Fixed Prosthodontics (Including Crowns & Bridge)

Fixed Prosthodontics

Fixed prosthodontics is a term used to describe dental prosthetics which are bonded in place. This can apply to fillings, but in most definitions only apply to indirect (made outside of the mouth, usually by a dental laboratory), such as crowns and/or bridges. These forms of treatment are stronger than fillings and can provide a better cosmetic outcome as well. At Robertson Dental Innovations we provide a wide range of fixed prosthodontics from individual crowns up to full mouth restorations.


 

All of our crown and bridgework is made in Australia by quality and reputable dental labs. We do not send work overseas.


 

Crowns

Dental Crowns are sometimes erroneously called dental caps, are a partial artificial tooth, which is placed around the real tooth. The crown adds strength to the underlining real tooth, and because at least part of the original tooth is retained, crowning a tooth is still often a stronger/better option than removing the tooth and replacing it.

Dental Crown

Crown Types

Crowns are typically made of a dental ceramic which can be shade matched to the teeth either side of the crown and in most cases isn’t discernible from “real” teeth. At Robertson Dental Innovations we provide a variety of crowns including:

  • Porcelain Crowns:- These crowns are made from 100% dental porcelain and contain no metal. Made possible by the latest material sciences, producing e-max and zirconia porcelains, these crowns are milled to fit from a single block of porcelain.
  • Veneered Metal Crowns (also known as Porcelain fused/bonded to Metal (PFM) Crowns):- These crowns have a metal core (which sits on the tooth), surrounded by a shade matched dental porcelain. The metal is shaped to fit the tooth and then bonded to the fabricated porcelain. Until the advent of e-max and zirconia type porcelains these crowns were some of the strongest available.
  • Gold Crowns:- Using precious or non-precious gold alloys to make dental crowns has many advantages. As gold is inert it is very safe to have in the mouth (it can even be eaten), and the alloy can be shaped easily. However the biggest disadvantage is that gold crowns are gold coloured not tooth coloured.
  • Implant Crowns:- At Robertson Dental Innovations we also provide crowns for implants/ For more information see our services or Implants & Oral Surgery pages.
  • Immediate Pediatric Metal Crowns:- Occasionally due to trauma, underlying dental conditions or poor oral health children need to have crowns placed on their deciduous (“baby”) teeth. In these circumstances there is little point in fabricating a normal crown for a tooth which will fall out eventually. A cheaper preformed metal (stainless steel) crown is used which is only designed to last for a few years until the tooth falls out.

Occasionally the tooth underlining a crown is too weak to support it. In these cases the dentist will place a pin, post and/or a core. Cores are usually made of a filling material and a used to bulk-up and strengthen the base of the tooth. Post and pins are made from metal or fibre and are used like supports for the crown.

Crown Treatment Outline

Crown treatments typically follow the following outline:-

  1. Consultation:- The first appointment would be a consultation with the dentist. At this appointment the various treatment options (such as crown type) will be discussed. An overall treatment plan (with costs) will be provided at the end of this appointment. This consult can be done as a part of a regular 6monthly exam.
  2. Crown Preparation:- At this appointment the teeth are prepared for the crown, this can involve shaping the remaining tooth to enable the crown placement. Impressions will also be taken to be sent to the lab for them to fabricate the crown. A shade will also be taken to match the teeth either side of the crown so the crown does not look out of place. A temporary crown is then placed over the prepared tooth. This temp crown is made of standard filling material and is designed to last until the crown can be placed.
  3. Fitting Crown:-The temporary crown is removed and the crown is then bonded onto the tooth. The crown is then complete and will be almost as strong as natural undamaged tooth enamel.

It is important to note that each case is different and the above is a very basic outline to crown work.

Unlike other dental practices, Robertson Dental Innovations does not send patients down to Melbourne to match shades for crowns or other lab work. Our Dentists are well trained and are able to select the correct shade at the preparation appointment. Photos are also used to assist with matching shades in some cases.

 


Inlays & Onlays

Dental Inlays and Onlays are best described as partial dental crowns. Whereas a crown will cover the whole tooth, an Inlay or Onlay will only cover part of a tooth. If only the inside/top of the tooth is covered it is called an Inlay, if any of the outside/sides of the tooth is covered it is called an Onlay.

The advantage of an inlay or onlay over a crown is less tooth has to be prepared and less natural tooth is therefore lost.

Inlay/Onlays Types

As Inlays/Onlays are partial crowns, they are made of the same materials as crowns such as:

  • Porcelain Inlays/Onlays:- These inlay/onlays are made from 100% dental porcelain and contain no metal. Made possible by the latest material sciences, producing e-max and zirconia porcelains, these crowns are milled to fit from a single block of porcelain.
  • Veneered Metal Inlays/Onlays (also known as Porcelain fused/bonded to Metal (PFM) Inlays/Onlays):- These inlays/onlays have a metal core (which sits on the tooth), surrounded by a shaded match dental porcelain. The metal is shaped to fit the tooth and then bonded to the fabricated porcelain. Until the advent of e-max and zirconia type porcelains these inlay/onlays were some of the strongest available.
  • Gold Crowns:- Using precious or non-precious gold alloys to make dental crowns has many advantages. As gold is inert it is very safe to have in the mouth (it can even be eaten), and the alloy can be shaped easily. However the biggest disadvantage is that gold crowns are gold coloured not tooth coloured.

Like crowns, non-gold inlay and onlays are shade matched to the teeth they are placed on, making it difficult to see a difference in the tooth where the inlay/onlay is placed.

Inlay/Onlay Treatment Outline

Inlay/Onlay treatments typically follow the following outline:-

  1. Consultation:- The first appointment would be a consultation with the dentist. At this appointment the various treatment options (such as crown vs inlay/onlay) will be discussed. An overall treatment plan (with costs) will be provided at the end of this appointment. This consult can be done as a part of a regular 6monthly exam.
  2. Inlay/Onlay Preparation:- At this appointment the teeth are prepared for the inlay/onlay, this can involve shaping the remaining area on the tooth, to which the inlay/onlay will be placed. Impressions will also be taken to be sent to the lab for them to fabricate the inlay/onlay. A shade will also be taken to match the teeth either side of the inlay/onlay so the inlay/onlay does not look out of place. A temporary inlay/onlay is then placed over the prepared tooth. This temp inlay/onlay is made of standard filling material and is designed to last until the inlay/onlay can be placed.
  3. Fitting Inlay/Onlay:-The temporary inlay/onlay is removed and the inlay/onlay is then bonded onto the tooth.

It is important to note that each case is different and the above is a very basic outline to inlay/onlay work.

Unlike other dental practices, Robertson Dental Innovations does not send patients down to Melbourne to match shades for inlays/onlays or other lab work. Our Dentists are well trained and are able to select the correct shade at the preparation appointment. Photos are also used to match shades in some cases.


Bridges

Bridges are used as a form of tooth replacement. The bridge itself refers to the “pontic”. This pontic is the part that spans the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. These pontics are supported by at least one crown on the side of the gap. The bridgework itself is made of one solid piece of (usually ceramic) material containing the crown and the pontic. The most common form of bridgework is called a three-unit bridge, which covers the gap left by a single missing tooth. The three-units refer to the two crowns (on existing teeth) on either side of the gap and the bridge pontic which spans the gap.

 

In effect bridge treatments are an extension of crown treatments, designed to replace missing teeth as well as supporting existing teeth. Bridges can also be used in conjunction with implants as part of mouth reconstructions.

Dental Bridge

Bridge Treatment Outline

Bridge treatments typically follow the following outline:-

  1. Consultation:- The first appointment would be a consultation with the dentist. At this appointment the various treatment options to replace missing teeth will be discussed. An overall treatment plan (with costs) will be provided at the end of this appointment. This consult can be done as a part of a regular 6monthly exam.
  2. Crown & Bridge Preparation:- At this appointment the teeth are prepared for the crown/s, this can involve shaping the remaining tooth to enable the required crown/s placement/s. These crowns are needed to support the bridge “pontic”. Impressions will also be taken to be sent to the lab for them to fabricate the bridge and crown/s. A shade will also be taken to match the teeth either side of the bridgework so that the bridgework do not look out of place. A temporary crown is then placed over the prepared tooth. This temp crown is made of standard filling material and is designed to last until the bridgework can be placed.
  3. Fitting Crown & Bridge:-The temporary crown/s are removed and the crown/s are then bonded onto the teeth to the side of the gap, holding the bridge pontic in place. The bridge is then complete and will be almost as strong as natural undamaged tooth enamel.

It is important to note that each case is different and the above is a very basic outline to crown work.

Unlike other dental practices, Robertson Dental Innovations does not send patients down to Melbourne to match shades for crowns or other lab work. Our Dentists are well trained and are able to select the correct shade at the preparation appointment. Photos are also used to match shades in some cases.



E4D

At our on-site dental lab (RDI Dental Lab), we have an E4D machine. This CAD/CAM machine allows Dr. Graham Robertson, to design, mill and create dental prosthetics items on site. The E4D is capable of producing crowns, inlays, onlays, bridge pontics and veneers. All of which Dr. Robertson can expertly design using a 3D scan of the tooth and the design centre cart. The E4D mill is then able to mill the designed item from a single block of porcelain. This porcelain then has the required shade applied to it, then is hardened using a dental kiln.

The advantages of the E4D systems for Dr. Robertson patients include;

  • Greater flexibility in design,
  • Only having 1 person deal with the crown (inlay, etc) from preparation to completion,
  • Faster turn around time
  • & less preparation required and therefore less tooth removal (in some cases)

Currently only Dr. Robertson is using the E4D machine, but will be available to all of our dentists in the future as part of RDI Dental Lab.


Full-mouth Reconstructions and Rehabilitations

Full-mouth Reconstructions and Rehabilitations is a term used to describe treatments with the ultimate goal to fully restore a severely damaged or worn dentition. This may result following:

  • trauma,
  • severe tooth wear,
  • a long history of large fillings which need replacing or have fractured,
  • and other major dental issues.

The main aim is to improve function but at the same time, these treatments usually improve the aesthetics as well. At Robertson Dental Innovations, Dr. Robertson is very experienced at providing these treatments for those whom unfortunately require these complex treatments.

Full-mouth Reconstructions and Rehabilitations can involve a variety of treatments including;

  • Implants,
  • Bone and Membrane Grafting,
  • Crown & Bridgework,
  • TMJ Treatments,
  • Build-ups,
  • Advanced periodontal treatments,
  • and many other types of treatments, dependant on each individual requirement.

Treatments are often complex and are individually tailored, however a consultation is usually required, after which the treatment options will be provided based on dental needs. A treatment plan outlining costs, treatment types and appointments required will then be provided.


Please contact our Reception teams on the numbers below if you have any questions about the information contained on this page or if you wish to make an appointment with us. New patients are always welcome, even if it is only to provide a second opinion.

For more information about the Prosthodontic Dentistry options provided at Robertson Dental Innovations, please see Our Services and Downloads pages, or contact our reception staff on (03) 5444 4924 (Dental Innovations on Sternberg) or (03) 5444 4924 (Dental Innovations on Condon).

We also have dental payment plan options from Smile Choice, ask the reception team for more details.