What is a dental prosthesis?
Dentures are used to maintain the natural function and aesthetics of the dentition when one, several or all teeth are missing. The prosthesis should ensure the ability to chew and make sounds (phonetics) and create a harmonious appearance of the face. There are different types of dentures.
Fixed dentures
Fixed dentures include bridges, crowns and implants. They are made of metal, ceramics or corresponding combinations. In the meantime, plastics are also used.
- Bridges replace lost teeth. They consist of bridge pontics and bridge anchors, which are attached to adjacent teeth (anchor or abutment teeth).
- Crowns are placed over the remains of a tooth and give it stability and shape. Depending on the material, they are almost invisible.
- Implants replace tooth roots or even entire jaw bones. A denture (superstructure) can be firmly drilled or cemented onto them.
Removable dentures
Depending on whether the removable denture supplements teeth that are still present or replaces all teeth, it is referred to as a partial denture or full denture.
The full denture (complete denture) replaces all teeth of the upper or lower jaw. It also consists of a plastic base with anchored artificial teeth and may contain metal elements for reinforcement. The denture adheres to the mucosa by negative pressure and adhesion and cohesion forces. Adhesive creams serve as saliva substitutes.
Combination denture (Combined denture)
The combination denture is usually a connection between a removable partial denture and fixed crowns to which the partial denture is attached (splinting). The denture is splinted with bars (connection between two crowned teeth), attachments (anchor element on a crown) or telescopes. Telescopes consist of a primary crown, which is fixed to the tooth stump, and a secondary crown, which is incorporated into the removable part. Primary crown and secondary crown can be telescoped into each other.
When do you make a dental prosthesis?
Partial dentures and combined dentures usually replace several teeth and are used instead of bridges when they can no longer be anchored. If all teeth are missing in one jaw, full dentures are used.
What do you do with dentures?
Generally, for any denture, the denture is first cleaned of cavities and old fillings.
Crown
Using standardized color rings, the dentist determines the color of the tooth. The tooth is prepared by removing the enamel and grinding it. Based on impressions, a dental laboratory makes the crown individually. In a second session, the crown is fitted over the tooth and adjusted. The denture is checked to ensure that it is in contact with the jaw and other teeth, that it fits the opposing jaw exactly, and that it matches the rest of the teeth in terms of aesthetics and color.
Bridge
Here, too, the dentist must first determine the tooth color and pre-treat the natural teeth. Based on dental impressions, an individual bridge is made in the dental laboratory, which consists of a single cast. In further sessions, the dentist inserts the prosthesis and checks it for accuracy of fit.
Implant
Removable dentures
In order for the dentures to resemble the real dentures as closely as possible, the color of the teeth and the exact dimensions of the jaws are determined by taking impressions. The fabrication of partial dentures and full dentures is very complex. For the partial denture, a precisely fitting metal framework including clasps and compensation elements is fitted with teeth made of plastic or ceramic. The full denture is usually only made of plastic and has no clasps, so that the accuracy of fit must be guaranteed even in different jaw positions.
So-called interim dentures with a prefabricated plastic base are suitable as short-term dentures. They can, for example, bridge the time between healing due to surgery and a permanent denture.
Contraindications for crowns or bridges
There are some cases in which a crown or bridge will not be fitted:
- if the defects on the tooth can still be treated with amalgam or plastic fillings
- in patients under 18 years old, when the jaw is still growing. In these cases, temporary crowns are fitted to bridge the time until a permanent restoration can be made.
- if the patient takes insufficient care of his teeth
What are the risks of dental prosthesis?
As with any dental treatment, the following complications may occur:
- Tooth loss due to machining or pressure from dentures
- Pain and hypersensitivity
- Gum inflammation
- Injuries in the mouth
The following risks apply to dentures themselves:
- Allergy
- Gum recession @
- Caries
- loosening of the denture
- Damage to the denture itself
Removable dentures can damage teeth, gums and the jawbone due to their large contact area and the pressure they exert.
What do I need to consider when having dentures?
Further information: Dentures: Costs
If you would like to know how the costs of dentures are made up and what amounts you can expect, read the article Dentures: Costs.
