A complete replacement in case of several missing teeth is a dental prosthesis. Dentures do not have to be exclusive to older people, but can also be an alternative to complete toothlessness for young people.
What is a dental prosthesis?
Dentures are divided into total dentures and partial dentures. The simplest and cheapest dentures are made of plastic. More complex dentures are made of titanium and plastic. Ceramic is rarely used because the material breaks and rattles more quickly. Like any other known form of prosthetic care, the so-called denture replaces the natural dentition. Moreover, a dental prosthesis can bridge not only several or all, but equally individual gaps of the dental apparatus. The dental prosthesis is made of artificial materials and matched as closely as possible to the individual morphology of the existing residual dentition. Although the denture is a foreign body, it fulfills a number of important functions. In addition, a dental prosthesis contributes to a better visual appearance. Therefore, dentures are made in different types, known as partial or full dentures, depending on the extent of the remaining teeth.
Shapes, types and styles
The construction of dentures is based on a specific selection of resistant materials that are not harmful to health, as well as on a sophisticated design. This must be both static and not interfere with the natural appearance of the denture wearer. As a rule, high-quality plastics, sometimes precious metals, porcelain and ceramics are used for dentures. Partial dentures as dental prostheses are available as interim or so-called temporary devices or as model cast dentures. Other types of dentures are the partial dentures as switching or free-end dentures. Proven dentures as total dentures are the complete upper and lower dentures.
Structure, function and mode of action
Schematic diagram comparing bridges and implants in dentures. Click to enlarge. The partial denture functions only as a “gap filler” and bridges very large gaps between individually still healthy or restored teeth. Partial dentures are used as full dentures in the variants of permanently fixed or removable replacement components. In contrast to partial dentures, full dentures are cemented to the upper palate during tooth replacement or attached to still existing, viable teeth. To ensure a better fit and a more comfortable fit of the dentures, it can be useful to build up the jawbone with the patient’s own cartilage or bone substance. Modern procedures, which rely on an artificially inserted abutment for a secure fit of the dentures, require the use of implants. When fitting the dentures, the anatomical conditions of the jaws as well as the gums and the remaining teeth must be taken into account. Therefore, dentists first make a comprehensive impression of the jaw, which serves as a prerequisite for the fabrication of the denture. Full dentures, which have to be fixed to the upper jaw exclusively without the use of the neck teeth, are usually problematic because they do not hold well. In addition, the jaw bones and gums are subject to permanent changes, so that a denture often needs to be touched up. Dentures that do not fit properly and are poorly made or mismatched cause massive health problems and perform their intended tasks poorly or not at all. This can also be a reason why many people do not want to wear their dentures.
Medical and health benefits
An optimal denture, which is exactly tailored to the needs of the patient, not only allows the correct biting and chewing of food and supports, as it were, the taste and initiates digestion. Dentures are a medical necessity so that people can stay healthy and eat. Dentures also serve to preserve the gums and jaw bones. Only when these areas are stressed, which is the case when chewing, do these tissue areas not deteriorate. Important in this context is the so-called residual periodontium, which would inevitably recede without dentures.Without dentures, no intelligible articulation of sounds would be possible and drinking would also be difficult. If several teeth are missing and the bite of the upper and lower jaws is therefore no longer present, this leads to a so-called occlusal disharmony, from which the temporomandibular joints in particular suffer. With a need-based denture, the syndromes that occur with occlusal dysfunction could be prevented. Surprisingly, dentures also improve hearing and, equally, aesthetic appearance. Without dentures, people may appear much older and unattractive. In this context, a denture has a psychosocial significance and increases the quality of life.
