Dental prosthetics

Missing teeth can lead to various dental issues. Gaps between teeth not only affect appearance but also make eating and speaking difficult. The change in biting force shifts the position of other teeth, while the absence of teeth causes the jawbone to shrink over time, leading to loss or deterioration of jaw joint function and premature aging.

Several tooth restoration options are available, where the dentist collaborates with a dental laboratory to create prosthetics.

Dental crowns, for example, help preserve the tooth’s internal structure and root, extending its lifespan. In the clinic, the prepared tooth is fitted with a porcelain or metal crown.

Indications for a single tooth crown:

• existing restoration >for the remaining hard tissue of the tooth
• root canal treatment
• fracture in the crown
• top part of dental implant
• part of dental bridges

Dental crowns are one of the most effective dental solutions to restore tooth shape, strength and/or improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth.

Dental crown procedure

Preparing your teeth for a dental crown usually involves two visits. During the first visit, the dentist treats the tooth tissue, takes an impression of the tooth and places the temporary crown. On the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown, checks the fit and color of the permanent crown, then cements it in place.

Dental crowns are made from a variety of dental materials:

• metal (gold, nickel or chromium)
• metal frame covered with porcelain
• ceramics
• composite

A dental bridge is a set of connected crowns used to replace one or more missing teeth. The dentist cements the lab-made crowns onto the supporting teeth, filling the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. The bridge anchors to the adjacent teeth, maintaining the integrity of the space and preventing nearby teeth from shifting. Stabilizing the remaining teeth after tooth loss is crucial, as shifting can create new gaps where plaque can accumulate, potentially leading to further tooth loss.

There are three main types of dental bridges:

• The traditional fixed bridge is the most common type of bridge and is made of porcelain or porcelain-coated metal.
• Cantilever bridge – it is supported by a single abutment tooth on one side of the gap. It is most commonly used when the supporting teeth are only on one side of the missing tooth or in areas of the mouth that are less exposed to biting stress.
• Maryland bridge – also known as a composite bridge, this type is usually only used in the incisal area where the biting force is not as strong..

A bridge can last for more than 10 years, especially with good oral hygiene. A bridge needs healthy surrounding teeth and gums to last. To keep your teeth healthy, brush twice a day using special floss and brushes designed for dentures. It is recommended that you visit your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning.

Dental implants

The dental implant is surgically placed in the jaw. After the dental implant heals, a crown or bridge is attached to provide a permanent, stable solution for the missing teeth. Dental implants are also used to fix removable dentures in place

While dental implants are a popular option for replacing missing teeth, they are not the only choice. Removable dentures are often the quickest way to restore missing teeth. Some dentists even have on-site laboratories, allowing for emergency denture repairs or same-day dentures if needed.

Dentures are placed directly on the gum line to replace missing teeth. Some wearers remove their dentures only at night, while others wear them only when necessary. Although removable dentures are designed for easy use, it’s not uncommon for them to slip out of place. When this happens, food can get trapped between the dentures and your natural teeth or gums, causing pain and irritation.

Removable dentures – dentists offer two types of dentures depending on the patient’s clinical situation. Removable partial dentures fill one or more missing teeth.

Total dentures are made when all the teeth have been lost.

* dental implants were initially used primarily for patients with reduced alveolar bone volume. When teeth are lost, the alveolar bone is no longer stimulated and begins to shrink. As the bone shrinks or atrophies, the ridge that supports dentures diminishes, a condition known as an atrophic edentulous jaw. Dental implants have significantly expanded treatment options for this issue. With the development of osseointegrated implants, they have become a key component in the treatment plans for edentulous patients.

Dental veneers are thin tooth-shaped porcelain plates that are attached to existing teeth to achieve various cosmetic goals:

• to get the shade you want
• slightly change the position of the tooth
• close gaps between teeth
• change the shape of your teeth
• cover cracks, structural defects

The dentist can match the veneers to the natural or desired tooth color for a smooth, authentic look. Porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant and can strengthen natural teeth.

Natural-looking veneers can be the fastest way to a beautiful smile!

Dental veneer procedure

Some types of veneers do not require special tooth preparation and little or no anesthesia. Others are made of a special type of ceramic and then require the removal of a thin layer of the surface of each tooth to make room for the veneer. The teeth prepared for veneers are covered with temporary plates until the permanent veneers are made in the dental technical laboratory.

During the second visit, the permanent veneers are cemented.

With proper care, porcelain veneers can last from 10 to 15 years.

Materials used for non-removable prostheses

Metal-ceramic

Classic metal-ceramic (MC) crowns have a proven track record of clinical success over many decades. Numerous clinical studies confirm their durability and predictability also in multi-unit bridges. MC crowns also provide precise support for removable prostheses, which is not yet achievable with zirconia or lithium dioxide crowns

Zirconia

The use of zirconia in dentistry offers increasing benefits for both doctors and patients. It is a extremely durable, biocompatible material that does not cause allergies, gum recession, or discoloration. The physical and aesthetic properties of the material ensure both good cosmetic results and high precision and durability. Patients and clinicians appreciate the reduced need to grind tooth tissue. Modern zirconia crowns can effectively mask in natural teeth, implant-supported prosthetic elements and metal pins.

IPS e. max

IPS e.max ZirPress is a combination of lithium disilicate and zirconia, where lithium disilicate is added to zirconia to improve the aesthetic properties of the material. Even 1 millimeter thin E max crowns have a bending strength of 500 MPa. A highly aesthetic, increasingly popular and relatively expensive material.

*Not suitable for very dark teeth – as Emax is more transparent than zirconia, they look more natural than zirconia. However, if the natural tooth needs to be specially covered, zirconia is more suitable.

* Suitable for short bridges only

IPS Empress®

IPS Empress is a globally popular dental material with over 30 years of clinical experience, used for crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers. It aims to enhance aesthetics while providing durable, long-lasting restorations. Made of metal-free ceramic glass, IPS Empress® inlays and onlays are used to restore significant amounts of tooth structure while preserving more natural tooth tissue compared to crowns. Clinical studies show that IPS Empress® restorations can last more than 15 years with proper care.