Sometimes a tooth is too damaged for a filling, but the root is still healthy. In that case, we restore it with an inlay, a crown, or a bridge. Which one fits depends on how much of the tooth remains. We remove as little healthy tissue as possible. At naiida Tandartsen, we discuss together which option suits you best.
An inlay fills a cavity between the cusps of a molar. An onlay also covers one or more cusps. We have them made outside your mouth from composite, porcelain, or ceramic. Then we place them with precision.
The advantage: stronger and more durable than a large filling, but more conservative than a crown. Less healthy tooth tissue needs to be removed. This way, you keep as much of your own tooth as possible.
A crown encloses the entire visible tooth. This provides strength to a tooth that is weakened, for example after a large filling or a root canal treatment.
We make crowns from all-ceramic or zirconia. Both are metal-free. Ceramic looks natural, while zirconia is extra strong.
How it works: we grind the tooth down to a stump. Then we take an impression, either digital or using impression material. The dental lab makes the crown. After about two weeks, we place the final crown. In the meantime, you wear a temporary one.
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. It rests on the adjacent teeth. Those neighboring teeth are fitted with crowns, and the missing tooth hangs in between.
A bridge therefore requires us to grind healthy adjacent teeth. That is why we always discuss whether a implant is an alternative. An implant replaces the tooth itself and preserves your neighboring teeth. We offer implants in collaboration with a specialized implantologist.
Which one suits you? That depends on how much tooth you have left and what you want. This table compares the three.
When
Tooth too damaged for a filling, root still healthy
tooth severely weakened or after a root canal treatment
one or more teeth are missing
How much tooth remains
the most, conservative
less, the tooth is ground down to a stump
The neighboring teeth are being sharpened
Material
composite, porcelain or ceramic
all ceramic or zirconia, metal-free
ceramics or zirconia
Made true
outside the mouth, in the lab
In the lab, about two weeks
in the lab
In all cases, we choose the option that saves the most of your own tooth. We discuss the pros and cons, durability, and costs before you decide. We do not guarantee the result, but we do provide honest information. You can find the costs on the rates page.
We apply a filling to your tooth in layers. We have an inlay made outside your mouth from composite, porcelain, or ceramic. We then place it. For larger cavities, an inlay is stronger and more durable. However, it is more conservative than a crown. At naiida Tandartsen, we discuss together what suits you best.
Usually about two weeks. At the first appointment, we prepare the tooth and take an impression. The dental lab then makes your crown. In the meantime, you wear a temporary crown so that you can eat and talk normally. At the second appointment, we place the permanent crown.
That varies depending on the situation. A bridge rests on your adjacent teeth, which we need to grind down for this purpose. An implant stands on its own and preserves those teeth. However, an implant does require a minor procedure on the bone. We will discuss the pros and cons together, without guaranteeing an outcome. You can read more on the page about implants.
Yes. We work with all-ceramic and zirconia, without a metal backing. We make inlays from composite, porcelain, or ceramic. Metal-free looks more natural and suits people who consciously choose what goes into their mouths. Do you have a known sensitivity? Tell us, and we will find a suitable material together. You can read more about this at materials that suit you.
Often yes. A tooth that a root canal treatment The tooth is more brittle than before. A crown encloses the tooth and protects it against breakage. Whether it is really necessary depends on how much healthy tooth remains. We will examine it together and explain our advice.
Written and medically reviewed by Naouel Alberga, dentist and owner of Naiida Tandartsen.
