The author of the article
Boris Lipovetskiy, DMD, 31 years experience
In this article, we’ll discuss various types of dental prosthetics. A dentist with over 30 years of experience will explain how to choose the right prosthetic for specific clinical situations. They will answer the most commonly asked questions, including:
What are Dental Prosthetics?
Dental prosthetics are designed to restore severely damaged teeth, replace missing ones, or provide a full mouth reconstruction. Prosthetics are used for patients who have lost teeth, which may have been removed due to injuries or dental diseases.
Restoring the Jawline is Necessary to:
- Restore full chewing function
Even if only one tooth is missing, a person may experience difficulties chewing food.
- Improve the aesthetics of the smile
People with missing teeth often feel self-conscious about smiling, talking, and taking photos.
- Prevent the shifting of remaining teeth and bone atrophy
Adjacent teeth gradually shift towards the empty space in the jaw. Without chewing forces, the alveolar ridge resorbs.
- Avoid premature aging of the face
Toothless individuals develop deep wrinkles, the corners of the mouth droop, and the cheeks and lips sink.
- Normalize speech
Teeth are part of the speech apparatus. Without them, a person may not articulate sounds clearly.
Various Types of Dental Prosthetics
Prosthetic devices differ in shape, purpose, material, and method of treatment. Some replace single missing teeth, while others restore an edentulous jaw. Consequently, the cost of different dental prosthetics also varies.
Complete dentures are used when there are no remaining teeth. They are made from thermoplastic materials. First, impressions of the jaws are taken. Based on these, a framework is cast that precisely matches the shape of the gums and palate (prosthetic bed).
Complete removable dentures are held in place by a suction effect. When the patient wears and bites down on the denture, air is expelled from underneath, creating a tight seal against the palate.
Types of Complete Removable Dentures:
- Acrylic – made from strong, rigid plastic. They handle moderately hard food well but often irritate soft tissues.
- Nylon – soft and flexible. Comfortable as they don't rub against the mucous membranes or apply pressure. However, their high flexibility doesn't allow for chewing tough food.
- Acry-Free – hypoallergenic. They are both flexible like nylon dentures and resilient like acrylic ones.
- Inexpensive
- Quick to manufacture
- Do not require surgical intervention
- Easy to adjust and repair
- Imitate the color, shape of gums, and teeth well
- Can shift and fall out
- Do not allow normal biting or chewing of hard food
- Transfer all chewing load to the prosthetic bed
- Accelerate resorption of jawbone
- Require frequent replacement due to breakage, base deformation
The cheapest option is acrylic dentures. However, they are uncomfortable and often split in half. Nylon dentures are more comfortable but very flexible, bending under the slightest pressure and frequently falling out. Therefore, this type of removable dental prosthetic is not recommended for the upper jaw, as it cannot adequately distribute pressure while chewing. Often, the best choice is Acry-Free dentures, which are superior in aesthetics, functionality, and comfort.
Schedule a consultation at ADW Center. Our doctors will conduct an examination and advise you on the most suitable prosthetic device. They will explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Partial Dental Prosthetics
Partial types of dental prosthetics are used when one, several, or most teeth are missing.
Fixed Types of Partial Prosthetics:
- Veneers
Thin plates that are applied to the front surface of teeth. Made from ceramics or zirconium dioxide. Designed for restoring incisors, canines, and first premolars.
- Crowns
Hollow ceramic or zirconium covers that completely encase teeth. They allow for the reconstruction of teeth with any degree of damage, even those broken at the root.
- Bridges
Prosthetics made of several fused crowns. The side crowns are fixed to adjacent teeth, while the central crowns replace 1-3 missing teeth.
Removable Types of Partial Prosthetics for the Lower and Upper Jaw:
- Thermoplastic Materials
Like complete removable dentures, these are made from acrylic, nylon, or Acry-Free materials. However, they feature plastic or metal hooks that clasp onto the supporting teeth.
- Cast Partial Dentures
Consist of plastic teeth, a gum edge, a metal framework, and retainers (clasps). Metal hooks clasp the supporting teeth, while the base imitates the missing teeth.
- Excellent at restoring the aesthetics of the dental row
- Transfer 1/3 to 1/2 of the chewing load to the supporting teeth
- Relatively inexpensive
- Decent lifespan: 5 to 10 years for different types
- Made from individual impressions, so they fit well to the surrounding tissues
- Fixed partial and cast partial dentures require preparation and depulpation of supporting teeth
- Removable prosthetics made from polymer materials are not securely fixed
- Removable prosthetics exert most of the pressure on the prosthetic bed, accelerating bone atrophy
Custom Dental Prosthetics
Custom dental prosthetics are made from high-quality materials based on impressions of the jaws. The process involves modern diagnostic and manufacturing technologies such as computer modeling, 3D printing, and CNC milling.
All types of custom dental prosthetics are indistinguishable from natural teeth in photos or in person. They fit perfectly with the jaw tissues and excellently restore the natural function and aesthetics of the dentition.
Contact ADW for Dental Restoration. With Us, You Will Receive:
- Extensive consultation with clear answers to all your questions regarding prosthetics.
- Quick restoration with our “teeth in a day” service.
- Thorough diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Safe prosthetics: we use modern biocompatible materials.
- Comfortable treatment: you won't feel any pain or discomfort during the procedures.
Implant-Supported Dental Prosthetics
Implant-supported dental prosthetics are fully non-removable. First, an artificial root, either titanium or zirconium, is screwed into the jaw. Then, the prosthesis is attached to it using connectors called abutments.
Implant-supported prosthetics can restore defects of any length. They can effectively replace one or several missing teeth and can also reconstruct an edentulous jaw using the All-on-4 or All-on-6 technology.
- The only types of prosthetics that prevent bone resorption
- Evenly distribute chewing load
- The most aesthetic
- Feel like natural teeth
- Very comfortable: do not rub, press, or fall out
- Easy to care for: do not require special hygiene products, cleaned like regular teeth
- Requires surgical intervention
- Prosthetics are performed in several stages, requiring time
The choice of the type of dental prosthesis for the upper or lower jaw primarily depends on the number of teeth lost. The table reflects the most common cases of different types of prosthetics:
| Clinical Picture | Recommended Type of Prosthesis |
|---|---|
| Severely damaged teeth with preserved healthy roots | Veneers for incisors and canines. Crowns – for premolars and molars. |
| 1-3 missing teeth | Bridges supported by natural teeth or implants. |
| Most teeth are missing | Partial removable prostheses: metal-based, acrylic, nylon, acetal. But the best option is implant-supported overdentures. |
| Completely edentulous jaw | Complete removable prostheses made of plastic. However, the best option is non-removable implant-supported prosthetics. |
Factors Influencing the Choice of Dental Prosthetics
A prosthodontist considers many factors when choosing a dental prosthesis. They pay attention to the number of missing teeth and the condition of the remaining ones. They assess the health of the gums and the volume of jawbone tissue. The patient's age, overall health, and ability to maintain good oral hygiene are also taken into account. Additionally, aesthetic requirements, comfort, and budget constraints are considered.
Patients may not be aware of all these aspects. Let’s focus our attention on a few key factors discussed below.
The comfort of prosthetics depends on the precision of their fabrication. It is crucial that the prosthodontist does not make any errors during the impression-taking process and that the dental technician is accurate during casting. Otherwise, the prosthesis will cause irritation, pressure, and difficulty in chewing. Excessive plaque buildup may also occur, leading to overloading of the temporomandibular joint and inflammation of the gums and oral mucosa.
The lifespan of different types of prosthetics depends on the materials they are made from. Acrylic and nylon prostheses last no more than 5 years. Ceramics and metal-ceramics last at least 10 years. Zirconium dioxide can last a lifetime.
Prosthetics should ideally mimic the shape and color of the gum line and natural teeth, even if they were removed long ago. Crowns and bridges made from ceramics and zirconium dioxide best meet these requirements. Non-removable partial or full prosthetics made from these highly aesthetic materials on implants also work well.
Dental insurance does not always cover prosthetics. The insurance company may not have a contract with the clinic you choose or may not fully reimburse the cost of certain types of dental prosthetics.
At Advanced Dental Wellness Center, we understand that paying for prosthetics can be challenging. That is why we offer the CareCredit financing system. With it, all our patients can receive quality dental care regardless of their insurance coverage.
You can learn more about the CareCredit system from the clinic administrator or your doctor. Visit us at ADW for a consultation. We will explain the nuances of prosthetics in detail, select a prosthesis according to your budget, and discuss payment options.
How to Care for Dental Prosthetics
Proper care for prosthetics is essential. It extends their lifespan and prevents oral diseases. For example, using a toothbrush with inappropriate bristle hardness can leave scratches on the base, leading to plaque buildup. This can result in candidiasis, stomatitis, and gingivitis.
Dentists' Recommendations for Prosthetic Care:
- Clean the prosthesis in the morning and evening of plaque and food debris. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste, or use orthodontic brushes and cleaning agents. Rinse the prosthesis thoroughly under running water after cleaning.
- Clean your real teeth daily using a regular toothbrush and toothpaste. Massage edentulous areas of the gums with two fingers for 5 minutes to improve blood circulation in the tissues.
- Place the prosthesis in a dry container overnight to allow the tissues of the gums and palate to rest and recover.
- Use a special cleaning bath, such as an ultrasonic or vibrating one, to remove hardened plaque. Clean the prosthesis in the bath with filtered water or with special chlorhexidine-based solutions or effervescent tablets.
- Have a professional cleaning at least once a year. The dentist will clean the prosthesis in an ultrasonic device and remove plaque from the remaining teeth and periodontal pockets. If the prosthetic base has changed shape, it will be adjusted.
When cleaning the prosthesis, hold it gently with two fingers in the middle. Do not grip the edges, as this may deform or crack the base.
FAQ
Non-removable dental prosthetics generally restore the aesthetics and functionality of the dentition better than removable ones. Therefore, they are preferred in most cases, except when temporary prosthetics are needed or when non-removable prosthetics cannot be placed due to contraindications. In such cases, removable ones are used.
Sources of information
- In brief: What types of dentures are available? Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006.
- Denture cleanliness and hygiene: an overview. Petros Mylonas, Paul Milward, Robert McAndrew.
- Comparison of Implant-Retained Overdenture and Conventional Complete Denture: A Survey Study to Measure Patients’ Satisfaction and Quality of Life in Dental School Clinics. Ahmad Kutkut, DDS, MS, PhD; Hannah Knudsen, PhD; Heather Bush, PhD; Jamie Studts, PhD. J Oral Implantol (2024) 50 (3): 266–276.
- A systematic review of studies comparing conventional complete denture and implant retained overdenture. Ahmad Kutkut, Elizangela Bertoli, Robert Frazer, Gitanjali Pinto-Sinai, Rodrigo Fuentealba Hidalgo, Jamie Studts.
- Longevity of complete dentures: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Marietta Taylor, BDSc, GDipPH; Mohd Masood, BDS, DDPH, MDPH, PhD; George Mnatzaganian, BSN, MMedSc, MPH, PhD.
- Flexible denture base material: A viable alternative to conventional acrylic denture base material. Singh, J. P.; Dhiman, R. K.; Bedi, R. P. S.; Girish, S. H.
