Restorations for Unattractive Front Teeth

For front teeth with aesthetic issues such as diastema, misalignment, or decay, a thin layer of restoration is applied to the front surface of the teeth with minimal enamel removal. Due to their thin structure, metal-free composition, and ability to transmit light, these restorations provide results that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are prepared and placed on the tooth with precise fit and accuracy. In most cases, they are strong and color-stable, restoring both the natural beauty and function of the teeth. The procedure is simple and quick. The laminates are bonded to the teeth using a special adhesive resin. Once bonded, it is impossible to separate them from the teeth, making them highly resistant to fractures.

What Are Full Ceramic Restorations?

Full ceramic restorations are a type of crown or bridge without a metal substructure, made entirely from reinforced porcelain. They are preferred because of their high light transmission, resulting in superior aesthetics. Since they do not contain metal, they closely resemble natural teeth and are often used for anterior aesthetic restorations.

For teeth in the anterior region that have been severely damaged due to decay, fractures, or other reasons and are not suitable for laminate application, full ceramic restorations are a preferred option. The process begins by painlessly removing 1.7–2 mm of tooth structure from all surfaces. A primary impression is taken, and temporary crowns are placed. Then, based on the impression, full ceramic restorations are fabricated in the laboratory. After laboratory work is completed, a trial fitting is done before permanently bonding them to the tooth.

Since full ceramic restorations adhere both mechanically and chemically to the tooth, they provide better retention than metal-supported restorations.

What Are Zirconium-Supported Ceramic Restorations and When Are They Used?

In aesthetic dentistry, full ceramic restorations were introduced to overcome the limited aesthetic results of metal-supported restorations in the anterior region. However, while full ceramic restorations offer excellent aesthetics, they lack the required strength for long-span bridges in the posterior region. To address this issue, zirconium was introduced as a substructure material.

Zirconium is a white-colored material with semi-transparency, excellent aesthetics, and high strength. These properties make zirconium an ideal choice for aesthetic bridges and posterior restorations. The fabrication process of zirconium-supported ceramic restorations is the same as full ceramic restorations.

Fixed and Removable Prostheses

Fixed Prostheses

Fixed prostheses are used to replace missing teeth by anchoring them to adjacent teeth, making them function and feel like the patient’s own teeth. Crowns and bridges fall under this category.

Crowns:

If a tooth has suffered extensive damage due to decay or trauma, leading to structural weakening, a simple filling may not be sufficient. In such cases, the tooth needs reinforcement with a metal-ceramic or full ceramic crown to restore its shape, color, and function.

Bridges:

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth by taking support from adjacent teeth. However, this requires the adjacent teeth to be slightly reduced in size. Bridges usually consist of a strong metal substructure covered with an aesthetic porcelain layer. Thanks to modern technology, fully porcelain bridges with a more natural appearance can now be fabricated in certain cases.

Removable Prostheses

Removable prostheses are commonly used when fixed prostheses cannot compensate for missing teeth.

• Partial Dentures: Used when some teeth are missing.
• Complete (Full) Dentures: Used when all teeth are missing.

Many people worry that their dentures will be immediately noticeable. However, modern technology allows for a natural look, fully meeting aesthetic expectations.

If you have lost some or all of your teeth, dentures will improve your appearance, speech, and ability to bite and chew. If missing teeth are left untreated, adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, and opposing teeth may move downward or upward, disrupting the function of remaining teeth.

Immediate Dentures:

These dentures are placed immediately after tooth extraction to restore function and aesthetics without delay.

Cleaning Removable Dentures

If you wear removable dentures, keeping them clean is essential. Cleaning them is easier than maintaining natural teeth.

Tips for Cleaning Dentures:

• To prevent breakage, clean them over a sink filled with water.
• Brush daily with a medium-bristle brush using toothpaste or soap, and rinse thoroughly before placing them in your mouth.
• Remove them at night and store them in a water-filled container to allow the oral tissues to remain moist and aerated.

Implant-Supported Prostheses

Dental implants are a solution for replacing missing teeth. Since an implant is surgically placed into the bone like a natural tooth root, patients experience a natural feel and function.

This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, but at our clinic, it can also be done under general anesthesia or sedation if preferred. Once the implant fuses with the jawbone, a fixed or removable prosthesis is placed on top.

If you seek more information, our specialized dentists will guide you through the entire treatment process in detail.