
Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with planning and making of prostheses resecting the following requirements: functionality, resistance, safety and, of course, aesthetics. In this branch of dentistry, a quality dental laboratory, that follows a dentist and cooperates closely with him/her, is of essential importance.
It includes fixed works that are permanently cemented in the mouth, so the patient cannot take them out by him/herself. It deals with making of crowns and bridges, upgrades, inlays, overlays and other dental replacements that are permanently fixed in the patient’s mouth.
INLAY,ONLAY, OVERLAY:
When a part of dental tissue is missing, it can be replaced by a composite filling or a ceramic inlay. Depending from the size of replacement of the lost tooth, we talk about inlay, onlay or overlay. The ceramic inlay can be of identical colour as the natural tooth, they do not change colour in time and it represents a more long-term solution than fillings. For making of such dental replacement, a cooperation with the dental laboratory is also required.
A ceramic bridge represents one or more ’’false’’ teeth connected to at least 2 neighbouring teeth, and together create the integrity that replaces a missing tooth or teeth. The bridges can be made of metallic ceramic or metal-free ceramic.
Modern prosthodontics has made some efforts to solve the problem of dental aesthetics without teeth contouring, if there is an adequate indication for it. It is lumineers, composite flakes with ceramic admixtures that are glued to the intact teeth surfaces without their damaging.
What is a metal-free ceramic?
Metal-free ceramic (zirconia, alumina) is a type of prosthetic replacement without a metallic foundation, completely white. It is characterised by the highest degree of transparency, translucence as well as all other aesthetic qualities. It is absolutely bioinert and biocompatible.
Metal-free ceramic has an advantage in all aesthetic parameters. It does not have a black metallic edge (like in metallic ceramic crowns) which after some time can produce dark colour of the gum edge. The basic indication for their making is related to the frontal region.
The mechanism of making metal-free ceramic causes higher price, compared to metallic ceramic.
If no pre-prosthetic preparation is needed, a complete process of making of prosthetic work in both jaws can be executed in 7 to 10 days on average.
A metallic edge in an adequate prosthetic work is not visible. In time, as a consequence of gum recession, this edge can become more or less visible.
Veneers are metal-free ceramic flakes glued to the surface of the previously contoured tooth. It is worth mentioning that the degree of contouring for such work is significantly lower than in classical crowns and is done only on the front surface of the tooth.
A professional consultation with the dentist, including the analysis of the objective condition, clinical examination and analysis of image, is required in order to answer such question. Implantology is an imperative of modern dentistry and investing in the future. Thus the answer could be - implant, however, an adequate indication, good therapy plan, and an adequate general health condition of the patient are required. Schedule an appointment!
Each type of dental replacement requires the necessary hygienic measures taken by the patient him/herself according to the dentist’s instruction, and regular check-ups every 6-12 months. See you at the check-up!
ZIRCONIUM ceramic crowns are done in patients that strive for top quality and aesthetics. They are made by technology of computer scanning and making of zirconium basis which gives high accuracy and precision of the crown edges. It is completely mechanically resistant achieved with the thickness of just 0,4mm for which less tooth contouring is needed. White colour of the basis ensures better imitation of natural teeth and correction of aesthetic defects. Although today they are mostly used in the frontal region, ceramic bridges on zirconium-dioxide are suitable for tooth replacement in the lateral region as well.
Zirconium is the oldest element of the Earth’s crust and it is a basis for zirconium dioxide. As many as twenty and more years ago, it was successfully used in the hip surgery, and is today successfully used in dental industry. It has excellent characteristics, good for health - it is a biocompatible material, and that is why modern restorative dental medicine uses it.
Its main characteristics are: