Answers around the topic dental prosthesis and dental health
Straight and clean teeth provide for a higher self-confidence as well as for a good general health and thus for more quality of life. Despite the best care – due to an accident, an illness or simply because of age – teeth can still get lost. At the latest then the question of a suitable dental prosthesis arises. Whether pin teeth, telescopic prostheses or dental implants: Your dentist has many proven techniques at his disposal.
Telescopic prosthesis or implants: What is better?
If you compare the telescope prosthesis with another dental prosthesis, it is a good compromise.
Advantages of the telescope prosthesis:
- Safe prosthesis retention
- no disturbing braces
- Palatal freedom possible with more than four abutment teeth
- one remaining tooth is sufficient for attachment
- optimal oral hygiene due to the removable design
- Double crowns (telescopes) purely implant-supported or manufactured as hybrid prosthesis (combination of dental implants and natural teeth)
- fast and uncomplicated repairs, easy expandability
Disadvantages of the telescope prosthesis:
- healthy teeth must be strongly ground
- If there are fewer than four abutment teeth, undertongue bracket or other connectors required
- Possible caries development at the crown margin and overloading of the abutment teeth with natural tooth root
Advantages of dental implants:
- each tooth can be treated individually
- Support for a dental prosthesis or a dental bridge
- fixed teeth for a natural mouthfeel
- healthy tooth substance is preserved
- Protection against bone loss
- in the case of complete edentulousness, 4 dental implants per jaw are sufficient for fixed dentures; for removable dentures, at least 2 implants are necessary
- Reproduction of abutment teeth
Disadvantages of dental implants:
- jaw augmentation is necessary if bone supply is low
- high costs
How much does a telescope prosthesis cost?
The highest quality form of removable prosthesis has its price – after all, two crowns are made per abutment tooth. For each single crown you should estimate laboratory costs at 350-400 Euro. In addition, there is the fee for the dentist, which can vary considerably from one dental practice to the next.
A lump sum is therefore not possible, because the costs are also dependent on your individual requirements:
- Type of material (stainless steel alloy, gold or ceramic)
- Number of teeth to be replaced
- the need for previous dental treatment such as bone augmentation, dental implants or root canal treatment
Total costs of several thousand euros for both jaws are realistic: Obtaining a second opinion based on a treatment and cost plan is highly recommended! There is a fixed amount for the crowns (standard care) from the health insurance company, regardless of which type of dental prosthesis you ultimately choose.
Pin tooth or dental implant: What is the difference?
Whether a pin tooth or a dental implant – the procedure is only similar at first glance: Tooth root build-up crown. The main difference lies in the area of the tooth root and the structure it contains.
Dental implants themselves form the artificial tooth root (implant body) into which the titanium or ceramic implant abutment is screwed. Advantage: Dental implants are not dependent on the often already damaged tooth root and are extremely durable with good oral hygiene. Disadvantage: Implants are somewhat more expensive than a pin tooth.
The pin tooth, also known as the pin crown or pin-bearing crown, consists of an artificial tooth crown that is firmly anchored in the root canal of a natural tooth with the help of a pin.
The post can be made of metal, plastic or ceramic. Advantage: If the root of a severely damaged tooth is still present and intact, a pin tooth can be used to preserve part of the tooth. This even works with teeth that have already been root-treated.
Disadvantage: The already weakened tooth root no longer provides the crown with sufficient hold, caries forms at the crown root transition and the crown loosens. The replacement of crown and pin causes new costs and stresses the tooth root again. Dental implants are therefore the better choice from a medical point of view.
The visit to the dentist: How often should one go?
If you go to the dentist only once a year and have your bonus booklet stamped without gaps, you can save a lot of money in an emergency. The fixed subsidy for dental prostheses increases as a result of staggered bonus payments and rewards regular visits to the dentist after five years:
- Bonus booklet after 0-4 years: 0 % bonus, 50 % subsidy (total amount of standard care)
- Bonus booklet after 5-9 years: 20 % bonus, 60 % subsidy (total amount of standard care)
- Bonus booklet after 10 and more years: 30 % bonus, 65 % subsidy (total amount of standard care)
But no dental prosthesis is as valuable as your own teeth and no bonus covers its entire cost. An appointment with the dentist at least every six months is
If defects are detected early, they can be treated much more easily and cost-effectively. For wearers of well-fitting full dentures, an annual visit to the dentist is sufficient; patients with gum problems, on the other hand, should go to the dentist every three months.