PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY

A posterior missing tooth is a frequent occurrence in a mouth. The most common choice to replace a posterior single tooth is a fixed partial denture or most commonly called   bridge.. Your dentist will have to reduce the volume of the adjacent teeth and give them the desired shape for the bridge to fit in and look as natural as possible. FPD are made of :

1. Metal fused on porcelain PFM where the framework is metal and are very strong and suitable for posterior prosthetics.
2. Full ceramic porcelain bridges: there is no metal framework. Nowadays  due to the latest materials and machinery these are suitable for both anterior and posterior teeth when we need premium aesthetic result and for people that have allergies in metal. They cost more than the PFMs but the esthetic result compensates the price.

When there are multible teeth missing and there are no back teeth to use as abutments  for a FPD the RPD is an option. Restore all your missing teeth on one removable appliance. The RPD may be a full acrylic appliance with clasps that connect with your teeth or it may have a metal frame work coated with acrylic (gum-colored plastic) with metal clasps. Crowns are recommended on your natural teeth that will hold the clasps for better fit and also to protect them from the clasps.  Precision attachment  also can be   used which offer more esthetic result than the metal clasps. Precision attachments are small “buttons” that are built-in the crown and RPD as male-housing so the metal part will not show but they cost more. RPD is the choice for people who want a quick and affordable solution.

Telescopic Denture

Hybrid removable denture or sleeves with crown prosthesis or over-lay prosthesis are diferent names of a version of a RPD. Instead of the clasps or precision attachments we use the teeth as an ankorage of the denture. In this manner we preserve the remaining teeth  and help in conservation of the bone. We use all or some of the remainig teeth and cover them with a metal framework (fullmetal crown). On the body of the removable denture there is a metal  connector that will pair with that tooth offering high retention and esthetic results. The only disadvantage of this appliance is the cost because the framework must be made of precious metal (gold).

Overdenture on locators

In cases that  there is enough bone only in the front area of the mandible or maxilla to place two to four implants, then an overdenture supported on locator attachments can offer excellent retention of the denture. Locators are small metal “buttons” that are screwed on the implant (male) and the housing part on the denture providing easy sitting of the denture by the patient.

Is the choice for the completely edentulous patient who does not want or cannot afford an implant supported prosthesis. The procedure is simple but it takes a few appointments to go through all the needed steps for a succesfull denture which will stay immobile in the mouth.