Crowns

Crowns are restorations usually made of a material like ceramic, which are cemented or bonded over teeth.  They are typically used to restore teeth that have been damaged by large areas of decay, cracks or fractures, or large fillings that have broken down.  They are also used to restore function and strength following procedures such as root canals or implant placement.

Crowns can also be placed when discolored, oddly shaped, or stained teeth need to be restored to their natural appearance, especially if the teeth already have other fillings, chips, cracks, or significant wear.

Bridges

Bridges are natural looking prostheses that can replace a span of missing teeth.  They are cemented into place, and are not removable from the mouth like a partial or complete denture. Because of their fixed nature, bridges can produce much stronger chewing force and are significantly more stable than removable prosthetics.

There are several types of fixed bridges, such as conventional bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin bonded bridges.  They are usually made from ceramic, or a combination of gold alloy and porcelain.

Veneers

Veneers are thin facings of porcelain bonded to the front of teeth to improve the appearance badly stained or oddly shaped teeth that are in otherwise healthy condition.  They require minimal tooth reduction, and in some cases the teeth do not need to be reduced at all.

They are more durable and have greater color stability than resin bonding, and highly resist permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking.