Crowns and bridges

A crown is a permanent prosthetic restoration that reconstructs tooth damaged by trauma, enamel defect or advanced decay. It is a hollow cap that covers a tooth, protecting it from further damage. Nowadays, prosthetic crowns are used to improve the aesthetics – they can cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth. A tooth that has been fixed with a crown looks and works very much like a natural tooth.

Video showing digital LAVA crowns

In the absence of a tooth and the presence of adjacent teeth, it is possible to fill the gap with a prosthetic bridge. Adjacent teeth are developed as pillars that will support the prosthetic restoration.

Video showing digital LAVA bridge

Prosthetic crowns and bridges can be made of many different materials. Our Materna Dental Clinic in Poznań offers all types of prosthetic restorations made from the highest quality materials.

Digital LAVA crowns

Video showing digital LAVA crowns

Made using the technique of full veneering of zirconia. Technicians mill the zirconia substructure and then apply layers of porcelain with individual colours and translucency to the entire structure of the substructure.

Video showing fitting of premium zirconia crowns

The full-contour zirconia technique involves the production of crowns and bridges in CAD/CAM technology, which are milled in full-contour from zirconia blocks. This modern technique offers the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. It is suitable for use in all areas of the mouth.

Video showing full-contour zirconia crowns

Video showing metal-ceramic dental bridge

Metal-ceramic or PFM (porcelain fused to a precious metal framework).
This is what most crowns are made from. A precious metal base and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.

The choice of material depends primarily on the conditions in the oral cavity and is determined in detail during a consultation visit with a prosthodontist. Finances play a secondary role. The costs will be presented in possible variants of treatment plans. All prices are available in the price list in our clinic Materna Dental or on our website. After accepting the selected treatment plan, a visit for tooth preparation is arranged, during which the teeth are filed down to make room for crowns and bridges.

First of all, don’t panic. It is a standard procedure performed under strict supervision of the specialist dentist. Try to remain calm and fully trust your dentist. If you have any concerns or if you are scared or worried, please tell your doctor before the procedure starts.

It is a good idea to have a light meal before your visit as you will not be able to eat for a couple of hours after the procedure. Bring some water with you and dress comfortably. Please do not take any painkillers beforehand, you will be given an anaesthetic so the procedure will be completely pain-free. You should inform your doctor of any allergies and tell him/her about all medicine you are taking. This is important for your doctor to choose the right dose of anaesthesia.

Please note that the length of the visit depends on the number of the treated teeth. If the procedure covers the entire arch, it may take up to 5 hours (including short breaks). The preparation of the patient for the procedure takes about an hour. During this time, photographic documentation is made for the dental technician (intraoral and extraoral images), intraoral scanning, and impressions for composite temporary crowns (which will be fitted afterwards with the use of temporary cement).

At the end of your visit, you will be presented with different types of crowns and you will be able to choose the colour, shape and design of your future crowns. It’s a good idea to prepare your chosen photos that we can pass on to our technicians (feel free to use our Facebook and Instagram, or other sources that contain photos that meet your expectations).

Depending on the material chosen (LAVA, Cerkon Premium, metal-porcelain), the next visit takes place around 2 weeks later. It usually involves a fitting of the structure or printed PMMA crowns (full-contour Zirconia).

The possibility of fitting allows you to evaluate the work before it is finished. The doctor then checks the work received: the colour, design and if everything fits properly. During the fitting, the doctor assesses the length, symmetry, and arrangement of future crowns and bridges in the arch. More pictures and scans may be taken, and the dental work is sent off back to the lab.

Before permanent fitting of crowns and bridges, prosthetic work is tried on once more, and the tightness, colour, design and arch alignment are checked thoroughly. Only after the patient and the doctor have accepted the work, it is cemented in place permanently.

Check out the short video of the LAVA crowns fitted in our Clinic!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CorSyHJKJ4T/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

Designing a new smile is not easy, so it is worth choosing the right specialists. The dentist at the clinic plays an important role throughout the process, guiding you to make the right choices, managing the treatment, and maintaining oral health during and after the dental crown replacement. With the right team and proper care, crown or bridge replacements can offer a long-term option for maintaining a healthy and bright smile.