At Smile Solutions, for porcelain veneers and crowns we depend on Melbourne cosmetic dentist Dr Peter Henderson (a highly experienced clinician in the field of cosmetic dentistry) and specialist prosthodontists Dr Eric Tan and Dr Jamie Foong (who both have a Masters degree in the field of fixed restorations such as veneers, crowns and bridges).
Porcelain veneers and crowns may be the solution to your cosmetic and functional needs.
At Smile Solutions our cosmetic dentists will tailor your porcelain veneers and crowns to best compliment your expectations, age, gender and surrounding facial features. We take great pride in our work and use Melbourne’s best local master dental ceramists to ensure that your porcelain veneers and crowns are of the highest quality and craftsmanship.
Porcelain veneers
Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain that is permanently bonded to the tooth surface. Veneers may be used to improve the position, shade and shape of your teeth and, in turn, the overall aesthetics of your smile.
Veneers are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental issues, including:
- aged veneers needing replacement
- crooked teeth
- spaces between teeth
- broken down or badly chipped teeth
- permanently stained or discoloured teeth.
Porcelain crowns
A porcelain crown is a cap-like structure that is permanently bonded to a particular tooth to provide superior aesthetics and function. Sometimes crowns are referred to as caps. Porcelain crowns are a very effective way of providing patients with their desired cosmetic result, while at the same time strengthening the tooth structure. A crown fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. Crowns can be used on almost any teeth and, if properly maintained, can last 15+ years.
 All-ceramic crowns on back premolar and molar teeth |
Crowns can be used, both aesthetically and functionally, in restorations with:
- heavily repaired or broken teeth
- badly discoloured large fillings
- protecting the physical integrity of a tooth after a root canal procedure.
Do porcelain crowns contain metal?
There are two types of porcelain crowns. Porcelain, or all-ceramic, crowns are most commonly used for front teeth, where aesthetics are a priority. Precious metal crowns fused with porcelain are sometimes used for molar teeth requiring extra strength due to heavy functional loading.
How is a crown made?
The process of making a crown first involves preparing the tooth to the desired shape. Impressions of the teeth are then taken, from which the laboratory can fabricate the crown. Once fabricated, the crown is fitted over the tooth surface and bonded in place using special dental bonding cements. The shape, size, colour and surface characteristics of a crown are precisely matched to the surrounding teeth. Once fitted, a porcelain crown affords a seamless and permanent restoration of a tooth.
 Porcelain three unit bridge |
Porcelain Bridges
All-ceramic bridges replace a missing tooth by way of a porcelain replacement tooth attached to one or two adjacent crowns. The main contraindication for bridges is the removal of healthy tooth tissue of adjacent teeth. For this reason, at Smile Solutions we recommend dental implants as the ideal alternative to tooth replacement where appropriate. However, bridges remain a viable alternative for patients who are not candidates for dental implants or when replacing existing bridges.
Case Illustrations
| Ulla before | Ulla after | |
 |
 |
|
|
Porcelain Veneers and Ceramic Crowns |
||
| Carolyn before | Carolyn after | |
 |
 |
|
|
Porcelain Veneers and Ceramic Crowns |
||
|
*These 'before and after' images feature patients of Smile Solutions. Please note that these images are simply an educational guide and by no means represent a guarantee of outcome. |
||
