If teeth are too badly damaged or lost, crowns and bridges as well as implants help to restore function and aesthetics. They are among the tried and tested forms of fixed dentures and give you confidence when chewing, speaking and smiling - almost like your own teeth.
Dental crown
A crown is used when a tooth is so badly damaged that a conventional filling is no longer sufficient. The tooth remains intact and is not removed. Dental crowns are usually made of ceramic in collaboration with the dental technician and are customised for the patient, like a tailor-made suit. The advantages of a ceramic crown over a conventional filling are that the crown is much more stable and durable. In addition, it is much closer to the natural tooth anatomy, so that contact points to the neighbouring teeth are much closer and less food debris accumulates between the teeth, which significantly reduces the risk of periodontitis.
Indications for a crown
Severely damaged teeth (e.g. due to caries), fractures, accidents, teeth with root canal treatment, aesthetic improvement.
Bridge
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. The neighbouring teeth are ground down slightly and used as abutments to anchor the bridge securely. Bridges are usually made of high-strength ceramic in collaboration with the dental technician. The fixed bridge can be an alternative to an implant, especially if the abutment teeth are already severely damaged and therefore little or no healthy tooth structure needs to be sacrificed during grinding.
Implant
A dental implant (artificial tooth root) makes it possible to replace missing teeth without grinding down the neighbouring teeth, as would be the case with a tooth-supported bridge. In terms of functionality and comfort, dental implants come closest to natural teeth. Implants can usually be inserted with a local anaesthetic (injection) and do not require a general anaesthetic. A dental implant is made of biocompatible titanium and ossifies firmly with the jawbone after insertion. Before the implant can be loaded (e.g. with a ceramic crown), it usually has to heal for 2-3 months. Dental implants can be used to replace one or more teeth. Dental implants serve as a kind of «modular system». For example, they can also be used with ball retaining elements to anchor dentures in order to improve their retention and stability.
Provided there are no factors relevant to general medicine, excessive tobacco consumption or periodontitis, dental implants can usually be placed into old age.
