Tips for prosthetics: which prostheses are better

Methods of dental prostheticsThe method of prosthetics is determined by the clinical situation:1. Veneers and lumineers are installed on teeth with healthy roots, a complete crown, but external defects in the front part.2. Crowns and implants are used to replace 1-2 teeth. Bridges or complete non-removable models made using a one-stage implantation technique can replace 1-3 teeth.3. If most of the dentition of the lower or upper jaw is lost, removable dentures are made or implants are installed.Composite and ceramic veneers/lumineers — overlays on the front of the tooth. This is not so much prosthetics as aesthetic restoration, since veneers and lumineers solve the problem exclusively of aesthetic correction and do not affect chewing functions in any way.Of the non-removable structures, only crowns, bridges and implants restore the chewing function.To install a crown, you need a native tooth with a whole root or an implant. This is the best choice when:● The tooth is destroyed by 50-70%, it is not subject to filling, but the root is preserved● There are malocclusion defects that cannot be corrected by orthodontic constructions● There are defects in the front surface of the teeth that cannot be fixed with veneers● A patient with moderate periodontitis needs splinting structures to fix movable teeth.Bridges or bridges are installed based on adjacent teeth. Classic bridges are put on dental crowns on both sides of the lost tooth. This symmetrical design is suitable for replacing teeth in the middle of the row.Cantilever bridges are placed on one or two teeth on one side of the lost one. The design is asymmetrical, and this is good — it replaces the teeth that are outermost in the row. Like crowns, bridges can rely not only on native teeth, but also on implants.In most cases, implants can be safely considered the best prostheses for replacing lost teeth:● You don't need to get used to them, like bridges or removable structures,● Implants can replace one tooth or the entire dentition,They do not change the contour of the gum and help to properly distribute the chewing load on the remaining teeth and jaw,● They last 20-40% longer than other non-removable prostheses, not to mention removable ones, Adjacent teeth are not sharpened and remain alive longer.Removable denturesWhen the budget or clinical situation (diabetes mellitus, diseases of the blood and temporomandibular joint, atrophy or defect of bone tissue, etc.) do not allow implants to be placed, the dentition is restored with removable orthopedic prostheses. They differ from non-removable ones in that the patient himself can take them off and put them on as needed.Clasp structuresThese are metal arch prostheses with hooks or locks. The designs can replace 3-5 teeth or more, do not change diction and do not interfere with eating, do not affect the gag reflex. They can leave a metallic taste, require grinding teeth and long-term habituation. They are inexpensive, slow down bone atrophy.Flexible prosthesesMore comfortable dentures made of nylon or polyurethane polymer. They are attached to the teeth with flexible hooks, and to the gum with an adhesive base. They are convenient for replacing a small segment of the dentition. Unfortunately, they do not inhibit the atrophy of the alveolar ridge, but they do not break like acrylic ones.Flexible prostheses are more often placed on areas that do not experience a large chewing load. Usually, this option of prosthetics is chosen by patients who have problems with clasp or plate (acrylic) structures.Quattro Ti ProsthesesQuadrotti prostheses can be considered a compromise between a clasp and nylon. These are structures made of flexible Dental-D plastic (according to the patent of Quattro Ti) with artificial crowns in the right places. Dentures are attached to the supporting teeth with plastic hooks. They are comfortable, easy to care for, but more expensive than flexible and buckled ones.Lamellar (acrylic) prosthesesThis is the most inexpensive dental replacement option. It is used to replace part of the teeth and the complete dentition on the upper and lower jaw. It does not require sharpening of living teeth and can redistribute the chewing load.Acrylic prostheses are designed for 5-8 years, are installed for permanent and temporary wear. Due to the rigid massive construction, they are not very comfortable - they are difficult to put on and fix tightly in the mouth. In theory, they should stick to the gums like a suction cup, but in reality, acrylic prostheses have to be fixed with special gels.In terms of reliability, durability and comfort, implants are the best option for prosthetics. But when the state of health and the budget for treatment limit the patient's capabilities, dentists offer alternative methods of removable or non-removable prosthetics. And even if they are inferior to implants in functionality, the doctor will always be able to choose the best possible.The information is for informational purposes only.