What are the possibilities of dentures?
The loss of one or more teeth is not only an aesthetic problem, it also affects mainly the chewing and speaking functions. The only remedy is to replace the lost teeth with prosthetic measures. Prosthodontics is a superordinate term that describes the possibilities of replacing tooth defects or complete teeth or groups of teeth.
A primary distinction is made between fixed and removable dentures. Fixed dentures include, for example, crowns or bridges, which can replace parts of teeth or gaps. Alternatively, there are removable dentures, which usually replace a group of teeth or a majority of teeth.
Removable dentures include, for example, total dentures or partial dentures such as telescopic or model cast dentures. Combinations of fixed and removable dentures are also possible. Furthermore, the anchoring of dentures differs: Is a denture such as the total denture anchored only by soft tissue or is a denture fixed by teeth or implants?
Implants have created a new dimension of fixed dentures even for patients without their own teeth, which was unimaginable a few years ago. Which dental prosthesis is individually suitable depends on the jaw, teeth and general state of health of the person concerned. In addition, careful planning and pre-treatment, as well as one’s own oral hygiene, are decisive for the durability of a dental prosthesis.
The crown
A crown is a fixed prosthesis for building up individual teeth, the part of which above the gums has been partially destroyed by caries, trauma or similar. For this purpose, the tooth is prepared in a certain shape so that the crown fits optimally. The grinding of the tooth is done relatively steeply so that the crown has sufficient retention, i.e. hold.
After grinding, an impression is taken and the crown is made by a dental technician in the laboratory, so that it is usually finished after one week. The crown as a fixed prosthesis is divided into its materials and types. Full cast crowns are made entirely of metal, but can also be veneered crowns, which contain only the lowest layer of metal and are veneered on the outside with ceramic or plastic.
Furthermore, there are jacket crowns that are completely made of ceramic or are also called jacket crowns. A crown can also be used to compensate for a malformation or malposition, thus restoring the esthetics. The cost of a crown is between 250 and 800 Euros, depending on the design.
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