Cosmetic dental care often involves restoring decayed and broken teeth with prosthetics like crowns, bridges, and veneers. Many of these restorations were historically made with a metal base, with tooth-colored materials layered on top to help prosthetics look more like natural teeth. Over time, however, these treatments prove to look unnatural and may need to be replaced.
Dentistry is an ever-changing field, with new materials and methods being utilized to ensure that patients’ treated teeth look more natural and stand up to wear and tear in the long run.
The Latest Materials for Cosmetically Improving Teeth
Dr. Penner and Dr. Low have begun using more natural-looking and durable materials in their cosmetic treatments, which do away with metal sub structure and help treated teeth closely mimic the qualities of organic teeth. Some of the newer and more life-like materials in use at our office are:
Opalite® – Restorations made from this ultra- strong zirconia prove to be exceptionally durable. Because of their strength, Opalite® crowns can be made thinner than porcelain crowns, so less tooth preparation is needed and greater amounts of healthy tooth structure are preserved. Zirconia is unique in its ability to reflect light and matches the way in which real teeth do the same.
e.max® – An e.max® restoration, such as a dental crown or bridge, is made from lithium disilicate (a blend of glass and ceramic). These dental prosthetics are fabricated in a special way that promotes improved strength and durability. Like Opalite® prosthetics, e.max® restorations can be made thinner and still provide dependable quality and long-term results.
All-Porcelain – Porcelain crowns are known their ability to be color-matched to blend with existing teeth in your smile, providing the right translucency as well. Crowns with a base and overlay of tooth-colored porcelain do not show a black line at the gums, as metal-based restorations might, making them ideal for treating front teeth.
While all porcelain or ceramic crowns were traditionally not recommended for patients who grind their teeth, or for treating back teeth, the incorporation of zirconia and glass-ceramic mixtures have provided for cosmetically appealing restorations that can be used on any tooth in your smile and take the full load of biting and chewing force. The way that these restorations are also baked or cured in laboratory environments has provided improvements in durability.
Learn Which Materials are Best for Your Treatment
To learn more about which materials will help you meet your goals, our Lethbrigde dentists can help. Contact our office to learn more about available treatments.