If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close or bridge the gaps in your smile with a dental bridge. This treatment is widely available in Poland and much cheaper than in the UK.
Dental bridges are a popular dental restoration that can improve both the function and appearance of your smile. Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth and can help restore your ability to chew and speak properly. Bridges can also help prevent further dental problems caused by the shifting of your remaining teeth, which can lead to misalignment and other dental issues.
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge is a fixed dental restoration (a fixed dental prosthesis) used to replace one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth definitively to adjacent teeth ordental implants. It will literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
What types of bridges are there?
There are four main types of bridges, traditional (or conventional), cantilever, Maryland & implant-supported.
What is a traditional bridge?
A traditional bridge is the most popular type of dental bridge and can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth. If you have a natural tooth on each side of the gap caused by the missing tooth or teeth, then a cantilever or Maryland bridge may be used.
What is an Implant-supported dental bridge?
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants instead of crowns or frameworks. Typically, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth, and these implants hold the bridge in position.
Why do I need a dental bridge?
When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, a bridge can benefit you in many ways e.g., it can restore your smile, correct your speech, help you to chew properly & maintain the shape of your face.
How Long do Dental Bridges Last?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years. Poor oral hygiene could reduce this to between 2 and 5 years.
How much do dental bridges cost in Poland?
A traditional bridge in Poland will cost around £320 on average. In the UK, the typical price is around £700.
If you are having dental treatment in Poland, you’ll probably going to hear your dentist talk about a crown or dental cap. But what is a dental crown, how does it work & what will it cost? These are all questions we will deal with in this article.
Dental crowns are a popular dental restoration that can improve both the appearance and function of your teeth. Dental crowns are a versatile solution to a variety of dental problems, from damaged or decayed teeth to cosmetic concerns such as misshapen or discolored teeth. By covering the tooth with a custom-made cap, dental crowns can provide protection, support, and a natural-looking finish to your smile.
What is a dental crown?
A crown, sometimes known as dental cap, is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant.
Why is a dental crown needed?
Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. While inarguably beneficial to dental health, the procedure and materials can be relatively expensive.
How are dental crowns made?
The most common method of crowning a tooth involves using a dental impression of a prepared tooth by a dentist to fabricate the crown outside of the mouth. The crown can then be inserted at a subsequent dental appointment. Using this indirect method of tooth restoration allows use of strong restorative materials requiring time-consuming fabrication methods requiring intense heat, such as casting metal or firing porcelain which would not be possible to complete inside the mouth.
What are the reasons why I need a dental crown?
There are many reasons: Replace existing crowns which have failed Restore the form, function and appearance of badly broken down, worn or fractured teeth, where other simpler forms of restorations are unsuitable or have been found to fail clinically. Improve the aesthetics of unsightly teeth which cannot be managed by simpler cosmetic and restorative procedures. Maintain the structural stability and reduce the risk of fractures of extensively restored teeth including those which have been endodontically treated. Restore the visible portion of a single dental implant
What are dental crowns made from?
Crowns are either made from metal, ceramic or a mix of both. As the name suggests, full metal crowns are entirely cast in a metal alloy. There are a multitude of alloys available and the selection of a particular alloy over another depends on several factors including cost, handling, physical properties & biocompatibility. Dental ceramics or porcelains are used primarily for their aesthetic properties compared to metal restorations. These materials are generally quite brittle and prone to fracture.
How much do dental crowns cost in Poland?
A crown or onlay in Poland will cost from £300 on average compared to £795 in the UK.
What is an inlay or onlay?
Inlays and onlays are used in molars or premolars, when the tooth has experienced too much damage to support a basic filling, but not so much damage that a crown is necessary. The key comparison between them is the amount and part of the tooth that they cover. An inlay will incorporate the pits and fissures of a tooth, mainly encompassing the chewing surface between the cusps. An onlay will involve one or more cusps being covered. If all cusps and the entire surface of the tooth is covered this is, then known as a crown.
How many treatments are required for a dental crown?
Usually, two treatments are required because crowns are usually manufactured in a laboratory; however, it is possible to have this treatment in just one visit to the dentist using CAD-CAM.
What is CAD-CAM?
CAD-CAM (aka Computer Aided Design-Computer Aided Manufacture) is a fabrication method which aids the production of dental restorations e.g., crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays. It is possible for these indirect restorations to be provided in one visit.
A dental restoration or dental filling is a treatment to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure resulting from caries or external trauma as well as to the replacement of such structure supported by dental implants. This treatment is widely available in Poland. The goal of dental restoration is to improve the function and appearance of the teeth, while also maintaining good oral health.
Types of dental restoration
There are several different types of dental restoration procedures that can be performed, depending on the specific needs of the patient. Some of the most common procedures include:
Fillings: This is the most common type of dental restoration, and involves filling a cavity with a material such as composite resin, amalgam, or gold. Fillings are used to restore the function of the tooth and prevent further decay.
Crowns: A crown is a cap that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to provide support and restore its function. Crowns are typically made from porcelain or metal and can last for many years with proper care.
Bridges: A bridge is a dental appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. The appliance is anchored to the adjacent teeth with crowns, and a false tooth or teeth are attached to the bridge to fill the gap.
Implants: Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. They are surgically implanted into the jawbone and serve as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth. Once the implant is securely in place, a crown is attached to the top to provide a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.
Dentures: Dentures are removable appliances that are used to replace multiple missing teeth. They can be full or partial and are designed to fit snugly over the gums.
Regardless of the specific procedure, dental restoration is a critical aspect of maintaining good oral health. When left untreated, dental problems can worsen and lead to more serious health issues such as infections, gum disease, and tooth loss.
If you are experiencing dental issues or have missing teeth, it is important to consult with a dental professional. They can evaluate your needs and recommend the best course of action for restoring your teeth and maintaining your oral health.
In addition to professional dental care, it is also important to practice good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, as well as avoiding sugary foods and drinks that can contribute to tooth decay.
Tooth preparation
Restoring a tooth to good form and function requires two steps:
preparing the tooth for placement of restorative material or materials
placement of these materials
The process of preparation usually involves cutting the tooth with a rotary dental hand piece and dental burrs or a dental laser. This is to make space for the planned restorative materials and to remove any dental decay or portions of the tooth that are structurally unsound. If permanent restoration cannot be carried out immediately after tooth preparation, temporary restoration may be performed.
In preparing a tooth for a restoration, a number of considerations will determine the type and extent of the preparation. The most important factor to consider is decay. For the most part, the extent of the decay will define the extent of the preparation, and in turn, the subsequent method and appropriate materials for restoration.
Direct restorations
This technique involves placing a soft or malleable filling into the prepared tooth and building up the tooth. The material is then set hard, and the tooth is restored. The advantage of direct restorations is that they usually set quickly and can be placed in a single procedure. The dentist has a variety of different filling options to choose from. A decision is usually made based on the location and severity of the associated cavity. Since the material is required to set while in contact with the tooth, limited energy (heat) is passed to the tooth from the setting process.
Indirect restorations
In this technique the restoration is fabricated outside of the mouth using the dental impressions of the prepared tooth. Common indirect restorations include inlays and onlays, crowns, bridges, and veneers. Usually, a dental technician fabricates the indirect restoration from records the dentist has provided. The finished restoration is usually bonded permanently with a dental cement. It is often done in two separate visits to the dentist. Common indirect restorations are done using gold or ceramics.
While the indirect restoration is being prepared, a provisory/temporary restoration is sometimes used to cover the prepared tooth to help maintain the surrounding dental tissues.
Removable dental prostheses (mainly dentures) are sometimes considered a form of indirect dental restoration, as they are made to replace missing teeth.
Restoration using dental implants
Dental implants are anchors placed in bone, usually made from titanium or titanium alloy. They can support dental restorations which replace missing teeth. Some restorative applications include supporting crowns, bridges, or dental prostheses.
Overall, dental restoration is an essential part of maintaining good oral health and can help to improve both the function and appearance of your teeth. Whether you need a filling, a crown, an implant, or another type of dental restoration, working with a trusted dental professional can help you achieve the best possible results.
FAQs about Dental Restorations
What is Restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is the study of diagnosis of and management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures. It includes the rehabilitation of the dentition to the functional and aesthetic requirements of the patient e.g., replacing of missing or damaged teeth. Fillings, crowns, bridges and implants are common restorative solutions. The aim is to bring back your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues.
How much do fillings cost in Poland?
White fillings cost around £50 with high aesthetic fillings costing from £140. This is much cheaper than the UK (50-70%).
