Prosthesis

What is a dental prosthetic?

Although nowadays more emphasis is given to good dental care and hygiene, it is still very frequent that some teeth may be missing. These gaps usually result in a poor cosmetic appearance and problems in chewing food and eating.

Solving these problems with a dental prosthesis is a relatively simple procedure that gives long lasting results. The first available prostheses were removable, but over time they have been modernized to make them fixed, and these later options are known as crowns and bridges.

Types of prosthesis

We usually have two main types of prosthesis:

• Removable prosthesis:
These dentures consist of a resin plate, in a colour mimicking the gums, to provide a base for the missing teeth (also made of resin). If it is not a complete denture it can also be made of a metal base to make it stiffer and allow for attachments to help secure the denture to the remaining teeth.

Removable prostheses require special care. It is recommended that you attend yearly revisions to ensure the base fits correctly. If a rebase is needed, the prosthesis is sent to the laboratory to be filled in with the same resin material to ensure it correctly adapts to normal changes in the gums and palette, thereby prevent ill-fitting and uncomfortable dentures.

To clean the removable dentures it is necessary to take them out of the mouth, brush them well and use products that kill bacteria and prevent the growth of yeasts and fungus. At Sermadent Dental Centres we will let you know the best products for your individual circumstances.
• Fixed (permanent) prosthesis:
These consist of a piece of metal which is coated with porcelain and supported by the remaining teeth, commonly known as crowns or bridges. As they are fixed in the mouth they cannot be removed for cleaning and should be cleaned as per regular teeth.

Bridges can be of several teeth, depending on the teeth that are missing and need replacing.

Advantages of dental prostheses

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• Replace missing teeth to avoid unsightly gaps
• Recover masticatory (chewing) function
• Easy to maintain
• Written warranty on both fixed and removable prostheses

Treatment step by step

Step 1: Preparation

For removable prostheses we need to ensure that the teeth that remain in the mouth are healthy and that no remnants of roots remain below the gum, which would need to be extracted. To do this we take a 2D X-Ray in our centres, which we offer you at no extra cost.

In the case of fixed prostheses, to prepare a bridge, as well as confirming that all is healthy, we need to file the teeth that act as the support (make them slightly smaller). As such we need to ensure these supporting teeth do not have any problems, sensitivity, or discomfort, as they will be completely covered by the bridge.

Once we are sure that the situation and preparation is optimum, our specialists proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Measurements and bite registration

The way measurements and bite registration are taken depends on the type of prosthesis that you need. For removable prosthesis we take impressions in different materials depending on the specific needs, which are then sent to the laboratory.

For fixed prostheses, bridges or crowns, we take these impressions using a 3D intraoral scanner. This scanner allows for great precision than previous models, as the laboratory receives digital information and more complete measurements. In some cases, we may also take a silicon (or other material) impression.

Step 3: Tests

Once the impressions are sent to the laboratory the manufacture of the prosthesis begins. For a better final result it is often necessary to perform some tests. Sometimes this may be a test of the metal structure, a bite test, or a cosmetic test. With these, we ensure that the prosthesis is adapted to the patient in the best way possible, that the patient is satisfied and thus avoiding problems at the end of the treatment.

Step 4: Placement and warranty

Once the prosthesis is finalised it is then placed in the mouth, and, for fixed prostheses, cemented in place. A cleaning kit and denture glue will be provided with all removable prostheses.

At Sermadent Dental Centres we also give you a written warranty for our treatments. All our removable prostheses are covered by our Gold Warranty for one year, and our fixed prosthesis are covered for two years with our Platinum Warranty. More information can be obtained in our centres.