With over 35 years of experience in dentistry, plus Dr. Schuetz's advanced specialty training in tooth restoration, we will provide you with a crown that is well-fitted and long-lasting. This includes getting the crown that is right for you, and making sure it aligns with your natural bite. Various types of crowns can be used, including all-metal and all-porcelain crowns. Traditional porcelain crowns are made with porcelain covering a metal shell. The metal provides strength and support for the porcelain which gives it a natural appearance. All-porcelain, also called "all-ceramic" crowns, use a ceramic shell instead of a metal shell to support the porcelain. With advances in technology, these all-porcelain crowns can be used in a variety of situations. Dr. Schuetz will complete a thorough examination and listen to your wishes to determine which type of crown is best suited for you. A crown, or cap, is a custom-made dental restoration which protects the underlying tooth. You may need a crown because of: Before and After Before AfterDurable, Well-Fitted
& Natural Looking Crowns
All-porcelain crowns
When would I need a crown?
Case History - All Ceramic Crowns
When a patient is missing teeth, three options are available to fill the voids. A partial denture is a removable option, and dental implants and bridges are fixed placements. While appropriate for back teeth, a removable partial denture can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Though the cost is lower, partial dentures can be misplaced, and will often need adjustments to fit properly. A bridge requires two crown placements onto healthy teeth with "pontics" (fake crowns) in between, bonded to the two crowns to replace missing teeth. It's a fixed alternative to removable partial dentures. While a bridge is aesthetically pleasing, the cost is higher and it requires daily maintenance. Partial dentures are never ideal for anterior teeth placement. Partial dentures usually require wires to wrap around existing teeth for support, and can be uncomfortable to wear. The fit can also change due to changes in gums or bone structure. While the permanent nature of bridges is highly desirable, a water pick and floss must be used for maintenance. Additionally, the bridge requires that two teeth (that may be otherwise healthy) need to be grinded down and prepared for crown placement. When a missing tooth needs to be replaced, and neither the denture nor bridge option appeals to the patient, a dental implant may be the solution. Not all bone structures can accommodate implants. Consult your dentist to determine your eligibility.Partial Dentures
Bridge
Partial Denture Warning
Bridge Warnings
The Other Option
Read more: Dental Partial Vs. Bridges | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5728094_dental-partial-vs_-bridges.html#ixzz1Rqyfv9yM
Dentures and bridges offer individuals the chance to have beautiful, bright smiles even though their natural teeth have been damaged or rendered unhealthy. Different methods provide patients with different circumstances to take full advantage of this opportunity. Individuals will want to consult their dentist to discuss the best option for them. Dentures vary from bridges in that dentures can be removed and bridges are permanent. The traditional fixed bridge is the most common type given to patients. A base for where the bridge will be placed needs to be formed from two crowns, which are attached to two natural teeth on either side of where the bridge will be placed, along with a false tooth that is anchored in the mouth. A crown is a mold of a tooth that is cemented over another tooth that has been filed down. To make room for the bridge and crowns, the patient's teeth within the bridge area are filed down. Once the bridge has been put into place, it cannot be removed. Existing fillings work well for patients because the dentist is able to use them for the foundation of crowns. Traditional fixed bridges are made of ceramic and porcelain. Bonded bridges are also known as resin bonded bridges and are not as expensive as traditional bridges. However, they are not available to patients whose teeth are unhealthy. This bridge is great for individuals who are missing front teeth. Also, there is less work on the surrounding teeth. The surrounding natural tooth is bonded to the false tooth with metal bands protruding from either side of the tooth and resin. Both cantilever and bonded bridges are primarily used on the front teeth and in areas where there is not much pressure from eating. Cantilever bridges are designed so that the false tooth can be attached to only one natural surrounding tooth, if there is only one natural tooth available.Traditional Fixed Bridges
Maryland Bonded Bridges
Cantilever Bridges
The final phase of orthodontic treatment is called retention when the bracesand wires are removed. The purpose of retention is to maintain the corrected alignment of teeth achieved during the active phase of treatment. During active tooth movement, the gum and bone tissue around the teeth move or “remodel” to their new positions. Sometimes, the teeth may align more quickly than the soft and hard tissues around them remodel. Therefore, teeth may appear to be straight, but once braces are removed, teeth generally relapse quickly back to their original misalignment. Retainers are used during this phase of treatment to keep the teeth straight and allow time for the soft and hard tissues around the teeth to remodel. Because human bodies are constantly changing, many patients will need retainers throughout life. The only method to maintain the alignment throughout life for many patients may be the consistent use of retainers. Your orthodontist will inform you how long your retainers should be worn. Below are just some general guidelines. Removable retainers such as Hawley-type and Vacuforms should be worn full time (20-24 hours) for 3-9 months. After that period, night time only wear is recommended. Fixed or Permanent retainers should remain for at least 2 years or until growth has completed. Most patients end their adolescent growth spurt by the age of 18-25. After two years, the fixed retainer can be replaced by a removable retainer the patient just wears at night. Rather than change the fixed retainer to a removable retainer, many orthodontists that place fixed retainers will often leave the fixed retainer in as long as there are no problems associated with it. There are three general types of retainers which are Removable Hawley-type retainers, Removable Vacuform “Invisible” retainers, and Fixed or Permanent retainers. Each type has their strengths and weaknesses. Your doctor will discuss which type is best for you. Hawley-type retainers are removable retainers that clasp onto the teeth. Hawley-type retainers consist of a hard plastic that covers the tongue-side of the teeth combined with a wire in the front of the teeth that holds the teeth in place. It is the recommended appliance for patients that have undergone expansion and is very durable. Vacuform or “Invisible” Retainers are removable retainers that cover all teeth with a clear plastic. It is called a vacuform retainer because when it is made, a vacuum is used to suck the plastic onto the mold of the teeth. It is an excellent retainer in holding spaces closed and is a good cosmetic retainer option. Due to the thin esthetic plastic, this retainer deteriorates at a faster rate than other retainers and will need to be replaced more frequently. Fixed retainers are customized wires that are bonded onto the back side of the front teeth. It is less bulky than other retainers. These retainers are excellent for maintaining the position of incisors at the end of treatment. Extra care must be taken to brush and floss between teeth to prevent future dental problems. Food and bacteria can adhere to any retainers placed in the mouth just like your teeth. For removable retainers, please use a toothbrush to remove debris from the retainers. Soaking retainers in denture cleaner (Efferdent) or retainer cleaning solutions (Retainer Brite) will also help loosen debris. Never boil or microwave retainers as the plastic will melt and deform from its ideal shape. Flossing and brushing is the best method to clean fixed retainers. Retainers can be misplaced or broken. Replacement costs for retainers vary based on the complexity and laboratory time needed to fabricate a new retainer. If you have misplaced or broken your retainer call your orthodontics provider as soon as possible to have it replaced. If you wait too long, your teeth may shift and you may need braces again.Length of Retainer Wear
Types of Retainers
Removable Hawley-Type Retainers
Removable Vacuform Retainers
Fixed / Permanent Retainers
Maintenance and Cleaning
Cost of Retainers
Valplast dentures, manufactured by Valplast International Corporation, are partial dentures consisting of artificial teeth and a Valplast flexible thermoplastic nylon resin appliance shaped to look like a person's palette and gums. As the resin doesn't break or wear away easily with normal use and cleaning, taking care of your Valplast dentures primarily requires that you rinse and clean the dentures regularly to deter bacterial growth, food particle buildup, and staining. Remove your Valplast dentures after every meal and rinse with warm water. Place your dentures in a container filled with Val-Clean denture cleaner. Soak for at least 15 minutes each day or approximately eight hours at night three times a week. Return your dentures to the storage container when not in use and fill with water or Val-Clean so that the denture material doesn't dry out.Instructions
Since antiquity, the most common material for false teeth was animal bone or ivory, especially from elephants or hippopotami. Human teeth were also used, pulled from the dead or sold by poor people from their own mouths. These kinds of false teeth soon rotted, turning brown and rancid. Rich people preferred teeth of silver, gold, mother of pearl, or agate. In 1774 the French pharmacist Duchateau enlisted the help of the prominent dentist Dubois de Chemant to design hard-baked, rot-proof porcelain (a hard, white ceramic) dentures. De Chemant patented his improved version of these "Mineral Paste Teeth" in 1789 and took them with him when he emigrated to England shortly afterward. The single porcelain tooth held in place by an imbedded platinum pin was invented in 1808 by the Italian dentist Giuseppangelo Fonzi. Inspired by his dis-like of handling dead people's teeth, Claudius Ash of London, England, invented an improved porcelain tooth around 1837. Porcelain teeth came to the United States in 1817 via the French dentist A. A. Planteau. The famous American artist Charles Peale (1741-1847) began baking mineral teeth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1822. Commercial manufacture of porcelain teeth in the United States was begun, also in Philadelphia, around 1825 by Samuel Stockton. In 1844 Stockton's nephew founded the S. S. White Company, which greatly improved the design of artificial teeth and marketed them on a large scale. Porcelain is no longer used because better materials have been developed. Today, dentures are made from either plastic or ceramic. These materials can be tinted to match existing teeth and look more like real teeth than ever before. In 1756 Philip Pfaff (1715-1767) of Germany introduced plaster of paris impressions of patients' teeth. This made it possible to produce dentures that perfectly fit. The real breakthrough in dentures came with the American inventor Charles Goodyear's (1800- 1860) discovery of vulcanized rubber in 1839. This cheap, easy-to-work material could be molded to fit the mouth and made a good base to hold false teeth. Well-mounted, properly sized dentures could now be made inexpensively. The timing was ideal. Horace Wells (1815-1848) had just introduced painless tooth extraction using nitrous oxide. The number of people having teeth removed skyrocketed. This created a great demand for good, affordable dentures, which Goodyear's invention made possible.
Improvements in Fit and Comfort
A denture isn’t supposed to last forever.
With or without teeth, your mouth slowly changes as you age. But people who have noteeth on average lose 1/3 mm of jawbone height each year. Sometimes that loss is greater due to certain medical conditions such as osteoporosis. As our jawbone shrinks, so do our gum tissues (sometimes referred to as ridges). Ridges can shrink up to a quarter-inch in 10 years!
Your denture was made to fit firmly to the original shape of your oral anatomy. Now that shape has changed.
Often you don’t notice the gradual receding of your gum tissues. But over time, your dentures loosen and become unstable, affecting you in any of a number of different ways. This is why dental professionals suggest you replace or refit your dentures every 5 to 7 years.
When teeth are lost and gum tissues shrink, some facial support is lost. This explains why people with no teeth often have deep wrinkles around the mouth and a sunken look to their cheeks and lower face.
To summarize, here are symptoms that may indicate the need for a denture reline or a new denture:
• On-going pain or sore spots
• The appearance of extra wrinkles around your mouth
• Your dentures click, whistle, slip or cause chewing problems
• Slurred speech
• You need to routinely use denture pads
• You or your loved ones begin to feel uncomfortable with the appearance of your dentures.
Even if you are not experiencing any of these difficulties, dental experts recommend you visit your dental professional annually. These visits give your dental professional a chance to give you an “oral check-up.” This is your dental professional’s opportunity to make sure you don’t have any symptoms of diabetes, oral cancer, gum disease or other diseases that often reveal themselves in the tissues of the mouth.
Your dental professional might recommend repairing or relining your existing denture. Many times, dental professionals have no choice but to recommend a new denture. If so, you may be surprised to discover how attractive today’s teeth are. They are also less likely to wear or discolor. And modern denture base materials (the pink material supporting teeth) are very strong and durable.
And a new denture may:
• Help you look better by providing the support your lips need, and by giving your face and smile a more natural appearance.
• Help you speak clearly once again.
• Enhance your chewing ability, helping your body properly digest food and obtain the nutrition it needs.
• Help you feel better about yourself.
Following is a list of possible causes for problems most often encountered by people who wear dentures. If you are suffering from any of these problems, or especially from a problem not listed here, call your dental professional.Common Denture
ProblemsCommon Causes / Solutions Denture slipping
and movingDue to shrinkage of jaw bone and surrounding gum tissue, the gums and bone do not support the denture in speaking or chewing -- Reline, rebase or replacement per a dental professional’s recommendation. Speaking difficulties and unwanted sounds,
such as “clicking,
whistling, smacking…”Denture is not in proper position or does not stay in proper position -- denture moves causing cheek and tongue to struggle to form words and control the denture -- Reline, rebase or replacement per a dental professional’s recommendation. Difficulty chewing
certain foodsSome foods may never be ‘easy to chew’ with dentures, but lack of adequate chewing could be related to the alignment of your upper and lower denture(s), or your denture with natural teeth, this effects the “balance” of the denture on the tissues and muscles of the mouth. In combination with shrinkage of tissue, poor alignment creates improper denture function. Only a dental professional can determine the best solution(s). Lack of suction /
adhesionBone and mouth tissue shrinks – original fit/contact of denture is lost;Dry Mouth (Xerostomia); caused most often by certain medications; without proper saliva, denture fit is not ideal due to the “seal” that moisture provides between denture base and tissue. Discuss with your dental professional. Wrinkles above /
around lips or at
corners of mouthDenture has moved back in the mouth and no longer supports the lips. This may be due to bone loss and / or loss of skin elasticity (stretchiness) and moisture loss. See your dental professional to help determine the root cause. Sore spots in the
mouthPressure and / or rubbing is occurring in one specific area, usually a result of chewing (see Difficulty chewing certain foods) but may also be due to clenching of teeth or bruxism (grinding the teeth). Other causes may be hard foods (like small seeds) getting under the denture or denture teeth that need adjustment. Your dental professional can help resolve the problem. Soreness at corners
of mouthLoss of vertical support for the denture (bone loss) can cause the mouth to “over-close.” This can change the way the lips seal together and cause saliva to pool at the corners of the mouth. The excess moisture in this area may cause the skin to become irritated and may increase the risk of a candida (fungus) infection. The soreness may also be the result of a vitamin deficiency. Seek advice from your dental professional.
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They are more expensive, so depending on the situation i don't always recommend them. Like if you don't have clasps that will show up front and you want to save some money go with the traditional, if asthetics are important to you, go with valplast.
Crown refers to the restoration of teeth using materials that are fabricated by indirect methods which are cemented into place. A crown is used to cap or completely cover a tooth. The restorative materials used in indirect restorations possess superior mechanical properties than do the materials used for direct methods of tooth restoration, and thus produce a restoration of much higher quality.
Traditionally, the teeth to be crowned are prepared by a dentist and records are given to a dental technician to fabricate the crown or bridge, which can then be inserted at another dental appointment. The main advantages of the indirect method of tooth restoration include:
* fabrication of the restoration without the need for having the patient in the chair
* the utilization of materials that require special fabrication methods, such as casting
* the use of materials that require intense heat to be processed into a restoration, such as gold and porcelain.
A dental bridge, otherwise known as a fixed partial denture, is a prosthesis used to replace missing teeth and is not removable by the patient. A prosthesis that is removable by the patient is called a removable partial denture.
A dental bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth by a preparation pattern determined by the location of the teeth and by the material from which the bridge is fabricated. In other words the abutment teeth are reduced in size to accommodate the material to be used to restore the size and shape of the original teeth in a correct alignment and contact with the opposing teeth. The dimensions of the bridge are defined by Ante's Law: "The root surface area of the abutment teeth has to equal or surpass that of the teeth being replaced with pontics".
The materials used for the bridge include gold, porcelain fused to metal, or in the correct situation porcelain alone. The amount and type of reduction done to the abutment teeth varies slightly with the different materials used. The recipient of such a bridge must be careful to clean well under this prosthesis.
When restoring an edentulous space with a fixed partial denture that will crown the teeth adjacent to the space and bridge the gap with a pontic, or "dummy tooth", the restoration is referred to as a bridge. Besides all of the preceding information that concerns single-unit crowns, bridges possess a few additional considerations when it comes to case selection and treatment planning, tooth preparation and restoration fabrication.
