Dental Prosthesis
Have you lost one or more teeth? Your dental surgeon may recommend dental prostheses. Dental prostheses are useful to repair or replace broken or missing teeth. This device will do more than improving your smile. Indeed, missing teeth may affect your chewing and increase the risk of gum diseases. It can also alter the bone health of your jaw and affect your other teeth. There are fixed prostheses and removable prostheses (partial or full).
Learn more about the design of a dental prosthesis, its maintenance, and each type of prosthesis that exists.
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The design of a dental prosthesis
Having dental prostheses put in generally requires several appointments, starting with the taking of impressions, one or more aesthetic fittings, and finally, placing the dental prosthesis in the mouth.
What are the types of dental prostheses?
There are several types of dental prostheses. They can be made from acrylic resin or porcelain.
1. Fixed prostheses
Fixed dental prostheses, such as crowns or bridges, are a type of implant that remain attached to the tooth.
Crowns fully cover the adjacent teeth that support them. They are used when a tooth is broken or devitalized following a root canal. If the natural structure of the tooth is destroyed, it will be necessary to manufacture a pivot that will be fixed to your jawbone to support the dental crown.
Bridges are used to connect two remaining teeth together by adding a suspended tooth.
2. Removable prostheses
Removable dental prostheses can be removed from the mouth at any time. For example, they can be removed when sleeping or for their daily maintenance. There are full and partial prostheses.
Full removable prostheses, commonly known as removable dentures, can replace all the teeth. They are used when there are no longer any natural teeth. There are also dentures only for the upper or lower jaw. These can be supported by dental implants when the patient wishes for maximum stability and better masticatory function.
Partial removable prostheses (removable partial dentures) are used when the neighbouring teeth are not strong enough to support a traditional bridge or when the patient’s budget is limited. They can be used to replace one or more artificial teeth. They can also be used to improve chewing strength or phonetics.
It is also possible to have a dental prosthesis on implants put in. A screw that replaces the missing tooth root is implanted in the gum bone. Then, the new tooth prosthesis just has to be installed there.
The maintenance of your removable dental prosthesis
To prevent the accumulation of tartar, plaque and dental health risks, the prostheses must be regularly maintained. Clean them often in water to remove all the food. Brush all the surfaces of your dental prosthesis, including under the hooks, because bacteria tend to get lodged there.
Always remove your prostheses at night before going to bed. Put them in warm water overnight, never hot water. When you remove your prosthetic teeth, brush and massage your gums. If your toothbrush irritates your gums, rinse it in hot water to soften the bristles.
Check your prosthesis for cracks. If there are any, go to your dentist to have your dental prosthesis repaired. Your mouth changes constantly, so you should make sure to have your prostheses adjusted regularly so that they are well suited to your mouth.
Contact us if you want to make an appointment to have a dental prosthesis put in or if you want more information about your general dentistry care.
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