Content of the article:
What are dentures?
Prosthesis is a type of a retrievable dental replacement and, therefore, does not hold in the mouth permanently, but the patient is able to take it out. Dentures are divided into:
Partially removable dentures
This can be made if the patient still has residual teeth. These teeth should be healthy and non-wobbling, so that they can be used as a pillar on which the prosthesis holds and evenly transmits the chewing pressure. Partially removable dentures are supported on the pillar teeth by means of anchoring elements – so-called clips.
Complete dentures
They replace teeth on toothless jaws. They hold onto the alveolar ridge due to suction, muscle activity, and the underlying area.
Hybrid dentures
They consist of a fixed and removable part, which fit together and form a single unit. Retention is provided by plug-in joints, telescopic crowns, implants (in this case, however, the prosthetic part carried by the implant is removable, not firmly fixed – in individual cases, i.e., in the case of a large decrease in bone, this option may also be indicated).
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
Generally, replacement of missing teeth is justified not only from the aesthetic but also functional point of view (speech, chewing). Loss of a tooth or a group of teeth makes the bone in which the tooth was placed to drop, adjacent and opposite teeth to “migrate to the gap”.
The result is disharmony of inter-jaw conditions. This can lead to earlier loss of other teeth. The longer a tooth (or teeth) are missing, the more challenging their prosthetic replacement can be.
In addition, over time, atrophy of the chewing muscles occurs, which manifests itself in older appearance of the face (forward slip of the chin, unfilled nasolabial crease, deeper wrinkles).
Denture-making process
We strive to reconstruct the original anatomical conditions with a removable substitute as much as possible. Conditions in each patient’s mouth are individual, therefore, the prosthesis is also made in several steps and trials. Both the dental technician and the dental practitioner are involved in the preparation.
An interim prosthesis can be made – immediately after extraction we put the prosthesis on (it should be added, however, that after a few weeks it is necessary to modify the prosthesis and later remodel it – after the extraction of teeth the bone heals and changes its shape, as a result of which this type of prosthesis may not fit over time) or its making may be postponed – up to 3 months from extraction – after the end of the active bone rebuilding.
- Preparation: We assess the height and thickness of the bone, pillar teeth, mucous membranes, sharp protrusions,…If the conditions are found unsatisfactory, we sometimes proceed with surgical procedures (bone equalization, or vestibuloplasty);
- Impression no. 1: We make the upper and lower situational impressions;
- Impression no. 2: We make a functional impression;
- Bite height: We measure the height at which the new teeth will be situated, thus reconstructing the original bite ratios;
- Tooth wax test: We verify the color of the teeth, the shape of the future prosthesis;
- Delivery: The patient receives a new prosthesis, practices putting it on, the height of the bite. The patient will practice speech and prosthetic function at home. Thereafter, regular check-ups are necessary – if for anything else, at least as a precautionary measure.
Caring for your dental prosthesis
Although the denture replaces the patient’s teeth, it is important to take proper care of it. The surface of the prosthesis must be mechanically cleaned with a toothbrush every day. Once a week, we can immerse it in water with the effervescent tablets designed for that purpose.
During the night, the prosthesis is removed. The aim is not to overload the mucous membrane and the pillar teeth. Constant wearing of a removable substitute may lead to development of candidiasis in the mouth or hypertrophy of the mucosa.
Patients should also present themselves at regular check-ups of the prosthesis/ the remaining teeth.
Dental prostheses at Smart Dental Clinic
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Total upper/lower prosthesis 650 €
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Partially removable upper/lower prosthesis 650 €
MDDr. Dana Václaviková
Dentist, Bratislava
