0191 549 8888

smile@wessingtondental.co.uk
1b Hylton Park Rd

Sunderland SR5 3HD
Open Monday - Saturday

Closed on Sundays

Cosmetic Dentistry & Veneers - Chris Hanford
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Cosmetic Dentistry & Veneers

Veneers
What are veneers?

Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain ceramic which are precisely fabricated by a dental laboratory for each individual tooth and are cemented to the outside of the tooth to act as a facing to improve to cosmetic appearance of the tooth or teeth.

What can be achieved with veneers?

Porcelain veneers can be used to change the shape and size of the teeth, as well as change the colour. Adapting closely to the teeth, the veneers can be used to close gaps and repair broken or worn teeth.

How long will my veneer last for?

Porcelain veneers look their best for approximately 5-10 years, at which point the margins may become visible and they may have lost their lustre. If they are well maintained, it will improve the chances that they will look as good as possible, for as long as possible.

What is the procedure for veneers?

To ensure that Dr Chris Hanford carries out treatment to the highest of standards he emphasises the importance of carrying out the planning stages first, to ensure that the desired end result is achieved. This means we can see how the end result will look before we have committed to preparing the teeth and can make sure we are both happy that your perfect smile is achieved.

 

The key phases of treatment are:

  • Initial aesthetic consultation and treatment plan
  • Impressions for wax up and diagnostic models
  • Review to discuss the 3D wax up and talk through the design with the patient
  • Prepare the teeth, take impressions and cement temporary restorations
  • Review the temporaries – for shape, size and comfort
  • Fit the final veneers
  • Review and other information
  • Long term maintenance
Crowns
What is a Crown?

A crown is a thin custom-made cover (or cap) that goes over a tooth in order to improve the appearance or protect what is left of a tooth from damage. A crown is fixed into place and cannot be taken out.

What materials are in a Crown?

Crowns are usually made of either all porcelain (which most like a natural tooth in colour) or porcelain bonded to an inner core of precious metal (these crowns combine strength and aesthetics).

What are the benefits of having a Crown?

Crowns restore a tooth to its natural size, shape and if using porcelain, colour as well. They improve the strength, function and appearance of a broken-down tooth that may otherwise be lost. They may also be designed to decrease the risk of root decay.

What happens with Crowns?

The tooth is first assessed for its suitability to be crowned. The tooth is then prepared. This involves modifying the shape of the tooth or filling so that the crown can fit down on the tooth. Following this preparation stage an impression or mould is taken and sent to our laboratory. Our highly skilled technician will them make a bespoke crown to fit your tooth precisely. This is fitted 2-3 weeks after the tooth was prepared. A temporary crown will be used to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being manufactured. 

What are the alternatives to Crowns?

The alternatives to crowns are conventional fillings, such as composite (white) or amalgam (silver metal). These fillings remove decay and may restore teeth to their original form, however they do not improve the strength of broken down teeth.

I think I’d like a Crown, what do I do next?

Following a consultation with one of our dentists the best type and design of crown that will work for you is selected. We will then agree a treatment plan that is within your budget and also tell you what to expect over the next few appointments.

Bridges
What is a Bridge?

A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. It is made of a false tooth attached to crowns, which fit over the teeth on both sides of a space. A bridge is fixed in place and cannot be taken out.

What are Bridges made of?

Bridges are usually either: all porcelain (these are most like a natural teeth in colour)
or porcelain fused to an inner core of gold alloy (Porcelain Fused to Metal or “PFM”). These crowns have the best combination of strength and aesthetics

What are the benefits of having a Bridge?

Bridges build back your smile and help you to speak and chew properly by restoring your teeth to their natural size, shape and colour. They help maintain tooth, bite and jaw alignment by preventing the teeth next to the gap from shifting out of position.

What are the alternatives to having a Bridge?

There are three alternatives to bridges:

1. Replace the missing tooth with an implant.

2. Replace the missing tooth with a removable partial denture.

3. Leave the space as it is.

I think I’d like a Bridge what do I do next?

Following a consultation with one of our dentists. The best type and design of bridge that will work for you is selected. We will then agree a treatment plan that is within your budget and also tell you what to expect over the next few appointments.

Dentures
What is a Complete Denture?

A complete denture is an appliance that replaces all the teeth in one jaw. It is not fixed in the mouth and can be taken out.

What is a Complete Denture made of?

The base of a complete denture is made of pink acrylic. The teeth are made of tooth coloured acrylic or porcelain which attach into the base. Sometimes the part covering the roof of the mouth can be made out of metal called cobalt chrome to make that part a lot stronger.

What are the benefits of a Complete Denture?

A complete denture restores function and appearance to a jaw with no teeth. It is the most cost effective way of replacing all the teeth in one jaw. A complete denture can also provide important support to facial structures such as the lips, helping to maintain a more youthful appearance

What are the alternatives to a Complete Denture?

The alternatives to having a complete denture are to either:  Leave your mouth as it is or to have Implants which can be used to support and hold in place a bridge or a complete denture

I have a denture but it is loose what can I do?

With time, the shape of the gums under a denture changes and they become flatter. Therefore, even the best fitting denture can become slack due to this process. At Wessington Dental as part of your assessment we will discuss what has caused your denture to become loose. We can then advise you on how best to correct the looseness. This may be something as simple and cost effective as relining your existing denture, to making a new bridge fixed in place on implants