Crowns and bridges
Crowns and bridges are custom-made restorations used to rebuild extensively damaged teeth or replace one or more missing teeth, restoring function, stability, and a natural appearance.
A crown covers and protects a weakened tooth, while a bridge replaces a missing tooth by connecting the replacement tooth to neighbouring teeth. Each restoration is individually designed according to the condition of the teeth, the bite, the surrounding tissues, and the patient’s functional and aesthetic expectations.
Whenever possible, treatment is planned according to a minimally invasive approach, preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible and considering more conservative alternatives before recommending a full crown.
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Common questions about crowns and bridges
01
What is a dental crown and when is it recommended?
A dental crown is an individually designed restoration that covers the visible part of a damaged or weakened tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, function, and appearance while protecting the remaining dental structure.
A crown may be recommended when a tooth has been extensively weakened by a large restoration, fracture, extensive decay, severe wear, or previous root canal treatment.
However, a full crown is not always necessary. When sufficient healthy tooth structure remains, more conservative solutions, such as partial crowns or veneers, may be considered.
02
What is a dental bridge and when is it recommended?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. The replacement tooth or teeth are connected to neighbouring teeth, which provide support for the restoration.
A bridge may be considered when one or more teeth are missing and the neighbouring teeth can provide adequate support.
It may be particularly appropriate when the adjacent teeth already have extensive restorations or crowns which may require replacement. In other situations, a dental implant may allow the missing tooth to be replaced without intervention in the neighbouring teeth.
03
Which materials are crowns and bridges made from?
Modern all-ceramic materials, such as zirconia and lithium disilicate, combine strength with a highly natural appearance and are frequently used for both anterior and posterior teeth.
The material is chosen individually according to the condition of the supporting teeth, the bite, the number and position of the teeth being restored, and the patient’s aesthetic expectations.
04
Do crowns and bridges look natural?
Modern ceramic materials allow crowns and bridges to reproduce the colour, translucency, shape, texture, and surface characteristics of natural teeth.
Careful clinical and laboratory planning is essential to ensure that the restoration integrates harmoniously with the surrounding teeth, gums, smile, and facial features.
We are proud to collaborate closely with some of the most talented dental technicians and ceramists in Switzerland, who are widely recognised internationally.
05
Does a tooth need root canal treatment before receiving a crown?
Not necessarily. A tooth does not routinely require root canal treatment before being crowned.
Root canal treatment is only indicated when the dental pulp is irreversibly inflamed, infected, or already non-vital. Preserving the vitality of the tooth is preferred whenever clinically possible.
