Modern dentistry offers many solutions for the replacement of lost teeth. You can choose from various technical solutions with different methods of execution and from various price ranges.
One thing is certain: a missing tooth should be replaced!
A missing tooth is not simply an aesthetic issue. If it is not replaced, surrounding healthy teeth can tilt and move towards the gap, while the opposing tooth can over-erupt – grow longer -, causing its roots to lose stability. This further can lead to chewing difficulties, phonation issues, might even change your facial expression and cause psychological issues.
In some severe, advanced cases it can even lead to disorders of the temporomandibular joint.
Even smaller gaps can cause functional problems, and the adverse effects can make themselves felt quite soon, not only in the long term.
It is therefore advised to have a missing tooth replaced as soon as possible.
After a thorough diagnosis and a detailed consultation with your dentist, you can choose the restoration option best suited to your needs, whether you are looking for a more affordable option or a high-end solution.
CROWNS
A crown is a dental restoration which completely covers the visible part of a tooth, glued to its place with a special cement. It cannot be removed by the patient. Since the advent of implants, it can be used not only on your original teeth but can also be placed on implants.
One of the biggest advantages of dental crowns: they can help replace a missing or a chipped tooth in a number of ways, and they are durable and reliable.
Crown always consists of a strong core and a ceramic veneer fired onto it. They can be made from a metal alloy with a ceramic layer, or fully ceramic (porcelain).
PORCELAIN-COVERED CROWNS – PORCELAIN-FUSED-TO-METAL CROWNS
The most common technical solution, often abbreviated to PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal), also called porcelain crowns in everyday terms.
This kind of crown is made by firing porcelain veneer onto a metal core made of nickel-free dental alloy. A PFM crown is based on a metal core (sometimes made of gold, in which case it is called a porcelain-fused-to-gold crown); in zirconium crowns, the porcelain veneer is fired onto white zirconium dioxide. These zirconia types are the strongest crowns.
Advantages of porcelain-fired-to-metal crowns
- strong and durable
- relatively aesthetic appearance
- more affordable price range in comparison with metal-free crowns
PROCERA METAL-FREE PORCELAIN CROWNS
Procera AllCeram is a dental system that meets the highest aesthetic requirements as a long-term solution.
RECOMMENDED CASES
If your teeth have been repeatedly affected by cavities, necessitating large fillings or old types of crowns, the most aesthetic solution is provided by an all-porcelain crown made without a metal core. With Procera® metal-free crowns, you can smile with confidence, as your teeth will look perfectly natural. The Procera AllCeram® dental system can be used to restore one or even several teeth. It provides long-term solution while giving the highest level of visual aesthetic.
WHY PROCERA IS THE PERFECT CHOICE
It gives a completely natural, beautiful effect!
The novelty of Procera system lies in the fact that it eliminates the need of metal completely in the production of crowns. In traditional crowns, a layer of porcelain veneer is fired onto a metal core, and the metal underneath can show through near the gum, where the veneer is thinner, thereby lending the teeth a less aesthetic appearance. Procera substitutes traditional metal components with a special alloy, zirconium dioxide. This results in a white core, which is highly aesthetic. It has a translucency similar to that of natural teeth, making it virtually impossible to distinguish Procera AllCeram restorations from your real teeth.
It’s reliable!
The core is accurate to a thousandth of a millimeter, manufactured entirely by computer control, thereby eliminating the possibility of human error. A three-dimensional scanner scans the dental cast made from the dentist’s plaster impression, transmitting the data via internet to the Procera centre in the USA. After the core is manufactured, the porcelain veneer is fired onto it in a dental laboratory within the home country – based on the tooth color selected prior.
Biocompatible and hypoallergenic!
Procera AllCeram restorations contain no metal. The risk of allergy is virtually eliminated by this. Thanks to its advantageous properties, with proper oral hygiene gums can remain perfectly healthy around crowns and bridges.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PROCERA SYSTEM COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL CROWNS AND BRIDGE RESTORATIONS
- A core accurate to 6 micrometers.
- Milled in the Procera factory in the USA using optimized, specialized machinery from complete blocks of zirconia. This eliminates many sources of error (“eyeballing measurements” of dental technicians, inaccuracies during post-processing of the core, etc.)
- Should you lose your Nobel implant (with a lifetime warranty) that had a Procera restoration on it, the core for the new crown/bridge will be remanufactured under warranty for the new implant.
- 5 year warranty against breaks. In most cases you won’t even need new impressions, since the code on the warranty document can be used to search for the electronic image of the core, and the machines in the factory can manufacture it from this again.
- The warranty is valid in all countries worldwide where Procera technology is used.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU CHOOSE A PROCERA CROWN?
- As a first step in making the crown, the tooth needs to be prepared, filed, and an impression will be taken. 50% of the restoration’s price has to be paid at this stage.
The final crown or bridge is usually completed in seven working days. However, you will not be left without a tooth until then: you will get a temporary crown to wear in the meantime. - The second appointment is for a try-in, during which you can check the shape, size and color of your new teeth.
- The final finishing step, called glazing is then carried out in a dental laboratory within the country. The finished restoration is then bonded to the prepared teeth.
To preserve the beauty of your teeth, don’t forget to return for regular check-ups and professional scaling even after the restoration is done!
BRIDGES
Dental bridges can be used to replace missing teeth without implants. In the case of a missing tooth, a fixed restoration bonded onto the teeth can be the perfect solution, both aesthetically and functionally.
The technical implementation is as follows: a crown is placed on the adjacent teeth around the missing tooth, and a bridge element is placed over the gap. Since these elements are manufactured into one unit by the dental laboratory, the part above the gap can properly restore the previous state of the teeth.
Replacing missing teeth is more important than you might think – especially in the case of gaps in the bottom row of teeth. If these are not restored, even upper teeth can be lost. Restoration can be the perfect solution to lend you a confident smile, and to ensure proper chewing function, which is also essential.
DENTURES
REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
If a patient has several teeth missing, but implants are not a good choice due to financial or anatomical reasons, a removable partial denture will be made for them. This type of prosthesis consists of fixed and removable parts, which are connected by metal clasps, or a more aesthetic solution of special, invisible connecting elements.
REMOVABLE DENTURES
If all teeth are lost or missing, removable dentures can be made. These are recommended to patients who cannot have implants for any reason. A removable prosthesis is the perfect solution in such cases, resting entirely on the mucosa. In case of atrophy of the mandibular ridge, the stability of the prosthesis will not be satisfactory, in which case bonding is necessary.
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL
SoulDental dental clinic has the special advantage of being seated in the same building as our dental technical laboratory. The biggest advantage of this is that during the fabrication of aesthetic restorations for patients, the dental technician can check the color and unique characteristics of the remaining teeth with their own eyes, and create deceptively lifelike crowns, veneers and bridges based on this visual assessment. A so-called “bisque try-in” is always carried out in the restoration process, during which we check the color and shape of the semi-finished restoration with the patient to ensure a perfect result.
Our doctors who can help you with aesthetic tooth replacements
Appointments
We believe in the importance of patient information, as giving accurate instructions to follow can make a big difference to the outcome of a procedure.
You can read and download our patient information leaflet here, which will hopefully be helpful.