Prosthodontics

Laminate veneers are used when patients ask for a Hollywood Smile, and tell us that they want a brighter and more aesthetic result. Zirconia crowns, on the other hand, are not only for looks — on a case by case basis, they are also used as part of a treatment. For example, if you need a root canal or an implant, we often place a zirconia crown on top to protect the root canal and complete the treatment with a functioning tooth. Others like veneers or composites, are mostly chosen for aesthetic reasons only.

The main difference between veneers and crowns is in how much of the tooth is prepared. For a laminate veneer, only a very thin layer from the front surface of the tooth (about 0.3 mm) is gently shaved to make room to attach the restoration onto this area. For a crown, more of the tooth is reshaped — it’s reduced all around, leaving the root and a smaller part of the natural tooth underneath, and then the zirconia crown is placed on top.

Zirconia is the strongest material and can be placed anywhere in the mouth, front or back. Veneers are more for patients who mainly want an aesthetic improvement in the front teeth. Composite, on the other hand, is usually used as a tooth filling material; it can stain or chip within 1–2 years, which is why we don’t recommend it for full smile makeovers

A bridge is a tooth restoration that which is supported by the neighbor tooth, typically located to the left and right side of the restored tooth. Bridges can be made traditionally using 3 teeth. They may also be made with 4 teeth according to the case and position.

The important thing to consider when your dentist decides whether to use a bridge is the tooth root’s condition and the treatment area. If there’s a few root canal treated teeth in the area, a bridge is preferred to compensate for the compromised roots. If the frontal area is missing teeth, bridges are utilized to achieve the restoration. This is due to the fact that the bone tissue and the roots around the frontal area is much more fragile than the area at the back with chewing (molar) teeth.

Individual restorations can be done but all treatments are always picked for a case by case basis. This is to apply the best treatment possible according to the patient’s current oral and dental health condition.

Yes, you will have a chance to choose your tooth color before the treatment is finalized. We usually tell patients to stay for 7–10 days to take care of this process and decide without rushing, during which you’ll be shown a color chart to help you pick the shade that best matches your skin tone and personal preference.

One important thing to know is this: if the chosen color feels too white or too bright after placement, we can send it back to the lab to make it a little darker later. But if you choose a shade that isn’t white enough, it cannot be lightened further afterwards — that is unfortunately not possible.

That’s why it’s very important to discuss openly with your dentist during the process, so together we can choose the color that will make you happiest and satisfy your expectations.

All-on-6 prostheses are generally made from durable materials such as porcelain or zirconia, which provide both aesthetics and long-term strength.

Resin, acrylic, or plastic materials are usually used only for temporary prostheses.

The most suitable material for your permanent prosthesis will be determined after a detailed examination at our clinic. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.

If you experience a fracture or crack in your All-on-6 prosthesis, it is important to visit our clinic as soon as possible.

Repair or replacement, if necessary, will be carried out by our specialist dentists. Please avoid attempting any self-repair, as this could damage both the implants and your gums.

For more information or to schedule an urgent appointment, you can contact us directly.

We utilize the latest technologies and treatment protocols available in dentistry.

Regarding dental prostheses, Ivoclar (Swiss) brand is used veneers meanwhile Amman-Girrbach brand is preferred for all on 4/6 treatments over implants.

Veneers (laminates) are very thin and they are made from porcelain. Because they are more fragile, they are usually recommended to be utilized on the “smile line” — the 20 teeth that show when you smile. Zirconia crowns, on the other hand, are much stronger material, so they can be placed on all teeth in the mouth, including the chewing teeth in the back area and also on implants.

The way teeth are prepared for each treatment type is also different. For zirconia crowns, the tooth is reduced all around so it becomes smaller, and the crown covers it completely.

For veneers, since they are used for smile design and aesthetics expectations, we remove only a very small amount from the front surface of the teeth — usually about 0.2 to 0.5 mm. This way, most of your natural tooth stays untouched.

Veneers are mainly for the front teeth and require minimal shaving (preparation), while zirconia crowns are stronger, cover the whole tooth, and can also be used on back teeth

The lifespan of your crowns really depends on how well you take care of your teeth. Remember, beneath every crown there is still your natural tooth, no matter its size and shape. If you brush at least twice a day, visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning, your crowns can easily last 20–25 years.

Some patients have even kept their crowns for 30 years. However, most dentists recommend replacing them about every 15 years. This isn’t always because the crown fails, it's because we can safely remove it, check the tooth underneath for any decay or gum problems, and then refresh the crown if needed.

Yes, with good care, crowns can last decades — but regular check-ups are the key to making sure they stay healthy in your mouth for the long term

Yes, with good care, crowns can last decades — but regular check-ups are the key to making sure they stay healthy in your mouth for the long term.

A tooth that has been cut down for a crown is considered more fragile than a completely natural tooth. That’s why, if there’s no real problem with the root, no cracks, or no decay, most good dentists prefer to leave a natural tooth untouched unless there’s a strong reason — such as color, shape, or smile design.

There is a slightly higher risk of decay, cracks, or other issues in a crowned tooth compared to a natural one. However, the real concern is the tooth underneath the crown. If the crown wasn’t made properly and allows food or bacteria to get trapped, or if oral hygiene is not good, decay or infection can develop under it.

The good news is: if your crowns are done by an experienced dentist and you take proper care — brushing daily, keeping regular check-ups, and maintaining good oral hygiene — the chance of decay under a crown is very low. Crowns don’t automatically mean more decay. However, it requires proper dental work and good care at home, the risk is very low.

E-Max crowns are made entirely from porcelain. Unlike zirconia or metal-supported crowns, which have a strong inner structure, E-Max has no extra support inside — it is all porcelain from top to bottom. This makes it look very natural and beautiful, but the trade-off is it's also a bit more fragile compared to zirconia.

Because of this, E-Max is not strong enough to support a bridge (which connects several teeth together). If it were used as a bridge, it could easily crack during chewing motion and biting force.

That said, E-Max crowns can still be used on back teeth or even on implants, but only as single crowns — not connected as a bridge. They are most commonly chosen for the “smile line” (the front teeth you see when you smile), where appearance matters most and the bite pressure is lighter.

Back teeth literally do most of the heavy lifting when you chew, so they need a much stronger material to handle the pressure. Zirconia is very strong, which makes it much less likely to crack or break in the chewing area.

Veneers, on the other hand, are very thin and only cover the front surface of the tooth. While they look beautiful, they are not designed to handle strong bite forces. So if they were to be placed on back teeth, they could easily break after just a few bites.

That’s why veneers are used mainly for front teeth, where the focus is on aesthetics, while zirconia is preferred for the back teeth, where strength and durability are most important.

For implants, zirconia is generally the stronger and safer choice. It is very durable, making it ideal for the back chewing teeth as well as for full-mouth restorations. Zirconia can handle the high pressure of biting and chewing without problems.

E-Max crowns, on the other hand, are made fully from porcelain and provide a more natural, lifelike appearance. That’s why they are usually recommended for the front teeth, especially when only 1–2 implants are placed in the smile line. They still function well on implants and won’t break easily there, but they are not advised for the back teeth where chewing force is much stronger.

Zirconia works everywhere in the mouth and is the most reliable option for implant crowns, while E-Max is sometimes chosen for the front teeth when the patient wants the most natural-looking smile

For crowns, some preparation is always required — the tooth needs to be reshaped so the crown can fully cover and protect it. With veneers, the preparation is much lighter. Only a very thin layer (around 0.3 mm) is gently shaved from the front surface of the tooth, which keeps most of your natural tooth intact.

There is also a special option called prepless veneers, also known as Lumineers. In this treatment, no shaving or preparation is done at all. However, not everyone is a candidate — your bite, tooth shape, and surface must be suitable. If everything matches well, this can be a good choice for patients who want a smile makeover without any tooth reduction.

Crowns always require preparation, veneers require very minimal shaving, and in certain cases, prepless veneers can be done with no shaving at all.

Yes, absolutely. During smile design, we show you a simulation of your new teeth before they are actually made. With a “mock-up” model, you can see both the color and the shape of your future teeth, and even how they will look inside your mouth. Once you approve the mock-up, the final teeth are produced according to your choice.

One important note: after your restorations are made, they cannot be lightened further, but they can be adjusted to a slightly darker shade if needed. That’s why we discuss all details with you beforehand and take your feedback seriously, so the final result matches exactly what you want.

In short: yes, you’ll see a preview of your new smile before treatment — and you’ll have a chance to approve the look before the final teeth are made.