DENTAL SERVICES
PORCELAIN RESTORATIONS
PORCELAIN RESTORATIONS
Porcelain restorations are used by dental technicians to create dental restorations such as crowns, bridges and veneers. The dental filling is used to restore the missing tooth structure.
De Necker Dentistry believes restorations should be metal free and therefore specialises in porcelain restorations offering our patients the highest quality when creating new teeth.
Porcelain restorations ‘fill’ a cavity or hole in your tooth caused by the excavation of a decayed tooth structure. In many cases, fillings are made of metal material and can weaken the tooth or get additional decay under or around it.
Restoring your smile
De Necker Dentistry uses porcelain restorations for dental inlays, crowns and onlays. These are used when fillings infected or damaged and need to be replaced.
A dental inlay is similar to a filling and fits inside the cusp tips (top edges) of the tooth.
Crowns are dental restorations that are placed over a tooth when conservative restorations are not enough to restore the form and function.
A dental onlay extends over the cusps of the treated tooth.
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Examination and preparation
The dentist will examine the tooth to determine the appropriate treatment. It could be a simple filling or a full crown, depending on how much healthy tooth structure is remaining and the clinical judgement of your dentist.
Next, the dentist will administer an aesthetic and prepares your tooth for the restoration, removing decayed and weakened tooth tissue. This preparation is the same for many other restorative techniques.
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Optical impression
Your dentist will take an ‘optical impression’ of the prepared tooth. Your dentist coats the tooth with a non-toxic, tasteless powder and a camera is then used to take a digital picture of your tooth. This process only takes a minute or two.
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No temporaries
De Necker Dentistry makes use of a CEREC machine which helps the dentist prepare the restoration for your tooth. The 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a 3-dimentional virtual model on the computer screen. Your dentist then designs the restoration using the 3D computer program. Within a few minutes, the restoration design data is sent to a separate milling machine where a ceramic block (which matches your tooth shade) is placed in the milling machine. Approximately 20 minutes later, your ceramic restoration is finished and ready to be placed.
Finally, your dentist tries the restoration in your mouth to ensure proper fit and bite. The restoration is then polished and bonded to the prepared tooth. Your tooth is restored with no “temporary” or return trip necessary. All of this is done in a convenient and single dental appointment.
VENEERS
Veneers are used to close gaps, straighten teeth, replace worn edges or resurface discoloured teeth that did not get white enough with the whitening procedures. The best candidates for veneers are people whose teeth are healthy and free of decay and periodontal disease.
Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer covers the visible front part of the tooth and slightly wraps over the biting edge.
First appointment: Your dentist will help you select a suitable smile style and colour. The teeth are prepared by removing about 0.5 to 1 mm of enamel from the front sides so that the tooth doesn’t look big or bulky once the veneer is attached. Your dentist makes an impression of the prepared tooth to be used by the De Necker Dentistry on-site laboratory. Temporaries are made so that you don’t walk around with unsightly teeth.
Second appointment: When you return for your second visit, the veneers will be checked for fit, shape, size and colour and if needed, small adjustment can be made. Once the patient is happy with the fit, the veneers are then permanently bonded to the teeth with resin cement. Veneers are not indestructible so we advise our patients to avoid biting their nails, opening hard objects and chewing ice.
Contact your De Necker dentist who will determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made laminates that are permanently fixed directly to the teeth. They are an option to change the size, shape, position and colour of the teeth.