If you need to enhance your teeth, our Sheffield dentists can employ bonding, veneers, and crowns to address various dental issues.

If your teeth are chipped, broken, cracked, badly stained, or have minor gaps, our dentists might propose several solutions. Our dentists will opt for the simplest effective solution. These solutions, ordered by complexity, range from bonding to veneers and crowns.

Bonding

Dental bonding involves attaching tooth-coloured material (composite resin) to your teeth using an adhesive. This can repair defects and reshape teeth, typically in a single visit. Bonding can fix chipped, cracked, or stained teeth, close spaces, and cover the tooth surface to alter colour or shape. While bonding can last several years, it is more susceptible to chipping or staining.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of your teeth. They address spaces between teeth, chipped or worn teeth, permanent stains, poor shapes, or slight crookedness. Made of porcelain or plastic, they are usually applied to the upper front teeth that are most visible when you smile. In some cases, posterior teeth may also be covered.

Porcelain veneers are the most durable and colour-stable, and they may serve as an alternative to crowns, which are more expensive. The veneer process can require up to three visits. Initially, the dentist may take preliminary impressions of your teeth to create models. At the second appointment, some enamel is removed to accommodate the veneers. The dentist then makes a mould of the prepared teeth and sends it to a dental laboratory. At the final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth with adhesive resin.

Crowns

For teeth with significant decay, numerous fillings, or cracks, a crown might be recommended. Crowns restore the entire tooth, not just the front surface. The preparation involves reducing the tooth to a stable foundation to fit the crown over it.

An impression is taken and sent to a dental laboratory to create the crown. Meanwhile, a temporary crown is placed until the permanent one is ready. Dentists with CAD/CAM technology might be able to create the crown during the same visit.

Crowns can be made from materials such as ceramics (including porcelain), metals (gold, copper, or other noble metals, or base metal alloys with a silver appearance), or a combination of ceramics and metal. Crowns are generally more expensive than bonding and veneers.

Conclusion

Choosing the appropriate dental treatment depends on the specific condition and needs of your teeth. Bonding offers a quick, cost-effective solution for minor defects, while veneers provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing option for more significant issues. Crowns, although the most complex and expensive, offer comprehensive restoration for severely damaged teeth. Consulting with our trusted Sheffield dentists will help determine the best course of action to achieve optimal dental health and aesthetics.