Crowns and Veneers are fantastic options for any one considering freshening their smile or a complete smile make over. To understand why we have to shave down the teeth, we need to take a quick second to understand what crowns and veneers are.
Veneers and Crowns are very similar. Crowns are like hats that sit over a tooth. A crown usually sit over all surface of a tooth.
A veneer is made from similar material, however we do not need to shave down as much a with a crown.
Crowns can be used to replace a tooth. There are a few types, however the newer private crowns are indistinguishable from natural teeth just by looking at them. Usually they look better than natural teeth. To get it to fit, we need to shave down all sides of a tooth to make space for it. Once all sides have been shaved down, we take an impression and then send that to the lab. The lab can then make a crown to fit the shaved tooth perfectly.
A veneer works in exactly the same way, however we usually only shave down 1 or 2 side of a tooth to place a veneer. Imagine a fake nail being placed onto the front of a tooth.
Does this damage the tooth?
Good question. In short yes! Every time we cut into teeth, we damage them- including simple fillings. Usually the tooth recovers, however the more we cut into them, the more damage that occurs.
Damage in this case means the nerve becoming “annoyed” leading to potential pain or even the tooth becoming non-vital (dead). The treatment for this is typically a root canal treatment, however in extreme and rare cases teeth may need to be extracted.
The chances of this occurring is relatively low. Evidence suggests between 5-10% will become non-vital in around 5 years. In practice this seems to be a lot less, however it is worth bearing in mind before any treatment is opted for.
Will the tooth be fine after the root treatment?
If the root treatment is carried out well, often this will clear everything up. Depending on the tooth and when the root treatment is required, a hole may have to be cut in the new crown. Sometimes we can place a filling and this will be adequate. Sometimes we may advise that we replace the crown. This will depend on the circumstances, and each case will be different.
Root treatments do not always work and if it doesn’t, it may have to be repeated or be referred to a specialist. If that doesn’t work or if the patient does not want referred, the tooth may need to be extracted.
Why would anyone get this done?
The headline figures are a bit scary. However, the majority of people have crown and veneers without many problems. In dentistry, as in any medical speciality, all treatments has pros and cons. As long as you feel comfortable with the team treating you and have been given the information to make an informed decision, Crowns and Veneers could be a very good treatment option for you.
Dr Abraham McCarthy