Micro-prosthetics is the shortest path to a perfect smile

Dental prosthetics has long changed the perception we have of it where a tooth is shaved down and a crown is placed on top. With the daily advancement of dental treatment technologies, methods of preserving and restoring teeth have changed beyond recognition. Thanks to these advances, it is now possible to create a perfect smile with minimal intervention.

According to dentist Rūta Zykutė, modern least invasive dental prosthetics techniques help to preserve as much natural tissue as possible, which means that there is no need to be concerned about pain, tooth shaving or long healing periods.

With memories of childhood visits to the dentist fresh in their minds, people are still reluctant to make an appointment. How have dental techniques changed over the past twenty years?

In the 21^st century, dentistry is all about least invasive techniques. To this end, microscopic drills and special ultrasonic instruments are used, and the dentist works with image magnification devices (microscopes, telescopic glasses). Only damaged tissue is removed preserving as much of the healthy tissue as possible. Nowadays, dental clinics can offer patients the most modern restorative materials which have replaced the old generation of fillings. By combining the latest advances in technology and materials, we can provide patients with a perfect smile through micro-prosthetics.

Should one be scared of micro-prosthetics?

I would like to point out that the word “prosthesis” originates from Greek (pro(s)thesis: addition, connection; micro: small) and means replacing lost tissue or a part of it with some kind of artificial material that repairs functional and cosmetic defects. Many people believe that prosthodontists should only be consulted when a tooth is lost or when only the root remains, i.e. when the crown of the tooth is completely broken. However, any restoration in your mouth is called a prosthesis or micro-prosthesis depending on its size. A filling is therefore also a prosthesis which is usually made of a composite material. It has long been thought that in the course of prosthetics, the dentist shaves off a lot of tooth tissue and covers it with a crown. This belief is wrong, and the word “prosthesis” should not be feared because, with the rapid advancement in dentistry and modern technologies, dentists are able to restore damaged tooth tissue using least invasive methods.

This is an excellent alternative to dental crowns and a more reliable option than aesthetic fillings, as glass-ceramic laminates bond perfectly with healthy tooth tissue, do not accumulate plaque, which reduces the development of secondary decay, and are less prone to wear.

When should one choose this method of tooth restoration?

If a tooth is decayed, chipped, worn down or a large or medium-sized filling has fallen out and there is little healthy hard tooth tissue left, we can restore the lost function and anatomy with the help of micro-prosthetics by making onlays, inlays or laminates. All of these structures are cemented onto the surface of the tooth with minimal shaving. This type of restoration is a new approach to tooth restoration and longevity.

With age, teeth wear down and their surfaces erode, causing changes in the bite, which becomes irregular and sunken, and this further promotes tooth wear as the enamel layer erodes and the sensitive dentine is exposed. When replacing molars with micro-prostheses, the entire anatomical structure of the tooth is restored, including the grooves and cusps, which are very important for high-quality chewing and proper bite. This treatment method allows the lost tooth structure to be restored without damaging the remaining healthy tooth tissue or affecting the adjacent teeth. These restorations, i.e. micro-prostheses, are fabricated in a laboratory from aesthetic and extremely strong glass ceramics. Their resistance is 400 MPa.

When should one choose inlays/onlays, and when should one choose laminates?

Inlays and onlays are tooth restorations designed to restore the surface or part of a side tooth and protect the remaining weak structures of the tooth from possible decay. Laminates are used to restore defects in the front teeth. These are micro-prostheses that are used to precisely restore the shape, colour and anatomical structure of the tooth.

Can laminates be used to create a beautiful smile?

With laminates, it is definitely possible to create a perfect smile. By individually selecting the colour and shape of the teeth, it is possible to restore all the natural structures of the teeth. For patients who are dissatisfied with the shape or position of their teeth, who want to improve or restore their own teeth that have changed colour or started to decay, or who are unhappy with wide gaps between their teeth, or who want to remove the effects of dental trauma, to repair cracks, renew old restorations, or simply want a “Hollywood” smile, tooth-friendly, least invasive, aesthetic prosthetics with laminates can help achieve the desired result.

Does restoration with laminates require extensive shaving of the natural tooth structure?

Laminates are extremely thin (0.3 to 0.5 mm thick) glass-ceramic plates that absorb, reflect and transmit light in the same way as natural teeth. This method of tooth restoration is extremely gentle on tooth tissue. If a tooth is damaged by decay or an old infected filling, only the decayed tissue or old filling is removed, and sometimes the tooth does not even need to be prepared with a drill.

This is an excellent alternative to dental crowns and a more reliable option than aesthetic fillings as glass-ceramic laminates bond perfectly with healthy tooth tissue, do not accumulate plaque, which reduces the development of secondary decay, and are less prone to wear. Their composition is very similar to real tooth enamel, so neither their shine nor colour changes. These laminates are well tolerated by the body, and soft tissues, gums and papillae, adhere perfectly to the surface of the natural tooth.

Is tooth restoration with laminates a painful treatment?

Both the preparation of the tooth and the application of the laminates can be performed under local anaesthesia. There is no need to feel anxious, instead, focus on the excellent results and the desire to smile again.

If a tooth is decayed, chipped, worn down, or has a large or medium-sized filling and there is little healthy hard tissue left, we can restore the lost function and anatomy with micro-prosthetics by making onlays, inlays or laminates.

Is it possible to restore front teeth with glass-ceramic micro-prostheses if they were previously covered with old metal-ceramic prostheses?

Only after removing the old restorations can the dentist assess the colour and condition of the tooth tissue underneath. Sometimes, after certain treatments, such as intra-canal tooth root bleaching, it is possible to restore these teeth with metal-free ceramic micro-prostheses.

How many teeth can be restored during one appointment?

Depending on individual wishes and needs, micro-prosthetics can be used to restore a single tooth or all upper or lower teeth, and the duration of treatment depends on each individual case.

Is micro-prosthetics with laminates, onlays and inlays expensive?

These high-quality micro-prostheses require a lot of consistent preparation and meticulous work, it is therefore very important to discuss the cost of treatment and your expectations with your dentist before starting treatment. In any case, this is not a low-cost service but rather an investment in your beauty and health for many years to come.