Prosthetics is a tooth or its partial replacement with a construction that is manufactured in cooperation with a laboratory. Prosthetics can therefore include removable dentures, non-removable prosthetics (bridges and crowns) as well as fillings made in the laboratory.
Prostheses may be broadly divided into removable (dentures) and non-removable (crowns, bridge prostheses, laminates, etc.) Selection of a specific design may sometimes be quite complicated but in collaboration with the patient and the doctor we can find you the optimal solution.
CROWNING
Crowning is a permanent covering of a tooth with a material, which restores a tooth’s shape and appearance. If little left of the tooth or if it consists mostly of fillings, it should be crowned. Extensive fillings, especially in the molars, are not intended for intensive chewing loads and therefore wear out relatively quickly. After the root treatment it is recommended to crown the tooth. The tooth with treated root canals can easily break.
Dental crown supports the dental tissues and reduces the risk of breaking. It is also possible, under certain conditions, to successfully crown a tooth of which only the root is preserved. A prerequisite for it is the preparation of a pillar into the root. A high quality crown may persist for decades in the mouth.
Dental crowns and bridges
We use both metal-ceramic and full ceramic solutions for the preparations of crowns and bridges.
Metal-ceramic prostheses are made of metal framework (CrCo, Ti, Au) and a covering ceramic (porcelain) layer.
Their strength is:
- Good functionality and durability
- Good aesthetic appearance
- Moderate price
The advantages of full ceramic zirconium crowns are:
- very good aesthetic result (no dark line on the gingival line)
- biologically the most suitable material (allergy-free)
- strong and durable—zirconium oxide is one of the few ceramic materials, that can withstand the strong mastication forces in the back of the mouth.
- No cracks, the microstructure of zirconium does not change
- Exact fitting—exceptional accuracy is achieved thanks to the precise scanner (< 20 µm) and computer modelling. The suitability of the crown to the tooth is achieved through very exact removal of the enamel.
Dental coverage with a crown is necessary if
- More than 1/3 of the tooth consists of filling
- Little is preserved of the tooth’s crown and a large extent of it needs to be restored
- Root treatment has been carried out on the tooth
- It is necessary to elevate the tooth
- It is necessary to change the colour or the position of the tooth
BRIDGE
The bridge is a non-detachable construction replacing a missing tooth that is supported by neighbouring teeth. The bridge construction is indicated, if the teeth adjacent to the defect are strongly damaged and need to be crowned. If the adjacent teeth are healthy or a little damaged, then the missing a tooth (or teeth) are better replaced with an implant (or implants).
Laminates
Laminate is a thin ceramic plate manufactured in a dental laboratory that is glued on the outer surface of the (frontal) tooth to achieve the desired shape and colour of the tooth.
Laminates are indicated as
- It is necessary to change the colour of teeth, but whitening has not produced the desired result
- It is necessary to slightly adjust the shape/position of the teeth
PLATE DENTURE (removable prosthesis)
This is a plastic prosthesis, with metal elements only used for necessary clasps. It is prepared only if all teeth or most of them are lost. It can also be used as a temporary replacement prosthesis for a missing tooth.
Although it is a cheaper type of prosthesis, is not recommended for prolonged use, since this type of denture has a negative effect on teeth and gums.
BUGEL PROSTHESIS (removable prosthesis on a metal framework).
Bugel prosthesis has a metal framework that gives it strength and smaller dimensions, which in turn makes its use more comfortable.
Bugel prosthesis replaces the missing teeth and is used if bridges or implants are not indicated.
COMBINED PROSTHETICS
This is a combination of different types of prostheses. For example, some teeth are restored with bridges or crowns, but some are replaced with a removable prosthesis. Mostly the comfort of use is very good.
They are used if it is not possible to replace all of the teeth with a non-removable prosthesis.
IMPLANTS AND PROSTHESES ON IMPLANTS
A missing tooth can be restored with an implant which is planted into the bone and onto which a laboratory-prepared crown part is attached. The end result is similar to that of natural teeth. Similarly, it is possible to prepare bridges that are supported by implants. Implants may also be used to support removable prostheses. Sometimes these are the only opportunity, if the removable prosthesis does not stay in the mouth.