Dental Prosthetics / Implantology
Improving Existing Teeth
If a tooth is damaged and cannot be preserved in the long term using conventional fillings, it needs to be crowned. A crown can be quickly inserted, and thanks to modern high quality ceramics, provides a durable and aesthetically and functionally superior result when compared to conventional crowns.
Alternatives to Full Ceramic Crowns
Full ceramic crowns provide an aesthetically better result to the conventional gold or metal-ceramic crowns. With a conventional metal-ceramic crown, it is difficult to achieve a similarly natural result.
Metal-ceramic Crowns
These are the familiar well tried and tested crowns which have been used for over 20 years and are characterised by their durabilityGold Crowns
Gold crowns are used in special cases at the patient’s request. Although not as aesthetically pleasing, they fit very precisely and last a long time.
Dental Prosthetics / Implantology
Missing Single Teeth
If a tooth and its roots are damaged, a dental implant using a crown provides the best permanent solution. This is especially true in cases where the neighbouring teeth are cavity free and healthy, because in creating a ‘dental bridge’ it would be necessary to abrade these healthy teeth. Dental implants come closest to real teeth in terms of both, appearance and function.
Insertion of the ‘New Tooth’ – Treatment Procedure:
The pre-surgery preparation consists of a thorough examination, followed by a 3 D X-Ray (Digital Volume Tomogram = DVT) of the area. This X-Ray data is inputted into a special software program which enables the exact position of the implant to be predicted for pre-operative planning.
1. Insertion of the Implant
The implant is navigated to the exact millimetre based on the X-ray data by using a special template (NobelGuide™). At the same time a temporary ‘tooth’ is attached to which normal pressure can be applied a few days after surgery. Before the next step in the procedure, the implant needs a few months to fuse with the jaw bone.
2. Placement of the Final Crown
The final step involves insertion of the permanent crown. No further treatment is needed following this.
3. Final Result
You can rest assured that the ‘new tooth’ fits in perfectly with the other teeth and can be stressed in the same way as a real tooth. Good oral hygiene and dental care protects the final crown and its surrounding gum and keeps it healthy and vital.
Dental Prosthetics / Implantology
A Fixed Bridge on Implants
Fixed bridges are where dental implants anchor the bridge at either end, and provides the only stable replacement for three missing back teeth. Conventional prosthetics cannot compare with fixed bridges in terms of the stability and function that can be attained. By replacing lost back teeth with dental implants a previously unprecedented degree of stability and strength was reached. Because of the firm fit the patient can eat without any restrictions and their jaw bone, physiognomy and facial features remain unchanged.
Insertion of the Fixed Bridge – Treatment Procedure:
After the initial examination, four to five further sessions are needed before the final bridge is inserted. Minor bruising and swelling of the gums and soft tissues are to be expected after the insertion of the implants. Normally any occurring pain is treated with pain killers commonly used in the practice. However, about a day after the insertion of the implant, you should already be able to get back to your daily routine.
Dental Prosthetics / Implantology
Complete Tooth Loss
Before the development of dental implants (approximately 40 years ago), there was no fixed
tooth solution for patients who had lost all their teeth. However, today it is
possible, through using implants and fixed bridges, to replace the teeth and
provide a permanent, stable and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Complete tooth loss – Treatment Procedure
The approach taken to the treatment and number of sessions, largely depends on the structure and composition of the jaw. By using the modern techniques in aesthetic dentistry, the whole procedure can be reduced to a few sessions. Computer aided planning allows us to place the implant to the exact millimetre, whereas with conventional methods, 8-10 treatment sessions can be necessary. Most patients report that they feel much better after the treatment than they had expected to feel.
Function Analysis and Function Therapy
Jaw joint diseases (TMJ diseases) – Dysfunctional Chewing and ‘CMD’
‘CMD’ is another arm of modern dentistry which is concerned with diagnosing chewing problems. Dentists classify these problems under the general term ‘Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction’ (CMD). We specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems which can be identified by the following signs and habits:
1. Teeth grinding and gnashing during the night and/or when tense
2. 2. Cracks in the enamel of the front teeth or obvious fraying of the incisor edges
3. The breaking off of tooth
fragments where the base meets the gums, or peripheral parts of fillings,
veneers and crowns.
4. Pain felt in the head and face area (in the cheeks and temples, typically moderate to strong but recurring in the same places)
5. Cracking noises in the jaw
joint (especially when they cause physical impairment)
6. Irregular and asymmetrical
lower-jaw movement
7. Being generally restricted when
opening and closing one’s mouth
Taken all together, these disorders are loosely termed ‘jaw joint disorders’. These disorders are some of the most common problems in dentistry, along with cavities and periodontics. Actually these disorders are one of the most common causes of cavities and periodontic diseases. Unlike cavities and the periodontium, the symptoms indicating chewing dysfunction are only recognised late in their development. In general these symptoms are recognised too late and subsequently only treated in cases where significant functional limitations or even pain are already present. This illustrates the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and treatment which involves an orthopaedic specialist working in conjunction with a physiotherapist or osteopath.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Freiburg
Dental Prosthetics / Implantology
If you are seeking effective pain treatment or aesthetic dentistry, our experienced and specially trained staff are here to help you.