DENTAL CARE

Q: My Friend Had Her Front Teeth Fixed, and They Look Fake!

A: A question regarding looking more natural usually follows that statement. Every time I begin a case involving front teeth, whether it involves caps, also known as crowns, dentures, or partial dentures, this question is asked of me. In my years of practice, I have worked to create an individualized look for front teeth. Years ago, the choices for that were limited by the materials and techniques that we have. Dare I say today that we have more than anyone ever imagined, even 20 years ago.

Today, I will focus on dental crowns and their details. Dental ceramics, coupled with computer technology, has drastically changed the types of solutions that I can offer to the patient. For over 100 years, we fixed teeth with variations of procedures that stemmed from metal crowns. We dressed them up and made them look good. At least as good as we could when trying to cover metal. Dentistry has worked hard to find non-metal alternatives to fix and replace teeth. We are finally getting there.

For example, we can make an all-ceramic crown that mimics and echo the subtlety of the natural colors and shades or a real tooth. We can do this via various computer programs which design, plan, and even create the final crown. The fit is precise and quite affordable compared to some of the porcelain-metal materials with a lot of precious metal. These crowns were always at the whim of the gold and silver market and fluctuated quite a bit.

Dental laboratories jumped on the digital bandwagon far earlier than dentists. We have caught up with customized cameras that we call scanners. The detail and exactness when using these devices go beyond anyone’s expectations. In the past, I relied on my lab technician to determine the appearance of a crown and how it related to the gumline at the edge of the crown. With digital scanners, those days are gone in my office. There isn’t a crown that goes to the lab without me spending time fine-tuning the details. These details were left to the laboratory in years past. Now they are determined by me as I can see the whole patient and his mouth. This view is something that labs lack and, in cosmetic cases, can greatly impact the final result.

Another beautiful feature is that many of these ceramic crowns can be bonded to a tooth. This means we do less to the tooth than we used to do for other materials. A chemical tooth bond translates into more conservative dentistry, which is always better for you, the patient. So if you have wondered whether you could or wish to change your smile to something attractive and natural, please call me for a complimentary consultation. I will try to advise you in a direction that will create an esthetic result and a Healthy Smile for you. If you have any concerns regarding your mouth, please call Nikki at 440.951.7856 to make an appointment to talk together. We can discuss opportunities and solutions for you. As always, I look forward to meeting you and wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day.

Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD, is an Ohio-licensed general dentist and is on the staff of Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.

The Healthy Smile 34586 Lakeshore Boulevard (¼ mile west of Route 91 on Lakeshore Blvd) Eastlake, Ohio 44095 440-951-7856 Severance Medical Arts, Suite 603 5 Severance Center Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 216-371-2333 www.jeffreygrossdds.com