Pfeilerzähne

Pfeilerzähne, a German term, translates to "pillar teeth" or "abutment teeth" in English. This refers to teeth that serve as support for a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap and attaching to the natural teeth on either side. These natural teeth, the pfeilerzähne, are carefully prepared, usually by reshaping them through grinding, to accommodate crowns. These crowns are then cemented onto the prepared pfeilerzähne, and the artificial teeth (pontics) of the bridge are attached to these crowns, effectively bridging the space of the missing tooth or teeth. The strength and health of the pfeilerzähne are crucial for the long-term success and stability of the dental bridge. If the pfeilerzähne are not healthy or strong enough, the bridge may fail. Therefore, a thorough dental examination is necessary to determine if a patient's teeth are suitable to act as pfeilerzähne before proceeding with a bridge. Other dental restorations, such as partial dentures, can also utilize natural teeth as support, and in that context, these supporting teeth might also be referred to as pfeilerzähne.