If any of your teeth are missing or damaged, or you have other problems with your mouth or jaw, your dentist may recommend prosthodontics. A missing tooth should always be replaced, because the unity of your denture is disturbed. The teeth on either side of the gap will tilt and drift, while the teeth in the opposing arch (antagonists) will erupt over the chewing plane and have an adverse effect on the jaw joint. The supporting structures are overloaded, which leads to the mobility of other teeth.

Prosthodontics can involve replacing teeth with dental prosthetics such as implants or rebuilding other facial structures. Prosthodontics aims to restore your smile as well as preserve your oral health for the long term.

Repairing worn, damaged or decayed teeth can be achieved by using crowns, fillings and other restorative treatment. Replacing missing teeth can involve implants, bridges and dentures.

I. Replacement of a severely damaged crown without missing teeth

You need a jacket crown if the damage to the tooth due to decay, trauma, wearing or erosion is so extensive that it cannot be corrected by simply filling the tooth.

Why do we recommend a Zirkonium metal free crown?
Due to its excellent aesthetics, we can achieve a natural look. It does not contain metal, thus we can prevent allergic reactions. It fits precisely and provides excellent function. It is exceptionally durable.

Metal-Ceramic crowns are made of excellent biocompatible alloys covered by a special ceramic material, porcelain.

What are the benefits of Zirkonium metal free restorations?

• aesthetic look
• durability
• metal-free
• suitable for patients with metal allergy
• shoulder preparation for crowns
• perfect fit

Further options to replace damaged teeth:

• pressed ceramic crowns
• pressed ceramic veneers
• aesthetic Procera® Al-oxide ceramic crowns
• aesthetic Procera® Al-oxide ceramic veneers
• porcelain jacket metal covering crown
• Full metal crown

II. Replacement of a single tooth

If you only have one missing tooth, the adjacent teeth are usually used as the pillars to the bridge. These two teeth will be prepared in the same way that teeth getting crowns are prepared, and then an imprint will be taken. The dental technicians will then make a three unit bridge, one with the missing tooth I the middle, and two smaller, cap like ends that go atop the teeth next to the missing one. Bridges are considered fixed dental prostheses, and are adhered with very vigorous adhesive.

Partial dentures are used in case the patient only has a few teeth missing, but the remaining teeth make a complete denture impossible. It is made of the same parts and materials that a full denture is made of, but may have some extra clips and parts used to affix the dentures to the rest of the teeth.

1. Short bridge: we can replace a single missing tooth with a short bridge. However, it requires grinding of the neighbouring teeth.
2. Implant: replacing a missing tooth with an implant does not require grinding of the neighbouring teeth.

III. Replacement of more than one tooth

According to recent guidelines we recommend fixed restorations.

1. We can replace missing teeth with a longer bridge. However, it requires grinding of the neighbouring teeth.
2. By placing implants we can make shorter bridges without damaging the neighbouring teeth. Short brides are more stable. With implants we can shorten the widths of the gaps between missing teeth and increase the stability of the bridge. We never connect anchor teeth and implants.
3. We can also replace missing teeth with partial removable dentures.

IV. Partial and Full removable denture

Complete, removable layered dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing from a jaw. The prosthesis is made from plastic teeth, and the torque of chewing is soaked up by layers of thin sheet metal, which are covered by a layer of artificial gums. Removable dentures are kept in place via the vacuum generated in the mouth, and this can be helped with denture adhesives.

Partial dentures are used in case the patient only has a few teeth missing, but the remaining teeth make a complete denture impossible. It is made of the same parts and materials that a full denture is made of, but may have some extra clips and parts used to affix the dentures to the rest of the teeth.

They may also discuss overdentures with you, which are anchored more firmly in the mouth using dental implants. This helps to reduce the bone loss that can occur with traditional dentures.

Future of Prosthodontics

Digital dental technologies are helping to transform every aspect of the dental industry. The days of tedious, manual production of crowns, copings and bridges are fast disappearing.

The latest technological advancements in scanning, CAD/CAM software and CNC milling now allow digital dental labs to deliver custom production with speed and precision.Better fit and aesthetics promote patient satisfaction, while labs enjoy enhanced productivity with faster turnaround time and optimal accuracy and repeatability. More about Dental Wings .