Dr Steven Soo

Surface tea and coffee stains are easily removed by simple scaling and polishing. In our clinic, we also use mild water-borne abrasion as it is very effective and can clean difficult to reach areas with no damage to the tooth enamel. Intrinsic or deeper yellow discolouration can be whitened with tooth whitening or bleaching procedures. In-clinic whitening and take-home kits are available and very good results that are safe for teeth can be achieved. You are recommended to consult your dentist for the most suitable method.

Here are two simple tips I give to all my patients with regards to caring for their dental bridge/crown: 1. Treat it as if it were your own natural tooth. Brush two times a day for at least two minutes each, floss at least once a day and visit a dentist two times a year. It is essential to continue with these oral care routine as a dental bridge/crown is equally susceptible to decay along the gum line. If you are unsure of how to floss effectively, ask your dentist so that he/she can guide you. 2. Try not to bite very hard things. For example: ice, nuts, crusty bread, dried fruit.

Gum disease is a separate issue from veneers but with all dental restorations, it is advisable to make sure the foundations are healthy before improving the appearance. A crown is like a house, and our gums are like the foundation. If the gums are not healthy, the foundation is not stable and it will not be ideal to build the “house” (crown) on it. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that all active gum disease is removed before having any cosmetic work done.

Firstly, a clinical examination of your dental condition will be carried out. This is when we check on the condition of the teeth and gums. Secondly, a radiographic examination is done to check on the condition of the underlying bone and any other condition that may not be seen during the clinical examination. Thirdly, a consultation is done to explain any dental issues that need to be fixed, along with each treatment option’s pros and cons for patient’s consideration.

Crowns, bridges, and veneers are different types of prosthetic solutions. Crowns cover the whole tooth to strengthen and improve the appearance (colour and shape), bridges replace missing teeth and often consist of several crowns linked together attached to the teeth either side of the gap. Veneers cover only the front of the tooth to improve the appearance and occasionally strength. All of them are made of porcelain and are provided for different reasons.

It is often said that veneers are minimally invasive and do not involve much preparation of the teeth. Whilst this is true, veneers are not totally reversible. In fact, it is considered permanent because the outer layer of your enamel needs to be removed to give way to the veneers, changing the original structure of your teeth. There may be an alternative to improving the appearance such as orthodontics and teeth whitening. It is important to be informed of all the treatment options available as well as the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision.

Crowns should last approximately 10 years if maintained well and not abused (i. e. biting very hard things). Therefore, it is important to take good care of them so that they can last as long as possible. Refer to this question for tips on how to care for your dental crowns and bridges. Like everything, they will be subject to some wear and tear and will require replacement eventually.

Porcelain veneers by the nature of the material can chip and break when encountering hard foods. Treat them gently and they can last a long time. The treatment is not inexpensive so one must look after them well. That includes brushing two times a day for at least two minutes each, flossing at least once a day, visiting a dentist two times a year and also avoidance of hard foods.

In Singapore, the cost of dental crowns generally ranges from $700 to $3,000. The cost varies widely depending on material, laboratory costs, clinician chosen and clinical time spent. The fees from a Prosthodontist (crown specialist) will be naturally higher to reflect the expertise and experience of a specialist. As every patient has different dental conditions and requirements, it is difficult to compare the fee between crowns and it is not a simple like for like comparison.

The various types depend on many factors such as: number of teeth to be replaced condition of adjacent teeth age of patient position of missing tooth These clinical factors are considered alongside the choice of material for the bridge to arrive at the best option for you. Ultimately replacing missing teeth may be better done with an implant. Your dentist can advise the most suitable restoration.

There are two basic types – gold or porcelain (ceramic). Gold is very hard wearing and good for patients who have a partially heavy bite or habit to grind their teeth. Unfortunately, the colour is not to everyone’s liking. Zirconia (ceramic) crowns are tooth coloured and also very hard-wearing. More than 99% of crowns are made from ceramic.

Hi Gui Fang, The treatment options available depends on the size of your gap. A small gap can be closed using braces or white (composite) fillings. A medium gap can be closed with braces, white fillings or crowns. A large gap (the size of a tooth) can be closed with braces and perhaps an additional tooth in the form of a bridge or an implant. To give you some background, a space or gap between two teeth is a diastema.

Providing a crown is generally a two visit procedure. The first visit will take approximately one hour to prepare the tooth and make an impression. During preparation of the tooth, you will be given some local anaesthesia to numb your tooth and gum tissue around it. The natural tooth is then trimmed away to allow sufficient space for the dental crown. Next, a dental impression is taken either with a hand-held scanner or with an impression tray. The dental impression is then sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate the definitive (final) crown.

A Prosthodontist specialises in the replacement of teeth using crowns/bridges, dentures and dental implants. Several general dentists can also provide this treatment but a prosthodontist’s training is specifically for this type of treatment. A recognised Prosthodontist in Singapore needs to receive additional three to four years of training, build up clinical cases (and experience) and sit for the Prosthodontic Specialist Exit Exam. Personal recommendation is a good start, while qualifications and experience are important things to consider.

Medisave can be used for certain surgical procedures only. As crowns, veneers and dental bridges do not require involve surgery, patients are unable to use Medisave to cover part of their treatment fee.