Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Each tooth has its own precise location in the dental arch. It contacts its right and left neighbours as well as the opposing tooth. After tooth loss, adjacent teeth tip towards the gap, creating unaesthetic spaces that promote gum inflammation. Bone and gum recession also occur. The opposing tooth overerupts and becomes overloaded, which can lead to mobility and tooth loss. Malocclusion may develop, causing changes and pain in the temporomandibular joint.
Dental prosthetics supplements missing teeth and reconstructs damaged ones. Its goal is to restore chewing function and improve facial aesthetics. Depending on the number and quality of missing teeth, different solutions are used. If the tooth root remains, the whole tooth can be rebuilt with a post and then a prosthetic crown. Missing teeth are replaced with dentures. Metal framework partial dentures are recommended due to their smaller base — they are healthier and more comfortable than traditional acrylic plates.
Prosthetic restorations are divided into fixed and removable. Fixed restorations include crowns, bridges, post-and-core restorations and veneers. Removable restorations are framework, acrylic and clasp-free dentures. Increasingly, missing teeth are also restored using implants. The right choice depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the remaining teeth and bone, and the patient's aesthetic and financial expectations. We prepare the treatment plan individually during a consultation.
A prosthetic crown is a restoration that recreates the natural shape, function and appearance of a damaged tooth crown. It is used when a tooth is heavily damaged by caries or trauma, after root canal treatment (when the tooth becomes brittle), and also for aesthetic reasons. All-ceramic and zirconia crowns provide the most natural effect - they are indistinguishable from your own teeth and show no metal edge at the gum.
A bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or several missing teeth, supported by ground-down adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) or by implants. It restores chewing function and aesthetics, and being permanently fixed in the mouth it is comfortable and does not need to be removed. It is a good solution for single gaps when the neighbouring teeth are strong enough.
Acrylic (tissue-supported) dentures rest on the mucosa and are an economical solution, but they have a larger plate. Framework dentures have a metal connector, so they are smaller, more durable and more comfortable, and the load is also distributed onto the natural teeth. Clasp-free dentures have no visible metal clasps, which gives a better aesthetic effect. We select the type of denture according to the number of missing teeth and the condition of the remaining teeth and gums.
The individual stages of prosthetic treatment are painless, and procedures that require grinding the tooth are performed under local anaesthesia. Making a restoration usually takes several visits: consultation and preparation of the teeth, taking impressions or a scan, a try-in and fitting the finished work. The time depends on the type of restoration and the dental laboratory's work. After fitting, good hygiene and regular check-ups are key, as they extend the lifespan of the restoration.