Prosthetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with improving the arrangement of teeth and reconstructing correct teeth arrangement. At present, prosthetic dentistry offers very aesthetic and highly comfortable solutions such as porcelain bridges, frame dentures (also claspless dentures with latches, snaps, or telescopic crowns). There are also a growing number of solutions for aesthetic improvement and reconstruction of the patient’s own discoloured or incorrectly positioned teeth. In such cases, the use of crowns and porcelain veneers allows us to achieve excellent aesthetic and functional results. For many years, our dental office has cooperated with PRO-GEO prosthetic workshop technicians, who help us create beautiful smiles for you!

Prosthetic Crown

The most common indications for placing a crown include: significant loss of hard tooth tissues, post-root canal treatment condition, developmental abnormalities of the teeth, discolouration that cannot be removed by other methods, incorrect shape/position of the teeth (when orthodontic treatment is not possible), dental attrition. However, prosthetic crowns are also placed when the patient is to receive a prosthetic denture, in order to enhance denture retention (hold) or fit the denture with special retaining elements (snaps, latches, millings, etc.). A healthy tooth root is at least needed for the crown to be made.

At present, patients may choose from different types of crowns:

all-metal (cast) crowns – the most budget-friendly type of crowns; because of their colour, they are used only in those areas of the mouth where aesthetics is not important,
porcelain (ceramic) crowns on a metal base – combine aesthetics with durability and budget efficiency (as an option, the base can be made using nickel free alloy – for allergic patients),
all-ceramic crowns – highly aesthetic, but sometimes brittle, and therefore their use is contraindicated in certain circumstances,
zirconia-based porcelain crowns – combine unique aesthetics with strength (for the most demanding patients),
acrylic or composite crowns – now used only as temporary crowns.
The feature of all prosthetic crowns with ceramic elements is their high aesthetics. Their colour is individually matched to the patient, which makes them indistinguishable from natural teeth, and their translucency and light refraction properties are also very similar to those of natural teeth.

Temporary Crown

Temporary crowns are made of acrylic (crowns made in a dental laboratory) or composite material (crowns made in the dental office during a single appointment). They are to protect the tooth between dental visits until the final crown is made and cemented. They protect the teeth against chemical and thermal influences, prevent shifting of prepared teeth, allow the patient to chew and speak correctly, and of course play an aesthetic role, which is especially important in the frontal region.

Prosthetic Bridge

Prosthetic bridges are made for patients missing individual teeth (possibly more than one) when dental implants are not an option for medical or financial reasons.
A bridge consists of a number of crowns cemented over abutment teeth, which are nothing more than properly prepared teeth, and “false teeth” that form the core of the bridge and replace missing natural teeth.
PROSTHETIC BRIDGE 2 The crowns and the core of the bridge form a whole, they are joined together and constructed from the same material (most typically from metal-based porcelain).
The bridge, just as the crown, is a piece of dental work permanently cemented into place and normally used for a few (or even more than ten) years.

Post and Core

It is a post cemented into the root canal of the tooth, which allows the patient to have a crown placed even when only a root is present. It is required for non-vital teeth, after root canal treatment, to prevent future fracture of the prosthetic crown at the neck of the tooth. Furthermore, it often plays a supporting role.

The fillings are made of non-precious metal alloys, gold, titanium, or glass fibres.

Acrylic Dentures

When all of the patient’s teeth are missing, removable acrylic dentures are used. They restore lost chewing ability, improve pronunciation of words, and improve the aesthetic appearance. As an option, we are able to make denture palates in clear plastic (for upper dentures), or strengthen a denture with a grid (for upper and lower dentures).

In some cases, acrylic dentures may be used where only part of the patient’s teeth is missing, although in such cases acrylic dentures should be used as temporary dentures to be worn until a more advanced prosthetic solution is provided. This is because acrylic dentures have the most adverse effect on the prosthetic base tissues (the teeth, the mucous membrane, the bone) from all pieces of prosthetic work.

Recommendations for patients using acrylic dentures can be found on our page under “FOR THE PATIENT” tab.

Frame Dentures

It is a prosthetic restoration made when some of the patient’s own teeth are preserved, provided that their quality is sufficient (i.e. they are not wobbly or damaged) and they are located in required areas.

It is made of metal (metal frame, metal clasps for the teeth) and pink acrylic in which false teeth are embedded.
It is a physiological denture, which means the chewing forces are transmitted by the periodontal membrane of the patient’s own teeth (the denture is not supported by teeth and gum tissue; therefore, it causes the least damage to the mucosa-bone base from all removable dentures).
Frame dentures, as opposed to acrylic dentures, have a very small palate plate the size of which is a frequent cause of discomfort, denture gag reflex, and decreased taste sensation.

Traditional frame dentures are made with clasps that are visible to a varying degree. The more aesthetic ones rely on precision attachments: millings, telescopic crowns, snaps, or latches.

Acron Dentures

An acetal denture is made in the same cases as a frame denture. Instead of metal components and stiff acrylic, a plastic material known as acetal is used. The clasps to be worn on the teeth are made to match the colour of the gums or teeth, depending on location. It is, therefore, a cosmetic denture. When compared to a frame denture, it is also lighter, break-proof and non-allergenic.

All-Ceramic Veneers

Veneers allow to cover extensive restorative work or persistent discolouration, change the shape of teeth, lengthen or widen the teeth, and achieve the patient’s dream look. Ceramic veneers are placed after the target teeth have been partially prepared and the impression has been taken at the dental office. During the next appointment, your doctor will permanently cement them on top of your teeth. The advantages of such works include small loss of hard tooth tissues, natural transparency, perfect aesthetics, and no future discolouration.

Benefits of Veneers:

Ceramic veneers are first of all an attractive alternative to full crowns because of:

• less preparation of the hard tooth tissues required
• exceptional marginal seal
• high abrasion resistance
• very good aesthetic effect
• compatibility with the periodontal tissues
• substantial improvement in the patients’ condition after completion of the treatment.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers:

• difficulties in matching and cementing a veneer (this type of restoration is very fragile prior to cementation and has low mechanical strength; ready veneers may be easily damaged when trying in)
• placing veneers requires an experienced doctor
• difficulty in colour matching (the colour of both the prepared tooth and bonding cement must be considered)
• no possibility of repair
• financial considerations

Porcelain veneers usually last for 5 to 10 years, whereas composite veneers last for one to two years at the most. In either case, every veneer will have to be replaced for a new one sooner or later.

Although veneers are strongly cemented to the tooth, it sometimes happens that a veneer becomes loose and falls off. In such situations it is important that you keep the veneer and immediately contact your dentist.

To extend the life of your veneers, it is important that you keep good oral hygiene. It is also important to see your dentist regularly.

Dental Night Guard

It is a special, custom-fitted teeth guard for patients having problems with occlusion, suffering from pain and problems associated with the temporomandibular joints, as well as for patients grinding, clenching or gnashing their teeth. It is made of special transparent material with thickness of approx. 1 mm. It is used mostly at night for 6 to 18 months.