Denture, Crown & Bridgework
Valplast Flexible Dentures
Emax and Zirconia Crown & Bridge
In the past, crowns and bridges were traditionally made of porcelain fused to metal (PFM). Now thanks to the development of modern all-ceramics, which are incredibly strong and natural looking, there really is no need to use PFM. And in the world of all-ceramics no-one can match the esthetics, quality, and proven track-record of Emax® from Ivoclar Vivadent.
With PFM, soft tissue around the tooth can recede, over time, revealing the metal underneath as ugly gray lines. This simply can’t happen with Emax® because they are metal-free.
Emax® all-ceramic solutions are completely tissue-friendly. The crown, bridge or veneer (laminate) integrates beautifully with its surroundings, encouraging gum to grow back up to the tooth, as it would naturally. And because they are bio-compatible, there are no allergic reactions, no sensitivity to temperature and no impact on taste.
Emax® solutions are precision-engineered in state of the art production facilities. And they fit so well you will forget they are there.
Emax® uses a unique system to subtly match your real tooth’s color and translucency so they’re almost impossible to tell apart from real teeth.
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E-Max
The E-Max crown is a type of all-ceramic crown which is preferred for its longer lasting, aesthetic qualities. This crown and the zirconia crown are worn due to their highly attractive appearance which ensures that they compliment the rest of your teeth.
It is considered a good option for damaged, stained or poor quality teeth.
What is an E-Max crown?
This is a type of all-ceramic crown with an appealing translucent colour which is combined with extra strength and durability.
This crown is made from a single block of lithium disilicate ceramic: this is a top grade material which has been harvested for its toughness, durability and opaque qualities which makes it a highly prized crown.
Plus it is considered a breakthrough in dental crown technology.
You get a glass ceramic crown which is tough and enduring but delicate in appearance.
Advantages of an E-Max crown
This crown is considered to be the best match with your own natural teeth. The transparent colour and lifelike shape ensures that it is unlikely to be noticed amongst your own natural teeth.
There is no metal alloy base with this crown which means no unsightly looking grey line around the gum line.
They are strong, long lasting and unlikely to crack or fracture as compared to many other types of crowns. They are considered to be at less risk of chipping compared to zirconia crowns.
Disadvantages of an E-Max crown
The only disadvantage is to do with the cost. A premium crown such as this which can be fitted without the need for any preparation is likely to be more expensive than other types of crowns.
They may not be suitable for everyone so check with your dentist to see if this crown is available and if it is right for you.
How is an E-Max crown fitted?
There may be some preparation involved although this depends upon the state of your teeth and the extent of work that is needed. In many cases only a small amount of tooth preparation is required.
This preparation begins with an examination of the tooth to be treated. The tooth is cleaned and then reshaped using a small drill known as a burr. The idea behind this is to improve the shape of the tooth and its condition so that it is ready for the fitting of the crown.
A small amount of your tooth is removed with the drill although this depends upon the extent of the damage. The more heavily stained the tooth the greater the amount of tooth to be removed. But if you have small teeth then you may not undergo any tooth reduction.
An impression is then taken of your teeth. This involves the use of a mould filled with dental putty which you will be asked to bite into. The impression left by your teeth is used by a dental lab as a cast which is then used in the fabrication of your E-Max crown.
The dentist will fit a temporary crown which you will wear for two to three weeks until your new crown is ready. Once it is ready then you will return to the dental surgery for the fitting.
The new crown is fitted and its colour checked against a shade chart. This chart shows a range of natural coloured teeth and the aim is for your crown to match that and fit in with your existing teeth.
It is given a final clean and polish.
Zirconia bridges
A zirconia bridge is considered a top quality type of bridge which is stronger, durable and visually appealing as compared to other types of bridges.
It is often preferred to metal ceramic bridges in that it causes less tooth sensitivity and with no sign of the dreaded grey line around the edge of the gums. For many people this is a downside of wearing a bridge.
But one way of avoiding that is to choose an all ceramic bridge such as the highly rated zirconia bridge instead.
What is a zirconia bridge?
A dental bridge is a structure in which a false tooth and two crowns are attached to a metal base which acts as a replacement for missing teeth.
The false tooth sits in the gap and is flanked by the two crowns which fit over the natural teeth on each side of the gap. In other words, it ‘bridges’ the gap in your teeth.
A zirconia bridge is different in that it is produced from Zirconium oxide – a tough form of dental ceramic which is also compatible with the body. This means that the body will not reject or react in a negative way to the bridge.
This is a problem with metal based bridges as there are people who have an allergy to the metals used in the bridge.
A zirconia bridge has a translucent appearance and is an ideal match with the rest of your teeth.
Advantages of a zirconia bridge
The main advantages are a strong, stable and great looking bridge which blends in well with the rest of your teeth. Plus the material used to fabricate this bridge is ‘biocompatible’ which means that is kind to living tissue within your body and will not cause any ill effects, e.g. an allergic reaction.
Less preparation is needed which refers to the process you undergo before the crown is fitted. Your dentist reshapes the tooth, removing a tiny sliver which enables a better fit between crown and tooth. But minimal tooth reduction is required for a zirconia crown.
Plus there is no metal base within this bridge which means no ugly looking black line at the edge of the gums which is a common feature of metal ceramic bridges. This is good news from an aesthetic point of view as many people prefer to wear a bridge whose crowns closely match the colour of their natural teeth.
Disadvantages of a zirconia bridge
The advantages of a zirconia bridge have been discussed; but are there any disadvantages of this type of bridge?
Cost is one issue as this type of bridge may be more expensive than the standard metal ceramic bridge. This means shopping around to find the most suitable (and affordable) bridge for you. But do not be guided by price alone as it is important that you choose a bridge which is best suited to your teeth.
Ceramic is a tough, long lasting material but what can happen is that the surface of the crowns becomes rough which then rubs against natural teeth. This causes them to become worn down and less effective than before.
One problem with all ceramic bridges is that they can be less resistant to stress or extra forces, e.g. biting compared to metal ceramic bridges. There is an increased risk of chipping or a fracture as a result of this although the newer varieties have a stronger inner structure.
How is a zirconia bridge fitted?
The process for this is the same as for any other type of bridge. Your dentist will assess the current state of your teeth before discussing the pros and cons of the treatment with you.
If you are considered a good candidate for a zirconia bridge then he/she will prepare your teeth for this bridge. The preparation stage is part of a two stage procedure which includes taking an impression of the affected teeth along with supporting x-rays.
It also includes what is known as ‘tooth reduction’ in which the dentist trims the affected teeth with a small drill so that it will enable the crowns to fit over the top.
These are all used in the fabrication of your zirconia bridge. They are sent to a dental laboratory that produces your bridge over a period of two to three weeks.
During this time you will be given a temporary bridge to wear. Once your new bridge has been made you will return for the fitting. Your dentist will fit the new bridge and check that it is a correct fit before cementing it in place.
He or she will then advise you about looking after your bridge.
