What are Dental Caps and Dental Crowns? Dental caps and dental crowns mean the same thing. It is dental restoration that cover over and encase the tooth on which it is cemented on. It is used to rebuild broken or decayed teeth.
A smile is the most prominent feature on the face. Since cosmetic dentistry offers many services and procedures that can improve an unsightly smile, there is no reason a person should have to settle with stained, chipped or misshapen teeth.
If a patient has a tooth that is out of proportion or it needs to be reshaped to follow the contour of the other teeth, then tooth contouring, also called tooth shaping is an ideal treatment. Cosmetic dentists can eliminate shallow pits or grooves in tooth enamel, worn edges or small chips in the front of teeth by contouring and reshaping teeth, and position your teeth in a painless procedure. Reshaping can also be used to correct minor problems with bite and function.
"A lot of times you can be in a situation where you can reshape the tooth, which means grinding and polishing," says Dr. Lawrence Addleson who practices general restorative and cosmetic dentistry, with an emphasis on aesthetics. He has been practicing dentistry for 36 years and has been practicing cosmetic dentistry for 29 years. "You can take a very worn or misshapen square tooth and give it a more feminine look."
By using a polishing instrument that removes small amounts of enamel, usually one to two millimeters, it contours the tooth and sculpts it into a desired shape. Shaping means that special sanding machines are applied to the teeth, which results in better shape and shine of the teeth. When teeth are slightly crowed or uneven, or when eyeteeth appear too long, enamel shaping can be used to correct the flaw. This procedure is used to help a smile become more attractive; it cannot solve major flaws. If major work is needed, discuss with your dentist what should be done and how to go about improving your smile.
The procedure requires that the teeth be healthy and strong, as well as the gums. Since recountouring involves only the enamel, anesthesia is not necessary for this procedure. The procedure is fast, lasting about 30 minutes to an hour. The improvements are immediate and permanent, with the teeth and smile looking natural. The procedure should not cause any long-term damage to the teeth. The costs of the procedure range from $25 to $75 per tooth.
"You can take a misshapen square tooth and give it a more feminine look," says Addleson. "It is part of dentistry that you can utilize, and is well served. It is better than getting a veneer or undergoing something more invasive."
Tooth reshaping and bonding are similar, yet different. When describing tooth reshaping, people often confuse it with bonding. According to About Cosmetic Dentistry.com, bonding is a composite resin filling that is placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close up minor gaps and can be used to correct crooked teeth." Basically, the procedure will cover flaws by applying a thin coat of plastic material on the front surface of the tooth. Then the dentist will apply a bonding material and sculpt, color and shape it for a nice result. A laser is placed on the plastic to harden it and then it is finely polished.
