Restoring teeth with dental crowns and bridges

Artificial crowns and bridges are types of fixed dental prostheses – unlike partial and full dentures, which are removable.
A crown is the covering of a remaining but (severely) damaged tooth, while a bridge is the complete replacement of a missing tooth.

We will find the best restorative solution for you.

For your treatment, we always carefully and individually consider which approach is best for you. Nowadays, in suitable cases, a missing tooth is replaced with a dental implant, as this has the significant advantage that no adjacent teeth need to be ground down and incorporated into the restoration of the gap, as is the case with a bridge.
The decisive factor in determining whether you receive a crown, a bridge, or an implant is whether only the (natural) crown of the tooth or also the root, or even the entire tooth, is damaged and needs to be extracted.

Ceramic veneers, crowns and bridges from the dentist

Restoring teeth with dental crowns and bridges

Artificial crowns and bridges are types of fixed dental prostheses – unlike partial and full dentures, which are removable.
A crown is the covering of a remaining but (severely) damaged tooth, while a bridge is the complete replacement of a missing tooth.

We will find the best restorative solution for you.

For your treatment, we always carefully and individually consider which approach is best for you. Nowadays, in suitable cases, a missing tooth is replaced with a dental implant, as this has the significant advantage that no adjacent teeth need to be ground down and incorporated into the restoration of the gap, as is the case with a bridge.
The decisive factor in determining whether you receive a crown, a bridge, or an implant is whether only the (natural) crown of the tooth or also the root, or even the entire tooth, is damaged and needs to be extracted.

When are dental crowns and bridges suitable as dental prostheses?

Dental prosthetics in the form of bridges or crowns are recommended when a natural tooth is so severely damaged due to decay, accident, etc., that a “simple” filling can no longer repair the defect. Consequences of the complete loss of one or more teeth due to diseases of the tooth structure or periodontium can sometimes include:

Difficulties with chewing and articulation
Impaired stability of the dental apparatus
Potentially associated: Malocclusion and joint strain
Altered appearance

Artificial teeth are primarily used to compensate for extensive tooth damage and restore the most natural chewing function possible for the patient. Modern dental crowns are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth in color. Even teeth that have become discolored after root canal treatment can be effectively treated with a crown. Most crowns and bridges are now made of all-ceramic material, less frequently of a metal-ceramic composite.

Tooth restoration after root canal treatment with dental crown from the dentist

What is a dental crown?

The (natural) crown of a tooth is the part of the tooth that protrudes from the gum, while the root anchors the tooth in the jawbone and is usually not visible or only partially so. If only the natural crown is damaged, but not the root, the natural crown is prepared (ground down) and the artificial crown is attached to it.
If the natural crown is so badly damaged that the artificial crown would no longer have sufficient support, a post and core crown may be used. In this case, the crown is anchored in the root canal with a titanium or fiberglass post. However, this requires prior root canal treatment of the tooth.

Ceramic or metal: Which material does your dentist recommend for the crown?

A dental crown may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Besides restoring damaged teeth, it can serve as an anchor for bridges or stabilize root-canal-treated teeth. Depending on the crown’s function and the tooth it is placed on, different requirements apply.

If the crown is for a molar, for example, very high durability is particularly important. In this case, a crown with a metal core, a so-called porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (PFM), is a good option.
In contrast, the focus for visible front teeth is on aesthetics: Here, a full ceramic crown is recommended. Even if the gums recede over the years, unlike with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, there is no visible metal margin with full ceramic crowns.

Types of dental crowns at a glance

All-ceramic crown: made entirely of ceramic, such as zirconium oxide (today’s standard)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (PFM): have a core made of a special metal alloy and are veneered with ceramic (2nd choice, e.g. for grinders)
Post crowns: are anchored in the tooth with a post made of titanium or special ceramic
Telescopic crown: as connecting elements for dental prostheses
Full cast crown: metal and gold crowns (practically no longer made today)
Venecrated crown: completely or partially coated in tooth color (also outdated)

Procedure of the dental treatment for a crown

Usually two appointments are necessary to insert a dental crown. A further check-up a few weeks after placement of the artificial crown is sometimes necessary, depending on the case.

Impression/scan and provisional: Under local anaesthesia, your dentist-team removes the destroyed part of the natural tooth and frees it from deposits and caries. An impression, resp. scan is then made of the prepared tooth stump, which forms the basis for the individually made crown. The color of your teeth will also be determined at this first appointment. The dental technician then manufactures the crown in the laboratory within 1-2 weeks. During this transition period, the tooth stump is provided with a temporary crown made of plastic.
Insertion of the crown: Once the crown has been manufactured, it is inserted onto the patient’s tooth for a trial (i.e. without cement) and it is checked whether it fits correctly from an aesthetic and functional point of view. If this is the case, the artificial dental crown can then be inserted with a special dental cement. Finally, your dentist removes the cement residue and checks the bite again. If necessary, this is “ground in” to ensure an absolutely perfect fit of the crown and to prevent pressure pain when biting.

What is a dental crown?

The (natural) crown of a tooth is the part of the tooth that protrudes from the gum, while the root anchors the tooth in the jawbone and is usually not visible or only partially so. If only the natural crown is damaged, but not the root, the natural crown is prepared (ground down) and the artificial crown is attached to it.
If the natural crown is so badly damaged that the artificial crown would no longer have sufficient support, a post and core crown may be used. In this case, the crown is anchored in the root canal with a titanium or fiberglass post. However, this requires prior root canal treatment of the tooth.

Ceramic or metal: Which material does your dentist recommend for the crown?

A dental crown may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Besides restoring damaged teeth, it can serve as an anchor for bridges or stabilize root-canal-treated teeth. Depending on the crown’s function and the tooth it is placed on, different requirements apply.

If the crown is for a molar, for example, very high durability is particularly important. In this case, a crown with a metal core, a so-called porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (PFM), is a good option.
In contrast, the focus for visible front teeth is on aesthetics: Here, a full ceramic crown is recommended. Even if the gums recede over the years, unlike with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, there is no visible metal margin with full ceramic crowns.

Types of dental crowns at a glance

All-ceramic crown: made entirely of ceramic, such as zirconium oxide (today’s standard)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (PFM): have a core made of a special metal alloy and are veneered with ceramic (2nd choice, e.g. for grinders)
Post crowns: are anchored in the tooth with a post made of titanium or special ceramic
Telescopic crown: as connecting elements for dental prostheses
Full cast crown: metal and gold crowns (practically no longer made today)
Venecrated crown: completely or partially coated in tooth color (also outdated)

Procedure of the dental treatment for a crown

Usually two appointments are necessary to insert a dental crown. A further check-up a few weeks after placement of the artificial crown is sometimes necessary, depending on the case.

Impression/scan and provisional: Under local anaesthesia, your dentist-team removes the destroyed part of the natural tooth and frees it from deposits and caries. An impression, resp. scan is then made of the prepared tooth stump, which forms the basis for the individually made crown. The color of your teeth will also be determined at this first appointment. The dental technician then manufactures the crown in the laboratory within 1-2 weeks. During this transition period, the tooth stump is provided with a temporary crown made of plastic.
Insertion of the crown: Once the crown has been manufactured, it is inserted onto the patient’s tooth for a trial (i.e. without cement) and it is checked whether it fits correctly from an aesthetic and functional point of view. If this is the case, the artificial dental crown can then be inserted with a special dental cement. Finally, your dentist removes the cement residue and checks the bite again. If necessary, this is “ground in” to ensure an absolutely perfect fit of the crown and to prevent pressure pain when biting.

What is a dental bridge?

If not only the crown of the tooth is damaged, but also the tooth root and the entire tooth has to be removed, the resulting gap can be closed with a dental bridge. For this purpose, artificial crowns are applied to the teeth adjacent to the tooth gap (the so-called pillar teeth), to which the dental replacement for the missing tooth is attached as a so-called intermediate link, so that a closed row of teeth is created again.

Alternatively, instead of a bridge, a dental implant can be used, i.e. an artificial replacement of the lost tooth root. A dental crown is then attached to the implant. The advantage is that no pillar teeth are required with this type of tooth replacement.

Conventional or adhesive bridge?

While the dentist attaches a conventional bridge to the neighboring teeth (so-called pillar teeth) with dental cement using crowns, the adhesive bridge (also known as Maryland bridge) is bonded to the inside of the neighboring teeth using an adhesive. However, the stability of this variant is significantly lower than that of a conventional bridge and is therefore now mostly only used as a temporary solution.

Are there any contraindications to bridge restoration?

The following indications speak against the use of a dental bridge:

Stability and sufficient support of the pillar teeth are not guaranteed
Static unfavorable position for a dental bridge
Restrictions on the part of the patient that make it impossible to adequately care for the dental bridge

Treatment process for a dental bridge

Since each dental bridge is manufactured individually, it must be carefully planned. If necessary, an x-ray of the jaw will be taken as part of a preliminary examination to check the abutment teeth. Depending on the complexity of the bridge and the location where it is used, several sessions are necessary; usually there are two to three. The treatment process is basically the same as for the dental crown (see details there).

To what extent should I expect pain?

Generally, mild to moderate pain or sensitivity can occur after a crown procedure at the dentist, especially in the first few days after the surgery. If you experience persistent or severe pain, please visit our practice for a check-up.

Tooth replacement with dental bridge from the dentist

What is a dental bridge?

If not only the crown of the tooth is damaged, but also the tooth root and the entire tooth has to be removed, the resulting gap can be closed with a dental bridge. For this purpose, artificial crowns are applied to the teeth adjacent to the tooth gap (the so-called pillar teeth), to which the dental replacement for the missing tooth is attached as a so-called intermediate link, so that a closed row of teeth is created again.

Alternatively, instead of a bridge, a dental implant can be used, i.e. an artificial replacement of the lost tooth root. A dental crown is then attached to the implant. The advantage is that no pillar teeth are required with this type of tooth replacement.

Conventional or adhesive bridge?

While the dentist attaches a conventional bridge to the neighboring teeth (so-called pillar teeth) with dental cement using crowns, the adhesive bridge (also known as Maryland bridge) is bonded to the inside of the neighboring teeth using an adhesive. However, the stability of this variant is significantly lower than that of a conventional bridge and is therefore now mostly only used as a temporary solution.

Are there any contraindications to bridge restoration?

The following indications speak against the use of a dental bridge:

Stability and sufficient support of the pillar teeth are not guaranteed
Static unfavorable position for a dental bridge
Restrictions on the part of the patient that make it impossible to adequately care for the dental bridge

Treatment process for a dental bridge

Since each dental bridge is manufactured individually, it must be carefully planned. If necessary, an x-ray of the jaw will be taken as part of a preliminary examination to check the abutment teeth. Depending on the complexity of the bridge and the location where it is used, several sessions are necessary; usually there are two to three. The treatment process is basically the same as for the dental crown (see details there).

To what extent should I expect pain?

Generally, mild to moderate pain or sensitivity can occur after a crown procedure at the dentist, especially in the first few days after the surgery. If you experience persistent or severe pain, please visit our practice for a check-up.

Durability: Long-lasting replacement with proper care

Patients can do a lot to ensure their dental prostheses last a long time: conscientious dental care and thorough oral hygiene are essential – and this applies not only to natural teeth. Even more so: Extra care is required for dental prostheses. You can minimize the risk of plaque accumulating at the interfaces between your natural teeth and the artificial tooth (partially), which can cause cavities or gum inflammation, by cleaning these areas properly. To promote the longevity of crowns and bridges, we recommend not only daily flossing but also cleaning with special interdental brushes. Visit your dental practice in Zug for advice on how to best care for your crowns and bridges

Does health insurance in Switzerland cover the costs of a dental crown or bridge?

Since dental treatments are generally not covered by health insurance in Switzerland, patients must pay for dental crowns or bridges themselves in the vast majority of cases. If you have supplemental dental insurance, your health insurance provider can inform you about potential coverage or cost sharing. Coverage varies depending on the insurer and the individual treatment case.

Come visit us at Neustadt Passage!

Are you having problems with an old crown? Or are you looking for a competent dentists-team to replace a bridge with an implant? Contact us anytime – we’d be happy to advise you!

For a bright & healthy smile!

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Restoring teeth with dental crowns and bridges

We will find the best restorative solution for you.

Restoring teeth with dental crowns and bridges

We will find the best restorative solution for you.

When are dental crowns and bridges suitable as dental prostheses?

What is a dental crown?

What is a dental crown?

What is a dental bridge?

What is a dental bridge?

Durability: Long-lasting replacement with proper care

Does health insurance in Switzerland cover the costs of a dental crown or bridge?

Come visit us at Neustadt Passage!

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