Prosthetics
Harmonious Smiles and Better Function with Prosthetics
Prosthetic treatments are often essential for improving a patient’s ability to chew and speak, as well as for creating a harmonious smile. At Vaasa Smiles, we offer a range of prosthetic solutions depending on your individual needs.
Individual Prosthetic Solutions for Every Need
- Crowns – We use dental crowns to cover and strengthen a weakened tooth that has been damaged due to decay, cracks, or trauma. Crowns can also be used to enhance the appearance of a tooth.
- Bridges – A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth and is attached to the healthy adjacent teeth for stability. This method is a great alternative when you want a fixed replacement without implants.
- Dental Implants – For a permanent replacement of missing teeth, we offer dental implants that function as artificial tooth roots. Implants are particularly durable and can support both crowns and bridges.
- Dentures – We offer both partial and full dentures for patients who need a flexible and removable solution. Dentures are used when several teeth are missing or when an entire set of teeth needs to be replaced.
- Veneers – To improve the aesthetics of your teeth, we offer veneers, thin porcelain shells that are attached to the tooth surface to cover discolorations, irregularities, or cracks.
- Bite Rehabilitation – For patients requiring more extensive dental improvements and bite rehabilitation, we combine different prosthetic solutions to create a stable and functional bite structure.
At Vaasa Smiles, we work to create durable and aesthetically pleasing solutions for our patients, always taking their specific needs and wishes into account.
Dental crowns can be made from several different materials, depending on your needs and preferences:
- Porcelain – All-ceramic crowns are made entirely of dental porcelain and provide a very natural appearance, making them popular for front teeth. They are both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
- Porcelain fused to metal – These crowns have a metal core covered by a porcelain layer to match the natural color of your tooth. This combination makes them strong and suitable for both front and back teeth.
- Zirconia – Zirconia is a very strong and biocompatible material that closely resembles natural tooth tissue in appearance and durability. Zirconia crowns are especially suitable for back teeth where greater strength is needed.
At Vaasa Smiles, we primarily offer crowns made of durable dental porcelain for a natural appearance and great durability.
Yes, we can also create veneers and, in some cases, smaller crowns using composite materials. The main differences between porcelain and composite are in the material’s durability, aesthetics, and maintenance.
- Composite – Composite is often used for smaller veneers. It’s a flexible and cost-effective material that can be applied directly to the tooth in a single appointment. However, composite may require more maintenance because it’s less resistant to staining and wear. During dental check-ups, all types of fillings are checked and polished if needed. Sometimes, a composite crown may need to be partially or completely redone.
- Porcelain – Porcelain is used for both crowns and veneers, offering a more natural and durable result. Porcelain crowns and veneers are crafted in a laboratory to ensure an exact fit and long-lasting quality. They are more resistant to staining and can last significantly longer than composite.
Depending on your needs and preferences, we can help you choose the material that’s best for you.
A porcelain crown, dental bridge, or implant is designed to be a permanent solution, but their durability can vary depending on the material, maintenance, and individual factors.
- Porcelain crowns and dental bridges typically last at least 10-15 years, but with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, they can last much longer—sometimes even a lifetime. Porcelain is very durable but can wear down over time, especially if you grind your teeth or put a lot of pressure on them.
- Implants are generally a long-term solution that can last 20 years or more, sometimes a lifetime. The implant screw itself, which is anchored in the jawbone, is extremely durable, while the crown or bridge on top may need to be replaced if it becomes worn.
Regular dental care and good oral hygiene are key to extending the lifespan of these treatments.