Dental Prosthetics
The term dental prosthetics encompasses all forms of dental treatments in which a part of a tooth or multiple teeth are replaced. It distinguishes between fixed and removable dental prosthetics.
This article serves as a top-level overview of various dental prosthetic options and variations, addressing the general topic of dental prosthetics. For more detailed information, links or buttons are provided in the respective paragraphs, allowing readers to access additional information about specific dental prosthetics.
Ceramic Implant
Ceramic implants offer an excellent solution for a missing tooth.
Ceramic Crown
If the natural crown of the tooth is badly damaged, a ceramic crown can restore the correct tooth anatomy and stabilize the tooth.
Ceramic Bridge
If a tooth has to be extracted, the gap of the missing tooth can be filled with a ceramic bridge. The neighboring teeth are ground and prepared for the bridge.
Dental Prosthesis
A denture is a removable dental prosthesis, which has various disadvantages compared to a fixed prosthesis.
Fixed Dental Prosthetics
Crowns
Crowns are crafted when the natural tooth crown is severely damaged and cannot be repaired with a dental filling. Ideally, an experienced dental laboratory manufactures the crown using ceramic material. Such a ceramic crown exhibits high durability and ideal biological compatibility. If the crown is needed in the front, special attention must be paid to excellent aesthetics, ensuring the ceramic crown blends seamlessly with the natural teeth.
Bridges
In a bridge, a missing tooth is replaced without the need for an implant. The two teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared and fitted with crowns, connecting the two crowns with a bridge element. This suspended bridge element visually replaces the lost tooth, with chewing forces transferred to the neighboring teeth.
The ideal material for a bridge is also ceramic, leading to the term “ceramic bridge“.
Implants
Implants are small screws made of titanium or ceramic, replacing the missing tooth and closing the gap. Implant-based solutions are an elegant and gentle option for the dentition since they do not require the grinding down of natural teeth, as is the case with bridges.
Ceramic implants have significant advantages over titanium implants, which should be considered when choosing the material.
If a tooth needs to be extracted, the implant can be placed and provisionally restored in the same treatment session. This approach is known as an immediate implant, with a preference for the ceramic immediate implant.
Removable Dental Prosthetics
When people hear the term “Removable Dental Prosthetics,” most envision the classic image of a denture soaking in a glass of water. That’s quite accurate, as removable dental prosthetics refer to a prosthesis that can be taken out of the mouth by the patient at any time.
These prosthetics are crafted when several or all teeth are missing, and the patient has a limited financial budget.
In prosthetics, a distinction is made between the partial prosthesis and the full prosthesis.
Partial Denture
A partial denture replaces multiple teeth and is typically secured to remaining teeth using metallic clasps. The strong chewing forces are distributed over a few teeth and partially on the oral mucosa, leading to unfavorable mechanical stresses. The teeth supporting the forces quickly lose stability due to this misalignment and often need to be extracted. Consequently, partial dentures are not a long-term satisfactory solution. For more information, please refer to the article on Dentures.
Full Denture
A full denture, also known as a total denture, replaces all teeth and rests on the entire oral mucosa. Stability is achieved through suction created by the prosthesis and the additional use of denture adhesive or powder. In the case of a full denture, all chewing forces are transferred to the mucous membrane, resulting in significant pressure on the bone. Such unnatural pressure loads contribute to bone loss, explaining the rapid loss of jawbone density. For additional details, refer to the Dentures article.
Dr. Artur Hein
In dental prosthetics, the collaboration between the dentist and dental technician is crucial. Through the on-site dental laboratory, we provide ideal conditions.
Frequently asked Questions about Dental Prosthetics
As the topic of dental prosthetics is highly technical and specialized, many patients experience confusion and uncertainties. In the following section, we aim to address some common questions and hope to assist you in making informed decisions.
When someone mentions poorly fitting dental prosthetics, they are referring to a prosthesis with poor fit. The symptoms include:
- Prosthesis easily falls out and lacks stability
- Pressure sores on the oral mucosa
- Food accumulates beneath the prosthesis
- Difficulty in speaking
- Difficulty in chewing due to anatomically incorrect bite
In such cases, adjusting or remaking the prosthesis or considering a fixed solution is recommended.
The question of dental prosthetics costs is not straightforward and depends on various factors. It primarily depends on the type of dental prosthetic and the chosen approach. Fixed solutions are generally more expensive than removable ones but offer a significant long-term gain in chewing comfort and quality of life.
Those looking to save on dental prosthetics may experience compromises in quality, fit, and aesthetics. Saving in the wrong areas can lead to unpredictable long-term costs, as prosthetics may need to be remade.
The most affordable dental prosthetic is the interim denture, also known as a wire-clasp denture. However, the drawbacks must be considered in treatment planning. We strongly advise against making decisions solely based on price, as it may lead to long-term health issues such as tooth loosening, inflammation, and bone loss. Health should be the primary criterion in decision-making.
Any type of dental prosthetic can be crafted for both the upper and lower jaws. A crucial criterion in decision-making is whether it should be removable or fixed. In the majority of cases, we recommend a fixed dental prosthetic as it offers clear long-term benefits.
This question must be answered on an individual basis, as it heavily depends on the patient’s situation. For example, if a patient has many old crowns that need replacement or significant bone loss, a bridge might make more sense than an implant.
In general, a fixed dental prosthetic is the preferred choice for long-term stability.
Further information
The additional information is intended to give you a better overview of the subject matter.