic and discreet. In comparison to a crown, an onlay is more conservative in regards to the amount of total tooth structure removal that is required.

Inlays

A gold, porcelain, or composite custom-made filling cemented into the tooth. If it covers the tips of the teeth or otherwise supports the tips it is called an onlay.

Crowns

Crowns are dental restorations otherwise known as "caps" which are coverings that fit over teeth. Some of the indications for a crown are: A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling. Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS) - A tooth may exhibit pain with pressure, and this can be a sign of an internal fracture, usually due to a previously placed amalgam filling that expands and contracts with temperature changes. The only way to prevent the tooth from flexing is to place a crown to hold the cusps together. Root canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. These teeth need to be protected by a crown. Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns can be made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown, laboratory-fabricated composite crown the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown (gold or precious metal). You and our doctors will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved. Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place. First Appointment: The first visit begins by giving you a local anesthetic. Depending upon the type of local anesthetic used, you can expect to be numb for one to four hours. If your anesthesia should last longer, do not be concerned. Not everyone reacts to medication in the same manner. Once you are numb, we will prepare your tooth in a very specific way in order to maximize the retention and esthetics of your new porcelain to metal crown. After the tooth is fully prepared, we proceed with the impression stage. At times, we use a thin piece of retraction cord that is placed around your tooth in order to get the impression material under the gum where the crown ends. Once the impression stage is completed , we will place a temporary (transitional ) crown on your tooth. These plastic (acrylic) restorations are placed on teeth to protect them and the gum tissues between dental visits. The temporary cementing medium used is designed to allow the easy removal of the temporary at your next scheduled visit. Second Appointment: At that time, the temporary crown is removed and any temporary cement is cleaned from the prepared tooth. We will fit the final crown, check for accuracy, adjust for any bite discrepancies and evaluate the esthetics. If all of these factors are acceptable, the crown is cemented to your tooth. It is not unusual for the new crown to be mildly sensitive to cold temperatures for a few weeks. However, if the sensitivity is severe, does not subside, or if the bite feels uncomfortable, contact us. Further adjustments to the crown may be necessary. We hope that this brief instruction sheet will answer most of your questions regarding crowns. Following these simple guidelines will help provide you with the finest in dental care. If you have any questions regarding this or any other procedure, please contact us.

Dental Implants