Frequently Asked Questions
Veneers and crowns are dental restorations designed to improve the appearance, function, and durability of teeth, but they differ in structure, purpose, and how much of the natural tooth they cover.
Veneers
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front surface of the tooth. They are typically made from porcelain or composite resin and are primarily used for cosmetic purposes.
How Veneers Work
- Preparation: A small portion of the enamel (outer layer of the tooth) is usually shaved off to make room for the veneer, so it sits flush with surrounding teeth. The amount removed is minimal, typically less than a millimeter.
- Impression: A mold or digital scan of your tooth is taken to create a veneer that fits precisely.
- Bonding: The veneer is bonded to the front of the tooth with dental cement, which is hardened using a special light to ensure a strong bond.
Best For:
Veneers are ideal for cosmetic improvements like covering stains, chips, gaps, or minor misalignments. They are less invasive than crowns but only cover the front of the tooth.
Crowns
What Are Crowns?
Crowns, sometimes called “caps,” are full-coverage restorations that encase the entire tooth, not just the front. Crowns can be made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination.
How Crowns Work
- Preparation: More of the tooth structure is removed compared to veneers (typically 1-2mm all around) to make space for the crown. This allows the crown to fit securely and comfortably over the tooth.
- Impression: Like veneers, a mold or digital scan is taken to create a custom-fit crown.
- Temporary Crown: A temporary crown may be placed while the permanent one is being crafted.
- Placement and Bonding: Once ready, the permanent crown is placed and bonded to the tooth using strong dental cement. It encases the tooth fully, restoring both the appearance and strength.
Both veneers and crowns offer distinct benefits that can enhance the appearance, function, and longevity of teeth. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages of each:
Benefits of Veneers
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Veneers are primarily cosmetic, designed to cover stains, discoloration, minor chips, and gaps, giving teeth a flawless, natural appearance.
- Minimally Invasive: Compared to crowns, veneers require only a small amount of enamel removal, preserving more of the natural tooth structure.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers, in particular, are highly resistant to staining, helping maintain a bright smile over time.
- Quick Transformation: Veneers can quickly and effectively improve the appearance of multiple teeth, often in just two visits.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: High-quality veneers can last 7-15 years or more with proper care, making them a durable option for cosmetic enhancement.
- Natural Appearance: Custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of surrounding teeth, veneers blend seamlessly and look very natural.
Benefits of Crowns
- Strength and Protection: Crowns are ideal for protecting weakened, cracked, or heavily decayed teeth. They provide full coverage, restoring strength and function for chewing and biting.
- Full Tooth Coverage: Crowns encase the entire tooth, which means they can restore severely damaged teeth and are less likely to be affected by wear and tear.
- Versatile Material Choices: Crowns can be made from various materials (Zirconium/Emax) tailored to the tooth’s location and function, making them versatile for both front and back teeth.
- Restores Functionality: Crowns fully restore the tooth’s structure, allowing you to chew and speak comfortably without the risk of further damage to the tooth.
- Improves Appearance: Crowns not only strengthen but also improve the appearance of damaged or misshapen teeth, creating a uniform and attractive smile.
- Longevity: With proper care, crowns can last 15-25 years+, making them a long-term solution for damaged or compromised teeth
Here’s the revised version:
Determining whether you’re a good candidate for veneers or crowns depends on your teeth’s condition and your goals for treatment. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding:
You Might Be Suitable for Veneers If:
- Your Teeth Are Healthy: Veneers are ideal for teeth that are generally healthy but have minor cosmetic issues, like discoloration, small chips, slight misalignment, or gaps.
- You’re Looking for a Cosmetic Improvement: If you want to enhance the aesthetics of your smile without needing significant structural support, veneers provide a quick, minimally invasive makeover.
- Minimal Enamel Wear: Veneers require removing only a small amount of enamel, so they’re best suited for those with enough natural enamel.
- No Major Bite Issues: If you don’t have severe bite issues or a habit of grinding your teeth, veneers are a good option. (For those who do grind, wearing a night guard can help protect veneers.)
You Might Be Suitable for Crowns If:
- Your Teeth Are Damaged or Weak: Crowns are better suited for teeth that are cracked, have large fillings, or have undergone root canal treatment, as they provide full coverage and reinforce tooth structure.
- You Need Functional Restoration: If you need to restore chewing or biting function, especially on molars, crowns are ideal since they offer greater durability.
- Your Tooth is Heavily Worn or Decayed: Crowns are the preferred option for teeth with extensive wear or decay since they protect against further damage.
- Bite or Alignment Issues: Crowns are strong enough to withstand stress from biting or grinding and can help with minor alignment issues.
Online Consultation Through WhatsApp with UK Smiles
The best way to find out which option is right for you is to have a consultation with one of our dental team. With UK Smiles, you can do this conveniently through an online consultation over WhatsApp. Our dental team will assess your teeth, discuss your goals, and help you decide whether veneers or crowns are the best fit for you
For veneers and crowns, two of the most popular and advanced materials are Zirconium and Emax. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Zirconium
What It Is
Zirconium, often referred to as zirconia, is a type of ceramic known for its exceptional strength and durability. It’s commonly used for crowns, especially on molars, because it can withstand heavy biting forces.
Benefits of Zirconium
- Durability: Zirconium is extremely strong and resilient, making it ideal for patients who need extra strength, especially on back teeth that do a lot of chewing.
- Natural Appearance: Modern zirconium crowns are layered with additional porcelain to create a natural, tooth-like appearance, making them suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Biocompatibility: Zirconium is biocompatible, which means it’s unlikely to cause allergic reactions or irritation in the mouth.
Best For:
Zirconium is an excellent choice for crowns on molars or patients who have a strong bite or grind their teeth. It’s durable, reliable, and designed to last.
Emax
What It Is
Emax is a type of high-quality ceramic made from lithium disilicate, known for its blend of strength and aesthetic appeal. Emax is especially popular for veneers and crowns on front teeth due to its beautiful translucency, which mimics natural enamel.
Benefits of Emax
- Superior Aesthetics: Emax has an impressive, natural translucency that closely resembles real teeth, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing options available.
- Strength with Beauty: Though slightly less durable than zirconium, Emax is still very strong and resistant to chipping, making it a good choice for front teeth that don’t endure as much biting force.
- Minimal Tooth Reduction: Emax can be made thin, so it often requires less tooth reduction compared to other materials, preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
Best For:
Emax is ideal for veneers and crowns on front teeth where aesthetics are a top priority. It’s strong, natural-looking, and can be crafted with great detail to match the surrounding teeth.
Generally the treatment can be complete within a 6-7 night stay in Turkey. If you require dental implants you may need to revisit the clinic 3-6 months later after a healing period has occurred, however the majority of customers can finish in 6-7 night stay.
Over the 6-7 nights you will have normally 3 appointments to complete the treatment. This will usually be appointment 1 (day after arrival) folllowed by 2-3 days away from the clinic, appointment 2 and 3 will then follow where the new teeth will be fitted and any final alterations will be made.
During crown treatment, you’ll have periods when you can eat normally and others when you’ll need to be cautious. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect during each stage:
1. After Crown Preparation and Temporary Crown Placement
- Temporary Crown Care: A temporary crown is not as durable as the permanent one, so it’s important to be careful.
- Foods to Avoid: Avoid very hard, chewy, or sticky foods (like toffees, gum, or crunchy nuts), as these can dislodge or break the temporary crown.
- Best Foods to Eat: Soft foods like pasta, rice, cooked vegetables, eggs, and yogurt are generally safe and comfortable to eat. Cut harder foods into small pieces and chew on the opposite side to protect the temporary crown.
3. After Permanent Crown Placement
- Normal Eating: Once the permanent crown is placed, you can eat as normal. Permanent crowns made from materials like zirconium or Emax are strong enough for regular biting and chewing.
- Waiting Period: After cementing, it’s best to avoid eating for at least an hour to let the crown set fully. After this, you can eat normally.
Your dentist will give specific instructions to make sure the crown treatment goes smoothly.
Generally, you won’t need to take time off work to recover after crown treatment. The procedure itself is minimally invasive, and recovery time is typically very short. In rare cases, if the procedure involves complex work or multiple crowns, you might want a short recovery window. If you’re concerned about any part of the process or anticipate needing extra recovery time, you can discuss it with your dentist in advance.
Yes the teeth can break but the likelihood is very small, the probability of this occurring is the same as breaking a natural tooth
On average zirconium full crowns last 10-25 years, in some cases they can last longer.
1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
- Brush Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with non-abrasive toothpaste to clean around crowns and veneers. Avoid brushing too hard, as it can lead to gum recession over time.
- Brush Toward the Crown or Veneer: When brushing around the gumline near crowns and veneers, gently brush in the direction of the crown or veneer—essentially pushing the gum tissue toward the restoration. This helps protect the gum from pulling away, or receding, while keeping the area clean.
- Floss Daily: Floss carefully around crowns and veneers to remove plaque and prevent gum inflammation. Dental picks or floss threaders can also be useful to clean between teeth and around the restorations without harming the gumline.
- Mouthwash: Use a non-alcoholic, antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria around your crowns and veneers. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol, as they can dry out the mouth and affect the adhesive on some types of veneers.
2. Be Mindful of Hard or Sticky Foods
- Avoid Hard Foods: Stay away from biting down on ice, hard candies, or other hard foods that can chip or crack crowns and veneers.
- Cut Hard Foods into Pieces: When eating foods like apples or carrots, cut them into smaller pieces to reduce pressure on your veneers or crowns.
- Limit Sticky Foods: Sticky candies like caramel or taffy can pull on the restorations, which may affect their longevity.
3. Manage Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Wear a Night Guard: If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard is essential for protecting veneers and crowns from excessive wear.
- Control Daytime Clenching: For those who clench during the day, try stress-reducing techniques to lessen the strain on restorations.
4. Regular Dental Checkups
- Professional Cleanings: Biannual cleanings remove plaque buildup and keep gums healthy, helping prevent gum recession around crowns and veneers.
- Routine Exams: Regular exams allow your dentist to check both the health of your gums and the condition of your crowns and veneers, catching issues early if they arise.
5. Avoid Staining Substances
- Limit Staining Foods and Drinks: Although many veneers and crowns are stain-resistant, substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas can dull their appearance over time.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking can discolor certain types of crowns and veneers and negatively impact gum health.
Yes the clinic will offer a guarantee which will be given when in the clinic, it will outline what is covered by the guarantee in detail. This guarantee lasts 5 years after treatment completion.
Zirconium (often referred to as zirconia) and Emax (a brand name for lithium disilicate) are two popular materials used in dental crowns and veneers. Each material has its own unique properties, advantages, and applications. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two:
Zirconium (Zirconia)
Characteristics
- Material Type: Zirconium is a ceramic material known for its exceptional strength and durability.
- Appearance: It can be made to look like natural teeth, but it often requires layering with porcelain for a more aesthetic appearance, especially in visible areas.
- Strength: Zirconia is one of the strongest materials available for dental restorations, making it highly resistant to chipping and fracture.
Advantages
- Durability: Zirconium crowns are incredibly strong and can withstand significant biting forces, making them ideal for back teeth (molars) where pressure is greater.
- Biocompatibility: Zirconium is biocompatible, meaning it is generally well-tolerated by the body and unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
- Minimal Tooth Reduction: While some tooth structure needs to be removed for a zirconia crown, the amount is generally less than what might be required for other materials.
Disadvantages
- Wear on Opposing Teeth: Zirconia can be harder than natural teeth, which may cause wear on opposing teeth over time if not used properly.
Emax (Lithium Disilicate)
Characteristics
- Material Type: Emax is a high-strength ceramic made from lithium disilicate, known for its superior aesthetics and reasonable strength.
- Appearance: Emax is highly regarded for its natural appearance and translucency, closely mimicking the look of natural tooth enamel.
- Strength: While not as strong as zirconium, Emax is still considered a durable option, especially for anterior (front) teeth.
Advantages
- Aesthetic Appeal: Emax is often preferred for veneers and crowns in the front of the mouth due to its lifelike translucency and color matching capabilities.
- Strength and Durability: Emax offers a good balance of aesthetics and strength, making it suitable for various applications, including anterior crowns and some posterior restorations.
- Minimal Tooth Reduction: Emax can often be fabricated to be thinner than other materials, allowing for minimal tooth reduction during preparation.
Disadvantages
- Less Suitable for High-Force Areas: Emax is not as strong as zirconia, making it less ideal for areas that experience heavy chewing forces (like molars), though it can still be used effectively in many cases.
- Cost: Emax restorations may be more expensive than zirconia due to the manufacturing process and materials involved.
Summary of Differences
| Feature | Zirconium (Zirconia) | Emax (Lithium Disilicate) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very strong | Strong but less than zirconia |
| Aesthetics | Good, but less translucent | Excellent natural appearance |
| Ideal Use | Posterior teeth (molars) | Anterior teeth (front) |
| Tooth Reduction | Moderate | Minimal |
| Cost | Generally lower | Often higher |
| Biocompatibility | Excellent | Excellent |
Conclusion
Choosing between zirconium and Emax depends on the specific clinical situation, desired aesthetics, and the location of the restoration in the mouth. For anterior teeth where aesthetics are paramount, Emax may be the preferred choice. For posterior teeth requiring maximum strength, zirconium is often the better option. Consulting with a dentist can help determine the most suitable material based on individual needs.
Yes, all of quotes include hotel stay, airport transfers in private VIP vehicle and FREE breakfast daily. All you need to do is book your flights separately in your desired dates, after confirming our availability.
Once we have received your photos via Instagram/WhatsApp/ email, we will send across our dentists recommendations of treatment plan and quoatation. If you are happy to proceed with the booking you will need to find suitable flights to stay in Turkey for usually 7 nights (your quote will say). You will also be required to pay £200 online booking fee, this amount is deducted from the total amount, the remaining amount you would pay when in Turkey, via CASH.
You will need to fly to Antalya Airport where one of our airport transfers drivers will await you, they will hold a sign with your name on so you can locate them easily.
YES, you will have lots of spare time to enjoy a holiday whilst in Turkey, this is why we have listed some places of interest within this information pack! The clinic is also right by once of the most popular beaches in Turkey- Lara beach, it is also surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants and shopping centres!
Yes, when in the clinic you will have the opportunity to choose your new teeth shade from a large spectrum of colour choices, you will also get the opportunity to choose the tooth shape from examples, so you really can get the perfect smile for YOU! this ranges from very natural options to dazzling Hollywood styles
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