Posterior crowns

If the destruction of a tooth is already at an advanced stage, it is usually not possible to securely attach fillings in the tooth. This is where the posterior crown comes into play.

If the entire natural tooth shape is removed, it is called a full crown; the enamel is only partially removed, by a partial crown. The transitions between solid and partial crowns as well as to the multi-surface cast fillings (inlay, onlay, overlay) are fluid.

The purpose of a crown is to protect a damaged tooth by a complete sheathing. This sheath can be made of metal, ceramic or plastic. This protection is intended to preserve the remaining, natural tooth for as long as possible.

When choosing the material, there are various possibilities:

In the posterior region, ceramic is often used, which is connected to a metal shell. This combination is robust yet aesthetically pleasing. This metal-ceramic crown is now generally regarded as the standard solution.

Ceramic mass is burned on a special metal alloy. This is a special variant of the metal-ceramic crown, the so-called electroplating crown. Instead of a cast metal alloy, a galvanized fine gold layer is used, on which the ceramic is applied.

Since the metal core is veneered with ceramic, one also speaks of a veneering crown.

Although the metal core gives the crown a high stability, it is less transparent than an all-ceramic crown. Especially in the area of the front teeth, the metal-ceramic crown can therefore optically differ from the natural neighboring teeth.
The disadvantages of the metal-ceramic crown: The edges tend to have a darker color and the cosmetic result is not as perfect  as with an all-ceramic crown.

The all-ceramic crown or jacket crown is probably the most perfect solution from an aesthetic point of view. Here, the tooth is coated exclusively with ceramic; as a result, the natural tooth color can be imitated particularly well. The light transmission (technical term translucency)  can also be designed here in the natural tooth. A metal framework is completely dispensed with. In order to achieve a high level of stability, there are various processes based on the first production of a high-strength, ceramic cap, on which the tooth shape and colour are then designed with other ceramics.

A crown can be used in the following cases:

• Replacement of a filling if there is no longer enough tooth substance to attach the filling.
• Protecting a weak tooth from breaking
• Restoration of a crack in the tooth structure
• Attaching a bridge
• Covering a dental implant
• Covering of a severely discolored or malformed tooth
• Covering a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.

Treatment steps

Cleaning but properly

The most effective measure to prevent tooth decay is brushing your teeth. However, only 20% of people brush their teeth properly. That's why proper dental care needs to be learned from childhood.

First and foremost, a good toothbrush bust is important, as well as the right toothbrushing technique, supplemented by other care products such as Floss or mouthwashes.

When brushing your teeth, make sure to brush only with light pressure, because the toothbrush is not a scrubber. In addition, you should not only clean up and down or only sideways back and forth. It is correct to brush in a circular movement from gums to tooth (from red to white) from back to front. Likewise, you should always brush the incisors in circular movements from the gums to the tooth.

The electric toothbrush facilitates proper brushing and relieves you of most brushing movements. Here it is sufficient to apply the brush head straight to the tooth and to linger for a few seconds with each tooth. By slightly bending and bending you can also reach the interdental spaces. Again, it is important to pay attention to the right pressure so that the gums are not injured. Many electric toothbrushes switch off automatically if the pressure is too high or emit a warning tone.

Another important instrument to clean the teeth optimally is the interdental brush. This is specially designed for use in the interdental spaces, which are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. It works similarly to dental floss, but the large handle makes the handling of the interdental brush much easier for most people. In a straight position, this is carefully inserted into the interdental spaces without injuring the gums and moved back and forth a few times. Then you should rinse well with water.

With all methods you should take enough time and clean thoroughly. The total effort is still only about 5 minutes – this time should be worth the health of your teeth.

Professional teeth cleaning

Despite thorough dental care, many people do not succeed in reaching all interdental spaces and niches in the oral cavity and thus removing all bacteria. With the brush and also with dental floss some places are difficult to reach. Therefore, over time, plaque will accumulate there that hardens to tartar. Therefore, you should have the "professional" cleaned once or twice a year. However, professional tooth cleaning cannot replace daily tooth brushing, but only serves as another additional measure for long-lasting oral health.

Course of treatment

Professional teeth cleaning can be carried out by your dentist or by a specially trained assistant (prophylaxis assistant or dental hygienist). Your teeth are intensively cleaned with special instruments, sound or ultrasound devices and powder blasting devices. During the treatment, the dentist will first look at your teeth. Then he or the helper will clean your teeth thoroughly. First, the mineralized plaque (tartar) above and below the gums is removed. After that, the softer plaque above and below the gums are removed. This is followed by fluoridation and polishing of all tooth surfaces. Depending on requirements, tongue cleaning is carried out or fixed or removable dentures are cleaned.

Unfortunately, the statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs of professional tooth cleaning.

Therefore, ask us directly how much the tooth cleaning costs for you.
As a rule, it will be a little more than you spend on a good restaurant visit. However, the certainty that he has done everything to enjoy a good meal for a long time without complaints should be worth it.

further information about professional teeth cleaning

Snoring problems

Who doesn't know it? You wake up in the middle of the night because your partner next to you snores as if there was no tomorrow. In most cases, this is not only annoying for oneself, but can also pose a health risk to the snorer. The snorer himself does not have a restful deep sleep and is therefore often tired, nervous and feels exhausted.

Snoring occurs in varying degrees. From the occasional snoring for colds to the loud "sawing" every night. In extreme cases, the snorer may suffer from breathing interruptions (sleep apnea syndrome).

However, there are simple measures that help in most cases to alleviate the problem:

The sleeping position:
Since the supine position leads to snoring in most people, you should avoid it and choose a lateral sleeping position.

Alcohol and medication:
In the last 3-4 hours before sleep, alcohol consumption should be avoided. This allows the muscles to relax and influences the breathing rhythm. The intake of strongly relaxing medication should be avoided as far as possible.

Overweight:
Since fat is also deposited in the throat area and thus narrows the airway and therefore promotes snoring, weight reduction is necessary in the case of severe obesity.

Closed mouth:
A "snoring bandage" fixes the lower jaw and covers the mouth.
(available in pharmacies and medical supply stores)

However, in some cases, impaired nasal breathing is the cause of snoring. Here an appropriate treatment should be carried out, e.g. in case of nasal septum curvature, inflammation of the jaw, enlarged nasal turbinates and allergies.

further information about snoring problems