Specialised Dentistry
Each patient is unique and therefore the treatment is dependent on the results of a clinical examination and consultation with Dr De Nysschen. Specialised procedures will be suggested as part of a treatment plan for giving you a functional and good-looking smile.
If your teeth, jaw and bite are healthy, minor improvements such as crowns or veneers, bridges or tooth whitening are usually sufficient to improve your smile. However, when teeth have been severely worn, decayed or damaged, a patient sometimes needs a full mouth reconstruction. This can include functional, neuro-muscular and cosmetic dental procedures.
Porcelain veneers may be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen teeth shortened by wear and tear, make teeth appear straight and provide consistent colour and shape. Veneers consist of tooth shaped pieces of porcelain that are custom-made to suit the unique shape and colour of each patient’s teeth.
Porcelain veneers are used to make minor aesthetic improvements to worn, decayed or damaged teeth. Oral functionality as well as appearance will improve . Veneers protect the remaining teeth and surrounding gums from subsequent damage and improve the general dental health.
Porcelain inlays/overlays are considered a stronger alternative to conventional composite fillings. This tooth restoration method consists of custom made fillings which closely resemble the natural look and feel of your teeth. Porcelain inlays are more durable and secure than conventional fillings.
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are fitted over the existing teeth to restore the tooth’s shape and size as well as increase its strength and improve its appearance. Porcelain inlays, overlays and crowns improve your oral functionality and general dental health, as well as appearance. Surrounding teeth and gums are also protected from damage.
CEREC CAD CAM is a unique dental restoration product that allows direct ceramic dental restoration and placement, using a variety of computer assisted technologies to do design work and manufacture all-ceramic veneers, inlays, ovlerays and crowns.
After local anesthesia, the tooth is prepared for the porcelain restoration to be done. Instead of a putty impression that would be sent to the lab, an optical impression is taken and the porcelain unit is designed at the chair side.
After this the restoration is milled by the wireless milling unit from a preformed porcelain block in approximately 20 minutes. Various shades and sizes of porcelain blocks are available. Once milled to specification the restoration is polished, stained and glazed. It is then cemented into place.
The following are the advantages of this system:
- A permanent crown fitted in one visit;
- No temporary crown is required; and
- No additional visits with extra injections.
The placement of a bridge is an alternative to replacing a missing tooth with an implant. It is a fixed solution.
A bridge is placed over the space of the missing tooth by preparing a crown on either side of the gap. An impression is taken and the lab casts a model. A structure is manufactured consisting of two anchors/crowns and a pontic, depending on the number of missing teeth. The bridge is cemented onto the adjoining teeth.
Dental implants are substitutes for teeth and they are today’s most sophisticated method for the replacement of missing teeth. They offer you a permanent solution for replacing one or more teeth. They are made of biocompatible materials, the same as hip implants or similar orthopedic devices, and function as anchors for crowns, bridges or dentures.
Dr de Nysschen has a post graduate diploma in Implantology (2009, Cum Laude). He is therefore qualified to perform implants, but more complex implants are done in collaboration with a periodontist or maxillo facial surgeon.
Implants consist of a titanium implant placed into the bone of the jaw to serve as an anchor for the abutment that fits on top of the titanium implant. Osseo-integration happens over 3 to 4 months. Once the implant is secure a crown is fitted on top of the abutment to restore function and aesthetics.
Once inserted, implants are treated the same as natural teeth.
Tooth whitening is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure to whiten the teeth. Once applied the bleaching agent penetrates into the dentine where stains are dissolved and removed. After whitening the enamel takes about 24 to 48 hours to harden to its original strength. During this period special care must be taken not to expose teeth to new stains. Teeth whitening can cause teeth sensitivity, please discuss this option with Dr de Nysschen.