Cosmetic Dentistry

An onlay is a dental fitting that covers one or more cusps of a tooth. (A cusp of tooth is a length of tooth usually located at a corner of a molar tooth or on either side of a premolar tooth.)

They are usually made from porcelain, gold or composite resin, and function excellently in cases where the tooth is broken down, preventing any further fracture or damage to the tooth. Inlays are fitted within the biting surface of the tooth, where as onlays cover the top section only.

How are Porcelain Onlays fitted?

Like inlays, porcelain onlays are prepared over two appointments with your dentist. During your first visit, after a consultation with your dentist, you’ll be administered some local anaesthetic and your old filling or decay will be drilled from the tooth. The tooth will then be prepared for the onlay.

The dentist will take an impression of your tooth (and also of one of the opposing teeth for comparison) and these are sent to the laboratory. Whilst your onlay is being created, you’ll be supplied with a temporary restoration to cover the hole in your tooth until your next appointment.

During your second visit, you’ll once again be given a dose of local anaesthetic and your temporary filling will be removed. Finally, your new, specially created onlay will be fitted professionally to your tooth.

What are the Benefits?

Porcelain onlays are moulded exactly to your teeth, providing a superior level of fit. They’re quick and easy to apply, and create a really natural look within your mouth. Unlike composite resin, porcelain doesn’t stain and is extremely long-lasting.

You’ll sometimes hear white fillings referred to as composite resin restorations by dentists. White fillings are made from a plastic and glass substance, which are used to restore decayed or damaged teeth. They are white, so are virtually undetectable in the mouth.

How are White Fillings fitted?

White fillings are placed and moulded directly within your mouth, and they only take one visit to prepare and fit. Thanks to their colour, they are far superior aesthetically to the traditional silver amalgam fillings. Unlike the old silver fillings, white fillings can be bonded directly to the tooth.

During your appointment, you can expect to be given a local anaesthetic. After this, your tooth will be prepared and your dentist will mould the filling to fit the shape of the cavity. The composite filling is placed in layers to make it appear as natural as possible. Each layer will then be hardened with a blue UV light. At the final stages, it will be polished to prevent staining.

What are the benefits of White Fillings?

They’re highly cost effective, easy to apply and are virtually undetectable in the mouth, making them a popular choice for basic tooth decay and damage issues.

What are Porcelain Crowns?

Porcelain dental crowns protect damaged, fractured or broken teeth, fitting over the damaged tooth much like a cap, or ‘crown’. Acting as a natural protective barrier, they can prevent further damage to the tooth below, as well as improving the aesthetic appearance in the mouth.

Crowns are fitted by drilling the tooth to accommodate the thickness of the porcelain.

Who needs a Porcelain Crown?

There are many different situations where you may benefit from a crown. These include:

• Tooth decay. If your tooth is in an advanced state of decay and there isn’t enough tooth left to support a filling.
• Tooth fracture.
• Implant placement. If you’ve had an implant fitted, a crown acts as an artificial tooth covering.
• After root canal treatment. A crown will protect the tooth after root canal therapy.
• Damaged tooth. If your teeth have been damaged due to acid erosion or grinding, a crown can prevent further damage.
• Cosmetic reasons. Occasionally, crowns can be used to change the shape or position of your teeth, and to improve your bite.

To find out more about Guiney Dental Practice’s range of crowns available, just contact the surgery today.

Porcelain bridges are a really aesthetically pleasing way of replacing missing teeth. Unlike implants, bridges don’t require any surgery to place them and they can be a really effective way to replace a partial denture in the mouth.

The bridge is cemented permanently within the mouth, eradicating the need for removing at night, or when eating.

How is a Porcelain Bridge fitted?

Initially, to prepare for a bridge, the teeth either side of the gap will need to be reduced. However, in some cases, reduction can be limited, which is preferable, especially when the two teeth either side are otherwise in good condition.

It’s likely that you’ll need two or more visits to have your bridge successfully fitted. After a local anaesthetic, the anchoring teeth (either side of the gap) will be prepared and an impression is taken of the prepared teeth. This impression is then sent to a laboratory where a dental bridge is constructed.

You’ll be given a temporary bridge to wear until your bridge is successfully constructed. Then, in a second appointment, your permanent bridge will be fitted and cemented in place. You’ll be given some advice on how to maintain your bridge and appropriate oral hygiene methods to follow, which will help you to prolong the life of your porcelain bridge.

Veneers are thin, nail-like shells, created using a colour to match the shade of your teeth, that bond to existing teeth to improve the look or colour significantly. They’re generally made of either porcelain or composite material. If you want to achieve a ‘Hollywood smile’, then multiple veneers can create the desired even looking appearance.

Who can benefit from Dental Veneers?

Here are just a few issues that dental veneers can resolve:

• Damaged teeth: Chipped or unsightly, damaged teeth can be repaired with a veneer.
• Gaps: Veneers can be used to close gaps between teeth, avoiding the need for time-consuming orthodontic treatments.
• Crooked teeth: If you suffer from crooked teeth, but don’t wish to go through extensive orthodontic treatment, then veneers may be the answer. Veneers can dramatically improve the appearance of misaligned teeth.

Composite or Porcelain Veneers?

Composite veneers have the advantage of being able to offer an immediate improvement to the teeth of a patient during just one appointment. They are the cheaper alternative, but it’s worth remembering that, as a result, they don’t last as long, will require replacing more often and can stain over time.

Porcelain veneers typically last a lot longer (between five and ten years) and offer a more natural looking, translucent appearance.