Prosthetic Treatments in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Overview

Prosthetic treatments in dentistry have come a long way in recent years. With advances in technology and materials, dental professionals are now able to offer patients a range of options for replacing missing or damaged teeth. From dentures and bridges to implants and crowns, there are many different treatments available depending on the individual needs of the patient. A lot of people are using dental prostheses in our country and around the world. The number of patients using complete or partial dentures grow every day. These kinds of removable prostheses help gain back the esthetic look as well as facilitate function (chewing) and phonation (speech).

Dental prostheses are much more easily adjustable prostheses as opposed to other types of prostheses in the body. Despite being seen as the most tissue-compatible prostheses regarding esthetics and function, an adjustment period for the cheeks, lips, temporomandibular joint, tongue, and brain is needed after prostheses are manufactured. During this period, issues are easily handled by cooperating with your dentist.

One of the most popular prosthetic treatments in dentistry is dental implants. These are artificial teeth that are anchored into the jawbone, providing a strong and durable replacement for missing teeth. Implants are a great option for patients who want a long-term solution that looks and feels like natural teeth. They are also a good choice for patients who are missing multiple teeth, as several implants can be placed to support a bridge or denture.

Another common prosthetic treatment is dentures. These are removable appliances that are custom-made to fit the patient's mouth. Dentures can be used to replace a few missing teeth or a full arch of teeth. They are a good option for patients who are not candidates for implants or who prefer a removable solution. With advances in materials and technology, dentures are now more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before.

Types of Dental Prostheses

Various types of dental prostheses can be used to replace missing teeth. Some of the most common prostheses include:

•            Implant-supported dental prosthesis: These are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone. They provide a stable base for a dental crown, bridge, or denture.

•            Dental bridges: These are fixed prostheses that are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth that are anchored to the adjacent natural teeth.

•          Removable dentures: These are removable prostheses that are used to replace multiple missing teeth. They can be complete (replacing all teeth in one or both jaws) or partial (replacing only some teeth).

Materials Used in Prosthetics

Prosthetic dentistry involves the use of various materials to create dental prostheses that are durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Some of the most commonly used materials include:

•            Porcelain: This material is often used to create dental crowns and bridges because of its durability and natural appearance.

•            Acrylic resin: This material is commonly used to create denture bases because of its strength and ability to be easily adjusted.

•            Titanium: This material is often used to create implants because of its biocompatibility and ability to fuse with the jawbone.

Overall, prosthetic dentistry plays a crucial role in restoring oral function and improving the quality of life for patients with missing teeth.

Clinical Applications

Single-Tooth Replacements

In such cases where patients have lost a single tooth due to trauma or decay, prosthetic treatments can be a great option for restoring their smile and oral function. Single-tooth replacements can be achieved through the use of dental implants, bridges, or dentures.

Dental implants are a popular choice for single-tooth replacements as they provide a permanent solution that looks and functions like a natural tooth. The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, and a crown is attached to the top of the implant. The crown is custom-made to match the patient's natural teeth, ensuring a seamless integration.

Bridges and dentures are also effective options for single-tooth replacements. A bridge is a prosthetic material that is attached to the adjacent teeth, filling the gap left by the missing tooth.

Full Arch Rehabilitation

In cases where a patient has lost most or all of their teeth, full arch rehabilitation can be a life-changing solution. This treatment involves the use of dentures or dental implants to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

Dentures are a cost-effective option for full arch rehabilitation, and they can be custom-made to fit the patient's mouth perfectly. While they may take some time to get used to, modern dentures are comfortable and can provide excellent function and aesthetics.

Dental implants are a more permanent solution for full arch rehabilitation. They are surgically placed into the jawbone, and a full arch of prosthetic teeth is attached to the implants. This option provides a natural-looking and functioning set of teeth that can last for many years with proper care.

In conclusion, prosthetic treatments can be a great option for restoring oral function and aesthetics in patients who have lost one or more teeth. Whether it's a single-tooth replacement or full arch rehabilitation, there are a variety of options available to suit each patient's needs and budget.

Partial and Complete Removable Prostheses (Dentures)

Removable dentures have been applied for many years to battle edentulism caused by wholesome or partial teeth loss. These kinds of prostheses are supported by both teeth and the edentulous areas. The stability of these dentures varies according to the supporting teeth and tissue. Complete dentures can't get support from the teeth due to edentulism. While complete dentures withstand gravity thanks to the vacuum effect, the mobility of tongue, cheek, and lip muscles negatively affects the stability of prostheses. Mandibular dentures will become less mobile in the mouth by the adjustment of muscles to the prostheses in time and increase in muscle tone. If removable denture treatment is chosen in the case of partially missing teeth, support is gained from the teeth by utilizing crochets and sensitive retainers for gaining more stable dentures. The most important advantages of these prostheses are their price and short manufacturing times. Their disadvantages are tooth decay due to supporting teeth erosion by the crochets, supporting tissue destruction due to excessive force on the teeth, jawbone osteolysis due to insufficient amount of applied force to the jawbone, and the requirement of removing the dentures overnight.