Types of prosthetics

They are popularly called "false teeth". Such prostheses are used in case of complete loss of own teeth, or in case of loss of most of them.

Completely removable

Fully removable dentures are widely used among older people who have lost their teeth as a result of age-related changes. Also, removable dental systems can be used as a temporary measure, for example, in preparation for the installation of fixed ones.

This type of prosthesis has received wide distribution due to its almost one hundred percent compatibility and the absence of contraindications.

There are no big differences in the design of fully removable dentures, they are all a copy of the human dentition with a plate that serves to fix it on the gums (the so-called denture base). How to fix the structure in the absence of teeth? A removable prosthesis is held in the mouth according to the suction cup principle.

Fully removable dentures also do not differ in appearance, as they copy the natural look and color of healthy teeth. The differences between different types of fully removable systems are related to the material used for their manufacture.

Made of plastic

Plastic prostheses are among the most affordable types of dental prosthetics. Most often, plastics based on polymerized acrylic acid are used for production, therefore plastic dental structures are also called acrylic. Artificial teeth made of ceramic or porcelain are mounted on plastic arcs.

Due to the plasticity of acrylic, the plastic prosthesis "adjusts" its shape to the shape of the patient's jaw in a short time, which reduces the time to get used to it. Usually, a few days are enough to get used to the acrylic structure.

Unfortunately, in addition to affordability and convenience, a plastic prosthesis based on polymerized acrylic also has a number of significant disadvantages:

• The plasticity of acrylic polymers, which facilitates getting used to the prosthesis, at the same time makes the design less resistant to the variable loads associated with chewing food. The very principle of fastening in the mouth implies a tight fit of the arches of the prosthesis to the patient's jaw protrusions, otherwise suction is impossible. Subjected to variable loads, the plastic prosthesis loosens, loses its shape accuracy and, along with it, its tightness. As a result, it can simply fall out, putting the patient in an awkward position.
• Despite all the advances in the denture industry, the aesthetics of plastic dentures still leaves much to be desired. False teeth made of plastic "strike" with their artificiality. The basis of an acrylic prosthesis is as easily distinguished from a real gum at first glance as the plastic "skin" of a mannequin differs from living human skin.
• For the production of acrylic plastic prostheses, as a rule, casting is used - pouring liquid plastic into molds. While the plastic is in a liquid state, microscopic bubbles form in it, which is why its surface has a porous structure. The smallest remains of food are retained in the pores, serving as a habitat for microorganisms, including pathogens.
• Premature wear is not the worst thing that the user of a plastic prosthesis will have to face. The fact is that acrylic-based plastics contain a by-product of acrylic polymerization - methyl methacrylate.

Methyl methacrylate is an ester of methacrylic acid. It is toxic, has a depressant effect on the nervous system, as well as the liver and kidneys. Strong allergen.

The modern chemical industry produces highly refined dental resins, making toxic methyl methacrylate poisoning almost impossible, but allergic reactions to this dangerous chemical may well occur. After all, for the development of allergies, in some cases, it is enough for the body to contact, literally, with several molecules of the allergen.

Due to the disadvantages described above, long-term use of plastic dentures is not recommended, and this must be taken into account when deciding which false teeth to choose. It is better to use plastic structures as temporary ones, or for short periods of time: during meals or “on the way out”.

Nylon

Modern methods of dental prosthetics involve the use of a more advanced material - nylon - as the basis for the basis. Nylon prostheses are flexible, elastic, wear-resistant. Although they are more expensive than acrylic, they have significant advantages over them:

• Nylon does not emit toxic substances.
• Nylon is hypoallergenic, the components that make up nylon do not cause allergic reactions.
• The surface of nylon has a solid, non-porous structure, which has a beneficial effect on the hygiene of using nylon prostheses.
• Nylon has an increased aesthetics, the basis of a dental structure made of nylon looks like a living gum.

Perhaps the only drawback of nylon prostheses is the higher price. However, it is worth paying attention to the following point. Unlike rigid plastic constructions, nylon cannot evenly distribute the chewing load. Constant chewing on one side leads to inflammation of the gums and bone atrophy.

A nylon prosthesis cannot distribute the force over the entire jaw area, so you will have to take on this work yourself. When using a nylon prosthesis, be sure to alternate sides when chewing.

Types of partial dentures

Completely removable dental structures that use the principle of suction cups to hold in the mouth, regardless of the material of manufacture, have a serious drawback - unreliable fixation in the oral cavity. Therefore, dentists, whenever possible, look for a fulcrum in the patient's mouth, with which it would be possible to reliably strengthen the prosthesis. Such a “fulcrum” is the patient’s preserved native teeth. Systems fixed by attachment to natural teeth are called partially removable dentures.

In the photo: various types of removable dentures

Partially removable dental systems are also made of acrylic plastics or nylon, because they have all the advantages and disadvantages inherent in these materials. But unlike removable dentures, partially removable dentures can be quite different structurally.

Partially removable dentures according to the device are divided into groups:

1. Unilateral partially removable.

For all types of partially removable dentures, a classification according to the types of fixing devices is also used.

Clasp prostheses are considered to be the most perfect among partially removable ones. This is one of the best ways of dentures. The principle of their operation is based on the principle of redistributing the load with the help of arc elements (“byugel” means “arc”). This achieves both delayed wear of the structure and the absence of increased local loads on the tissues and bones of the jaw.

In the photo: types of removable clasp prostheses

According to the method of fixation, clasp structures are divided into prostheses:

1. With clasps.
2. On micro locks.

With clasps

All partial dentures are fixed in the patient's mouth by attaching to healthy teeth. One of the options for a device for such an attachment are clasps. Clasps are called metal devices, which, due to their special shape, reliably cover a healthy tooth, fixing the structure. The main advantage of this fixation option is that it does not require any manipulations with healthy teeth. Unfortunately, such designs have a significant drawback, which, although it does not affect the health of the owner, can cause some inconvenience. The disadvantage is the high visibility of metal clasps when talking. Because of this, many are embarrassed to wear prostheses with clasps and prefer systems on attachments.

On attachments (on micro locks)

Fixation devices mounted in a dental crown, put on a healthy tooth. The second part of such a device is fixed on the prosthesis. The two parts of the attachment are connected according to the lock principle, and the whole structure is securely fixed. Attachments are made in such a way that when the prosthesis is in the mouth, all "unnatural" parts of the structure are securely hidden from the eyes of an outside observer.

During the installation of the crown, which serves as a fixation point for the attachment, the tooth on which the crown is placed is undermined. Thus, the use of prostheses with micro-locks leads to a forced violation of the integrity (actually damage) of a healthy tooth.

On telescopic crowns

They are one of the options for installing an attachment. The crown, in which the attachment is mounted, is put on not on the tooth, but on the crown permanently installed on the tooth. In this case, one crown enters the other, like parts of a retractable telescope. This design is necessary in the case of prosthetics of a large number of teeth to improve the reliability of fixation.

One-sided partially removable

There is no doubt that clasp structures are convenient and reliable, but, unfortunately, they are not always applicable. After all, their device is based on an arc, and the arc, obviously, needs two points of support, so it is advisable to use clasp for prosthetics on both sides of the jaw at once. What to do in this case? There are modern methods of prosthetics for teeth located on one side of the jaw.

• Lamellar dentures are one or more ceramic artificial teeth based on nylon or acrylic resin. The design rests on the gum and is fixed to the adjacent teeth with metal clasps.
• Dental segments fundamentally differ little from lamellar structures, but are intended to replace b O more teeth. Dental segments are usually fixed with attachments on conventional or telescopic crowns, since fixation with clasps is not sufficiently reliable for them.

Immediate dentures

Immediate prostheses in their design resemble clasp prostheses, devoid of the actual clasp, that is, the arc. These are simple and inexpensive constructions, used only as a temporary measure while waiting for the fabrication of a permanent removable prosthesis or surgery for a fixed prosthesis. For fastening, a simple fixation to two adjacent teeth is used using acrylic clasps or suction cups. Immediate prostheses are of two main types:

• Full. They are designed to completely replace, albeit for a short time, a lost tooth in all its functions. That is, such a prosthesis can fully chew moderately solid food.
• partial. They are intended more to perform a “representative function”, protect the exposed gum from inflammation and damage, and also prevent healthy teeth from shifting to the place of the removed ones. When using this type of temporary structures, it is recommended to use only liquid and semi-liquid food or conditionally solid food that does not require effort when chewing (sausages, except for hard-smoked sausages, well-stewed meat, chopped cutlets, etc.).

Conditionally removable

Relatively removable are small structures that replace, as a rule, one lost tooth. There are two types:

• A conditionally removable prosthesis on clasps is attached to adjacent teeth using metal fixing devices.
• Bonded conditionally removable prosthesis. The specificity of the prosthetics of an individual tooth allows you to fix the structure with a special dental adhesive.

It is not necessary to regularly remove such a prosthesis, and in the case of installation on glue, it is generally difficult, which is why they are called conditionally removable.

Types of permanent (fixed) dentures

Without exception, all types of removable dental structures have such disadvantages as a decrease in the quality of fixation over time, clogging of food particles under the prosthesis, and unnatural chewing loads. If you want to avoid these inconveniences, then the choice may be worth stopping at non-removable

• Root implants are the most physiological and natural form of prosthetics. A root implant is made in the form of a tooth root and is installed in its place.
• Plate implants are used if the installation of a root-shaped implant is not possible due to the destruction of the periosteum of the jaw in case of injury or illness. A plate is implanted into the jaw, which has a better degree of fixation due to the larger area.
• Basal implants are used in case of serious damage to the jaw. By design, they resemble lamellar ones, but are installed on O greater depth - into the jaw bone.
• Submucosal implants, as their name implies, are installed under the mucous membrane of the gums. They are usually used to install prostheses of the front teeth that do not experience heavy loads when chewing.

Types of bridges

Bridges or dental bridges are called prostheses that replace a row of adjacent teeth and, like a bridge, have two or more points of support. What are dental bridges?

• Dental bridges on implants are based on two, less often three intramaxillary implants. Such prosthetics are used in case of complete loss of a number of chewing teeth.
• Dental bridges on crowns. If implantation is not possible for one reason or another, healthy teeth can be used as bridge supports by putting crowns on them. The disadvantage of this method is damage to healthy teeth in the process of grinding for the installation of crowns.
• Bridges-crowns. If adjacent teeth are not completely lost, but severely damaged, then you can not remove them, but use them as a support for a bridge. A number of teeth are ground and put on them with one large crown-bridge.

Types of micro prostheses

• dental crowns- the most common type of microprostheses. Crowns are used if the base of the tooth is preserved and can serve as the basis for the prosthesis. A crown is installed on the so-called dental stump - a specially turned outer part of the tooth. As a material for the manufacture of crowns, cermet, porcelain, stainless steel and titanium alloys are used. Aesthetic crowns are also made from precious metals, often inlaid with precious stones.
• Veneers. Veneers are called thin plates made from a cast of a tooth and put on from the outer, visible side of the dentition. Made from porcelain and composite materials. They can serve to protect the tooth, but usually play a purely aesthetic role. Gained wide popularity among politicians, actors, theater and cinema figures.
• Dental tabs represent a compromise between a filling and a crown. They are used for significant damage to the tooth, in which it is difficult to install a filling, but it is still possible to save part of the tooth without cultivation. The tab is usually made of ceramics according to a cast of a tooth that is symmetrical to the prosthesis.

Which ones to choose?

As you can see, the range of types of prosthetics offered by modern dentistry is huge, making a choice on your own is not easy.

It should be understood that there is no single answer to the question of how best to prosthetic teeth, each type has its own goals. The financial possibilities of the patient also play a significant role.

Some types are used for complete tooth loss (implants, clasp prostheses), others for partial (crowns, inlays), others are designed to improve the appearance of the "facade" of the dentition (veneers).

To make a choice in favor of the best dental prosthetics, the best specifically for you, the advice of a qualified dentist will help you.