For dentists, preserving natural teeth is the top priority. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, as teeth can be lost due to disease or accidents. A custom-fitted dental restoration then restores the tooth’s function and appearance.
At our practice, we offer attractive restorative solutions that closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and feel no different from them when chewing or speaking.
If you’re considering dental restoration or would like to have a lost tooth replaced, please feel free to contact us. Our dentists in Zurich will help you select the right dental prosthesis for your needs.
What types of dental restorations are available?
The term “dental restoration” generally refers to any solution that replaces a natural tooth or parts of a tooth. The restoration can be permanently fixed, removable, or serve as a temporary solution until the final restoration is completed. The most important types are as follows:
- A dental implant is modeled after the natural tooth root. It is embedded in the jawbone and topped with an artificial dental crown. This allows the function and appearance of the lost tooth to be fully restored. Implants can also serve as anchors for bridges or dentures.
- A crown is an artificial covering that serves as a replacement for the natural tooth crown. It encloses the remaining tooth structure like a protective shell. Severely damaged teeth can thus be preserved and restored to full functionality.
- A dental bridge is used to close small gaps. The adjacent natural teeth serve as anchors. These teeth are crowned, and the crowns are used as anchor points for the bridge. The procedure is significantly less invasive than, for example, treatment with implants.
- A denture replaces entire rows of teeth or large portions thereof. Depending on the extent of the replacement, it is referred to as a full denture or a partial denture. In addition to the traditional denture with a palatal plate, there are now elegant palatal-free dentures that are firmly anchored to dental implants or to the remaining teeth.
What materials are used for dental prostheses?
A dental prosthesis is typically made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. Combined solutions are also often used, such as metal-ceramic crowns, which are covered with a tooth-colored ceramic veneer. This way, you benefit from the stability of the metal core and the excellent aesthetics of dental ceramic.
At our practice in Zurich, we also offer all-ceramic solutions. All-ceramic dental restorations are characterized by their high biocompatibility and can be an especially good choice for patients who wish to avoid having metal in their mouths. Visually, all-ceramic restorations closely resemble natural tooth structure. For example, they reflect light in a manner very similar to that of natural teeth. Dark metal edges at the gum line are avoided.
Which dental restoration is right for me?
Every patient has different needs and comes to our dental practice with a unique situation. Accordingly, there is no one-size-fits-all answer as to which dental restoration is the right one. In Zurich, we always begin with a thorough examination and then discuss the options with you.
When making a selection, for example, we must consider whether you still have any natural teeth and, if so, how many. The condition of your gums and jawbone is just as important to the dentist as your chewing habits. Last but not least, it’s also a personal decision as to which dental restoration makes you feel more comfortable in your daily life.
How does the process of getting a dental restoration work?
Before we fabricate a dental prosthesis in Zurich, we treat any existing oral health issues. Your dentist will then discuss the possible solutions with you and advise you on their respective pros and cons.
To fabricate the selected dental prosthesis, your dentist will take a digital impression of your dentition. Based on this 3D scan, your dentures are designed and custom-made in the dental laboratory. In the meantime, you’ll receive a temporary set so that you always leave our practice with a full set of teeth.
As soon as your dentures are ready, the dentist will insert them and check that they fit properly. If necessary, the dentist will make minor adjustments. You’ll also receive detailed instructions on cleaning and care. You can leave our practice in Zurich with your new, flawless smile.
How much does a dental prosthesis cost?
The cost of a dental prosthesis can vary significantly depending on the treatment option and materials used. Feel free to consult with one of our dentists to find out which types of dental prostheses are suitable for your situation and what the costs would be for each option.
FAQ
If individual teeth are missing for an extended period, the jawbone may resorb due to the lack of load. In such cases, for example, implant treatment is only possible after prior bone augmentation. The surrounding teeth may also shift because the load is not distributed evenly.
A complete set of teeth is also important for aesthetics, speech, and chewing ability. Larger gaps, in particular, can negatively affect facial contours and make speaking and eating more difficult.
An all-ceramic restoration is completely metal-free, biocompatible, and gentle on the teeth during placement. From an aesthetic standpoint, high-quality dental ceramics resemble natural teeth more closely than any other material. When properly fabricated, a dental ceramic restoration is indistinguishable from natural teeth. There are no dark edges, as seen with metal crowns veneered with ceramic.
If you’d like to avoid a removable denture with a palatal plate, an implant-supported denture is a good alternative. With this option, the denture is firmly anchored to several implants. If you still have natural teeth, they can also serve as abutments.
One semi-permanent solution, for example, is the telescopic denture. In this case, crowned teeth (inner crowns) serve as fixed attachment points. The denture has matching outer crowns that interlock with the inner crowns. The telescopic denture can thus be securely attached.
A sufficiently stable jawbone is required for dental implants. The bone can resorb over time, either due to conditions such as periodontitis or due to a lack of stress on the bone when a natural tooth is missing for an extended period. In such cases, the bone can be rebuilt using the body’s own bone material or bone substitute material. The substitute material fuses firmly with the existing bone and, once healed, is just as strong.
As a general rule, you should care for your dentures just as you would your natural teeth. There are special cleaning solutions and brushes available for removable dentures. Regular checkups with your dentist are also important. During these visits, your dentist will check that your dentures are in good condition.
The durability of a dental prosthesis depends on many factors, such as the material used, the amount of chewing pressure, and oral hygiene habits. With proper fitting and care, it is not uncommon for a dental prosthesis to last for many years—often even decades.