Dental crowns and bridges in Küsnacht

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that completely covers a badly damaged tooth, protects it and restores its shape and ability to chew. Crowns are mainly used when a filling is no longer enough, for example after part of a tooth has broken off, after extensive decay or after root canal treatment. If a tooth is missing altogether, a bridge anchored to the neighbouring teeth can close the gap.

At our practice in Küsnacht, we make dental crowns and bridges exclusively from white, metal-free materials: zirconia or e.max. Depending on the case, they are produced in our Swiss laboratory or with CEREC directly at the practice in a single session. On this page, you will find out when a crown makes sense, what the cost depends on, how the treatment works and how to look after your crown.

What is a dental crown and when is one needed?

When a tooth is crowned, it is ground down slightly all the way round. The crown, which looks and functions like a natural tooth, is then fixed onto it. The root and the remaining tooth are preserved. This is the key difference from a replacement tooth after an extraction.

A crown may be an option, for example, in the case of:

• large defects: when decay or several old fillings have destroyed so much tooth structure that a filling can no longer keep the tooth stable;
• broken or cracked teeth: the crown holds the tooth together and protects it from further fractures;
• teeth after root canal treatment: they are often weakened, which is why a crown is frequently needed after root canal treatment;
• implants: an implant also receives a crown as its visible part;
• aesthetic reasons: when the shape or colour of a severely altered tooth cannot be corrected in any other way.

Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. If there is enough healthy tooth structure, a filling or a partial crown is often the gentler choice. We only recommend a crown when it genuinely makes sense for preserving the tooth.

Dental bridges: when a tooth is missing

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of crowns on the neighbouring teeth (the so-called abutment teeth) and the pontic, which spans the gap. This means you can chew and speak normally again, and the surrounding teeth do not tilt or drift into the gap.

The downside: the abutment teeth have to be ground down, even if they are healthy. An alternative is a dental implant, which leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched but requires a surgical procedure and sufficient bone. Our guide Dental implant or bridge: a comparison shows which solution suits you better.

Dental crown materials: zirconia or e.max

Dental crowns are generally available in gold, metal with a ceramic veneer, resin or all-ceramic. At our practice, we use only white, metal-free materials. This means there is no dark metal margin at the gumline, and the crown can be matched well to the colour of your own teeth.

• Zirconia (zirconium oxide): a very strong high-performance ceramic. It is generally well suited to back teeth, which are exposed to strong chewing forces, and to bridges.
• e.max (lithium disilicate): a glass ceramic with a natural-looking translucency. It is often used in visible areas, such as the incisors and canines.

The right material for your tooth depends on its position, the chewing forces, the space available and your aesthetic wishes. We discuss this with you before treatment.

Cost of dental crowns

What a dental crown costs can only be stated reliably after an examination. The cost depends mainly on:

• the condition of the tooth and any preliminary treatment, such as a build-up or root canal treatment;
• the material (zirconia or e.max) and the number of units – for a bridge, the number of abutment teeth and pontics;
• how it is made: in the Swiss laboratory or with CEREC at the practice;
• the complexity of the treatment and the number of appointments.

On request, we will prepare a cost estimate for you in advance, either for your own records or to submit to your insurer. You can find our tariff point values transparently listed on the tariff point values page. In Switzerland, compulsory basic insurance covers dental treatment only in exceptional cases, such as after an accident. Whether supplementary insurance covers part of the cost depends on your policy. It is best to check this with your insurer in advance.

Treatment with a crown: advantages and disadvantages

The greatest advantage of a crown: even a badly damaged tooth can often still be saved. It is stabilised, can bear full load again and looks natural.

There are also disadvantages. Healthy tooth structure has to be ground away for the crown, and this cannot be reversed. A crown also does not last for ever and will need to be replaced at some point. If there is then not enough tooth left, in unfavourable cases it may be necessary to extract the tooth. That is why we weigh up with you whether a crown is the right solution or whether a smaller restoration is enough.

How we work at our practice

1. Examination and consultation: We examine the tooth, discuss the options with you and, on request, prepare a cost estimate.
2. Preparation: Under local anaesthetic, we remove the damaged part and shape the tooth so that the crown or bridge fits precisely.
3. Digital impression: Instead of using impression material, we capture your teeth with a digital scanner. This is more comfortable and precise.
4. Fabrication: Either the crown is milled with CEREC directly at the practice and fitted in the same session, or it is made from zirconia or e.max in our Swiss laboratory, which takes about a week; thanks to the digital data, coordination with the laboratory is quick and accurate. The dentist decides, depending on the situation, which route is suitable and whether a temporary crown is needed in the meantime.
5. Fitting: We check the fit, bite and colour and permanently fix the crown or bridge in place. A tight crown margin is important so that bacteria cannot settle underneath.
6. Check-up: At a later appointment, we check that everything fits well and that the gums are free of irritation.

Dental crown care and durability

A crown itself cannot develop decay, but the tooth underneath can – especially at the crown margin, where the crown and gum meet. Good care is therefore the most important factor for long durability.

• Brush thoroughly twice a day, paying particular attention to the transition between the crown and the gum.
• Clean between your teeth every day with dental floss or interdental brushes. Under a bridge pontic, special bridge floss or small brushes can help.
• Come regularly for check-ups and professional teeth cleaning.
• If you grind or clench your teeth at night, let us know. Strong forces also put strain on ceramics.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a dental crown last?

There is no universal figure. Well-cared-for crowns generally last many years. The decisive factors are your oral hygiene, regular check-ups, the load when chewing and whether you grind your teeth.

Does having a crown fitted hurt?

The tooth is ground down under local anaesthetic. Afterwards, it may be sensitive to cold or pressure for a short time. If this persists, please get in touch with us.

When is a crown no longer possible?

When too little healthy tooth structure remains, the root is badly damaged or the tooth is no longer firmly anchored in the bone. Sometimes a build-up can help; otherwise an implant or a bridge may be an option. We assess this on the basis of the examination and the X-ray.

Can I get a dental crown in one day?

Yes, that is possible: with CEREC, we make crowns directly at the practice and fit them in the same session. Whether this is suitable in your case depends on factors such as the tooth and the type of restoration you want.

Can an old crown be replaced?

Yes. If a crown is leaking, damaged or looks unsightly, we remove it and check the tooth underneath. If it is healthy enough, it receives a new crown, for example a metal-free crown made of zirconia or e.max.

Would you like to know whether a dental crown or bridge is the right solution for you? Book an appointment online at our practice on Seestrasse in Küsnacht, or call us on +41 44 301 26 02.