Bridges and crowns

Artificial dental crowns are a way of restoration of damaged teeth. It is used in the following cases:

• teeth are seriously affected by caries, erosion, wear or trauma, and tooth tissues are severely damaged (less than 50% of the amount of tooth tissues are left),
• for improving dental esthetics (repainted, misshapen, etc.)
• on the implants.

According to the patient’s wishes, dental crowns of different types are made:

• Molten dental crowns are made of metal. Molted dental crowns have metallic glow therefore because of the esthetic properties they are usually used for restoration of the side teeth.
• Cermet dental crowns 
are dental crowns made of ceramics and fixed on the metallic frame.
• Zirconium ceramic dental crowns are dental crowns made of ceramics and fixed on zirconium frame. Zirconium ceramic dental crowns are durable and esthetically suitable for restoration of any tooth since zirconium frame is consistent in color and is not seen through the ceramic coating, as well as it is biologically more compatible and less allergenic material.
• Zirconium dental crowns are dental crowns made of zirconium which is esthetically identical to the patient’s natural teeth. It is the most durable type of dental crowns therefore zirconium dental crowns are particularly suitable for people with an increased risk of injury.
• Ceramic dental crowns 
are dental crowns made of pressed ceramics (Emax). The ceramic material is relatively less durable but aesthetically the most appropriate o the natural dental appearance therefore the ceramic dental crowns are best suitable for restoration of the front teeth.

In the past presswork dental crowns was also widely used. These are standardized in size metallic or plastic dental crowns (are not made for each individual patient) cemented on the polished surface of the damaged tooth. Because of their very non-precise manufacturing technology they are almost not used anymore.

Bridges

The bridge is a solution for replacement of one or two (rarely three) missing teeth. It is a prosthetic construction fixed on the patient’s healthy teeth when there are the patient’s own teeth in both sides of the missing tooth.

The bridge has its advantages:

• It will not allow the surrounding teeth to tilt or thin.
• It will fully replace esthetically and functionally the missing teeth.
• It is not removable.
• No surgical intervention is needed for its manufacturing.

Manufacturing of the bridge is done in three sessions, apart from preparation of the supporting teeth.

• During the first visit, your teeth will be grinded, an imprint will be taken and temporary crowns will be made unless it is not already done during the preparation stage of the teeth.
• The dentist will take the patient’s dental imprint one more time and will records his bite so that a permanent dental bridge can be made in the dental technical laboratory.
• The patient visit the dentist the couple following times to initially try on the frame of the permanent dental bridge, and later – for trying on the dental bridge. When all necessary fitting and, if necessary, adjustments are done, the dental bridge is covered with special, hardening glaze in the technical dental laboratory.
• During the final patient’s visit, the dentist by permanent cement puts on the created dental bridge.

The dentist will show you how to clean the bridge with dental floss and will recommend visiting a hygienist every six months.