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Smoking can potentially cause many problems. They range from bad breath to oral cancer. I will list the most common problems:

• Bad breath
• Staining of the teeth
• More rapid development of tartar
• Adversely affects the attachment of bone & soft tissue to the teeth. i.e.: receding gums which can cause a sensitive reaction to hot & cold
• Delayed healing
• Six times more likely to develop oral cancer
• Periodontal disease

The effects of smoking are that people who smoke will have a high probability of losing their teeth. Furthermore, smoking initiates gums disease. Gum disease manifests itself as swelling on the gum areas that finally lessens the strong teeth formation. It is at this stage that tooth loss occurs. Some will argue that there is no association between smoking and loss of teeth or gum problems. They further insist that their genetic structure is responsible for these kinds of dental problems.

But their argument is totally wrong.

Studies have proved that smoking can cause dental problems. Many dental problems, especially gum problems are caused due to smoking. This is because smoking triggers the accumulation of bacteria in plaque. Actually the gluey white material that builds up on our teeth whenever we do not brush them is plaque, already a major factor in dental problems. Moreover like a double jeopardy, smoking helps in bacteria formation in plaque. So, when bacteria already thrive within the gum area, it will lead to inflamed gums. Furthermore, this will have an effect on the jaw, speeding up the loss of teeth. If not, teeth will soon need to be extracted because it is by this stage that they will progressively get worse.

Gum disease is a silent killer of your teeth.

Both types of crown are strong enough to be used anywhere in the mouth (both front and molar region)

Zirconium has a long-standing reputation for quality, durability and beauty in dental ceramics. The technology of this product is extremely advanced. When preparing, we take a precision sample and with computer technology we make a virtual base. It is tasteless and needs minimal invasive preparation by the dentist. As it has a precise technology, the cement line, which is the weak link in any ceramic system, is extremely thin, making for a very long lasting restoration. In the case of regular porcelain fused to metal crowns, we need more tooth tissue to be prepared.

The zirconium work needs no metal framework, it is biocompatible eliminating the risk of an allergic reaction which is always a risk in the case of porcelain fused to metal crowns.

And finally, the zirconium based dental work has excellent translucency, imitating the natural beauty of teeth. The porcelain fused to metal crowns are not quite as natural looking, and it can happen after years of use that a thin gray margin appears by the gumline of the crown.

The typical cost of a zirconium crown is £320, the porcelain fused to metal crown is £199.

A missing tooth needs to be replaced both for aesthetic and functional reasons. The most common treatments for missing teeth are either a fixed bridge or an implant supported crown. Dental implants are now becoming more popular treatment as they provide a long-term solution, slow down bone loss and preserve nearby healthy tooth tissue.

An implant supported crown looks, feels and functions like your natural teeth, traditional bridges less so.

Adjacent healthy teeth do not need to be ground down for an implant supported crown, as they do for bridges, so healthy teeth needs to be sacrificed for bridge work. If in the future one of the teeth under the bridge becomes damaged or unhealthy, the whole bridgework will be compromised.

Dental implants stimulate the bone tissue and gums, ensuring an aesthetic result.

Implant supported crowns ensure better oral hygiene as they need to be cleaned just like natural teeth, bridges require special technique as they tend to collect more plaque around them.

Implant supported crowns are more a long-term solution than the conventional bridges.