What
the heck are crowns, veneers and implants anyway
By Judith Sloan,
Washington, DC.—Dentistry has become a hot topic,
as writers across the media spectrum are reaching into
our mouths for story ideas. Apparently, the making of
a beautiful smile makes good copy.
“And don’t we all identify in some way
with those people making big changes—on shows
like “The Swan” and “Extreme Makeover”—even
those getting new smiles?” says Dr. Bernard Lynch,
at the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington,
DC.
No wonder we need to boost our dental vocabulary, especially
if we’re thinking about delving into some smile
improvement ourselves. So, here’s a quick review:
“The Crown.” Sometimes a front tooth is
out of line, too short, too wide, too narrow or hopelessly
too gray, too yellow or too brown.
“One solution is to pare down the unfavorable
tooth and then cover it with a crown or cap,”
says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of the Washington Center
for Dentistry. The new porcelain tooth fits perfectly
over the minimized tooth, providing a sparkling, whiter,
straighter version of its former self.
“The Veneer.” Sometimes a tooth has fewer
objectionable features, and the alignment, color and
shape can be improved with a more delicate replacement
option. Consider the veneer: a thin, fingernail-size
shell of glistening porcelain that fits over the existing
tooth that has been slightly re-contoured.
Veneers and crowns made with new, advanced, porcelain
materials provide the opalescence, brightness and natural
shape that improve a smile—naturally—while
lasting for many, many years.
“This option provides a wonderful way to revitalize
a smile and get an image that looks younger, healthier,”
says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, of the Washington Center for
Dentistry.
“The Implant.” No longer are patients denied
a beautiful, natural smile because of missing teeth.
Once fated to have removable appliances—or even
dentures—these patients now have a happier alternative.
Synthetic roots of new “teeth” literally
are “implanted” into the gum and bone.
The new implanted root is made of metal, and in time,
the gum and bone grow around it. And the portion of
the implant that protrudes above the gum line gets a
crown that looks just like a natural tooth. It’s
a miracle to those getting a second chance at teeth
that feel—and look—like normal teeth.
“Patients need to know that their teeth can stay
young for life,” says Dr. Lynch. “Nowadays,
dentistry really does have all the answers.”
About the Author
For more information on cosmetic dentistry procedures
in Washington DC, please click here.
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