Dental Prosthetics: Crowns, Bridges and Dentures

Frequently asked questions

• Zirconia, metal-ceramic or all-ceramic crown — which should you choose? +

  Ceramic crowns look the most natural — they reflect light in the same way as natural teeth, which makes them ideal for front teeth. Metal-ceramic crowns are more hard-wearing and more affordable — a good choice for the back teeth. Zirconia crowns combine both qualities — they are strong and aesthetic at the same time, they do not lose their appearance over the years, they sit closely against the gums and they do not cause allergies. The dentist gives a specific recommendation after an examination, taking into account the position of the tooth and the patient's own preferences.

• How long do you have to wait after an implant before a crown can be fitted? +

  After an implant has been placed, you normally need to wait 4–6 months while it fully integrates with the jawbone. Once the dentist has confirmed that integration has been successful, an impression is taken and the permanent crown or bridge is made in the laboratory. For prosthetics on implants, our clinic most often uses zirconia and ceramic constructions.

• How many appointments are needed to make a denture? +

  As a rule, 2–4 appointments are needed. At the first appointment the dentist assesses the situation and takes an impression, which is sent to the laboratory. At the following appointments the denture is tried in and adjusted where necessary. With removable dentures the process may take a little longer, depending on the individual situation.

• How do you look after a denture properly at home? +

  A removable denture should be taken out at night — this lets the oral mucosa rest and reduces the risk of bacteria building up. Clean the denture with a toothbrush outside the mouth; special denture brushes and pastes can be used. Disinfecting tablets dissolved in water are also recommended. Once the denture is out, clean the mouth itself thoroughly as well — even if none of your own teeth remain.

• How much does a dental crown cost in Riga? +

  At the We Care clinic, dental crown prices start from €400 (composite crown) and go up to €950 (IPS e.max crown on an implant with an individual zirconia abutment). A zirconia crown on an implant costs from €800. A temporary plastic crown, used while treatment is under way, is available from €75. The exact price is set after an examination — it depends on the material, the position of the tooth and whether the crown is placed on a natural tooth or on an implant.

• What is the difference between a dental bridge and an implant? +

  A dental bridge replaces the missing tooth, but it has to rest on the adjacent teeth — these are ground down and lose some of their own natural tissue. An implant, by contrast, is placed directly into the jawbone and leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. On top of that, an implant preserves the jawbone and prevents it from resorbing. That is precisely why we primarily recommend an implant as the more worthwhile long-term solution — provided the clinical situation allows it.

• Why is precise implant placement so important for prosthetics? +

  Successful prosthetics begin not in the prosthetics surgery but at the implant planning stage. The implant has to sit in exactly the right position, at the right depth and at the right angle — only then will the crown or bridge sit naturally, look aesthetic and function fully. If the implant is placed incorrectly, the prosthesis may be uncomfortable, hard to keep clean or even give an aesthetically unsatisfactory result. That is why our clinic carries out 3D diagnostics before every implant placement and plans the implant position carefully, modelling the end result in advance — first we plan the prosthesis, then we determine where the implant goes.