What is a facing?
Do you want beautiful white teeth? Or do you want to get rid of a crack between your teeth? Or do you want to have a broken tooth repaired? With the help of a so-called facing, the dentist can enhance the appearance of your teeth.
A facing is a layer of tooth-colored filler material made of composite or a porcelain shield. The dentist sticks the filling material to the tooth. This way he can change the shape or color of a tooth. He can also fill gaps between teeth, repair broken corners, whiten yellow or brown teeth and mask crooked teeth.
How long does a facing last?
A facing lasts five to ten years and sometimes longer. Smoking and drinking a lot of coffee or tea promotes discoloration. A facing can wear or damage if, for example, you grind your teeth or bite your nails. The dentist can always repair or replace a worn or damaged facing. This treatment does not damage the tooth itself.
What material are facings made of?
A facing is made from composite or porcelain. For a composite facing, the dentist generally needs less grinding on your tooth. The result is also more predictable and the costs are considerably lower than with a porcelain facing. On the other hand, a porcelain facing is less sensitive to surface attack.
What does the treatment for a facing consist of?
The application of a facing proceeds in a number of steps. A facing of composite brings the dentist in one treatment. A porcelain facing is made in a dental laboratory. That is why you have to go to your dentist at least twice.
The treatment in steps for a composite facing
Choose the color
First the dentist chooses the right color of your facing in consultation with you. The dentist can immediately show you the effect of the desired color. He has different colors at his disposal that he can combine with each other. You can compare it to mixing different types of paint.
Grinding the tooth
If necessary, the dentist will grind a very thin layer off the surface of your tooth. In this way he makes room for the facing. If this does not happen, your tooth will become slightly thicker.
Stick on the facing
Before your dentist sticks the composite to your tooth, he treats your tooth with an acid. He also applies an adhesive layer to your tooth. On this layer he confirms the still soft composite.
Shaping the facing
After your dentist has stuck the composite to your tooth, he first roughly molds the filler into the correct shape. The dentist illuminates the composite with a blue light when the desired shape is achieved. With this he makes the composite hard. Finally, he grinds the composite to the desired shape and polishes the surface. Then the facing is ready. If you don’t like the shape or color, your dentist can immediately correct the facing after grinding a layer of composite.
The treatment in steps for a porcelain facing
Choose the color
During the first treatment, your dentist will determine the correct color of the facing in consultation with you. He uses a color swatch for this. Your facing is then made in this color in the dental laboratory.
Grinding the tooth
With a porcelain facing, the dentist almost always has to grind away enamel. A porcelain facing must be at least half a millimeter thick.
Shaping the facing
Your dentist makes a print of your tooth. That print goes to the dental laboratory. There they make your facing in the desired shape.
Stick on the facing
The dentist applies the facing during the second treatment. Before the dentist sticks the facing to your tooth, he treats your tooth with an acid. He also applies an adhesive layer to your tooth. He sticks the facing on this layer. If you do not like the shape or color of the facing, a completely new facing must be made in the dental laboratory.
How does a facing feel?
A facing feels like its own tooth. Maybe you first have to get used to it. Talking can cause some problems in the beginning if your teeth are made longer. If the dentist has changed the shape of your teeth, sounds can distort. That will go away after a few days.
Can you eat everything with a facing?
With a facing you can eat everything. But you should not bite hard things, such as acids, your nails or, for example, a pen. Also tearing off adhesive tape with your teeth is not recommended.
Does a facing need extra maintenance?
A facing requires no extra maintenance. As always, you will need to keep your teeth clean. Brush with a soft toothbrush. Use dental floss regularly to clean well between teeth.
What does a facing cost?
The costs of a facing depend, among other things, on the material that the dentist uses. A composite facing is considerably cheaper than a porcelain facing. This price difference arises, among other things, from the costs of the dental laboratory. Your dentist can indicate what the treatment will cost.