What is a removable prosthesis?
The removable dental prosthesis is a treatment based on an external appliance that will serve to replace missing teeth and bone structures atrophied by the passage of time. They are oral appliances, carrying artificial teeth, which can and should be removed from the mouth to clean them more easily.
They are appliances that improve food chewing, oral esthetics and speech. Some of them are fastened over the natural teeth with rigid devices (retainers or “clasps”) and sometimes rest on the bone. Therefore, when biting, they are not as effective as the patient’s own natural teeth.
There are basically two types of removable prostheses:
- Dentures: This is a type of removable prosthesis that is attached to the gum and can also be attached to the patient’s remaining teeth. The advantages are that they are completely removable and hygiene is very easy.
- Implant-supported overdenture: This is another type of removable prosthesis that combines the osseointegrated implant support with the soft tissue of the jaw. The advantage is that it involves a lower implantation cost, compared to conventional implants. However, economically it is more expensive than dentures.
They are devices that improve food chewing, oral esthetics and speech.
Why is it done?
The placement of removable prostheses is recommended in cases of missing teeth to allow the patient to regain chewing function and aesthetics.
They are also recommended in cases where fixed prostheses cannot be applied, due to bone rejection of dental implants or other fixed structures, or for other health reasons.
They also involve a lower economic cost, which is why many people resort to this alternative.
What does it consist of?
The treatment consists of placing removable appliances or dental pieces in the patient’s mouth. To ensure maximum effectiveness and comfort when the patient begins to wear them, a preliminary study of the patient’s mouth and personal conditions is carried out. Thus, devices will be manufactured as similar as possible to the patient’s teeth in terms of size, color and shape. For this purpose, several tests will be carried out prior to the day of the fitting.
Preparation for the removable prosthesis
Four phases will be carried out prior to the fitting of the removable prosthesis and the restoration of the patient’s teeth:
- Examination of the patient’s personal conditions and needs. In this process, preliminary treatments are also decided before designing the prosthesis: extraction of affected pieces, correction of the mandibular bone, etc. The objective is to prepare the oral cavity for the subsequent placement of the prosthesis.
- Design of the prosthesis, according to its position, the bite of the jaws, the functionality of mastication and movements during speech.
- Implantation of the prosthesis
- Treatment and follow-up
Care after the intervention
Removable prostheses are not only devices, but also transmit forces to the teeth, gums and bones, which is why they require special adaptation care, which varies according to the person and the type of prosthesis.
Although the patient will eventually get used to wearing the prosthesis and will even forget that he/she is wearing it, it is necessary to be patient at the beginning, going to the dentist to adapt and correct anything that may be uncomfortable.
It is important to note that, at the beginning, the patient:
- Will notice a strange sensation that will gradually disappear.
- Will produce more saliva than normal, which will gradually normalize, too.
- Will notice less taste perception, which will recover with time.
- You may vocalize and pronounce worse, due to the space occupied by the prosthesis. It is recommended to read aloud or talk in front of a mirror to practice.
- You may bite your cheeks and tongue easily.
- You will notice tightness or pain in the teeth and gums, especially when biting food and closing the mouth, which will disappear with time.
On the other hand, maintaining proper care of the denture will influence its durability and oral health. Therefore, it is recommended to:
- Brush dentures daily. Also the tongue and gums.
- When the denture is not being used, it should be kept in a solution for dentures and water, to prevent it from becoming deformed.
- It should be used with care.
- If it loosens, breaks or cracks, you should consult a specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology.
Alternatives to this treatment
Nowadays there are treatments that can replace missing teeth and it does not necessarily have to be through removable prosthesis. Some of them are:
- Dental implants: they can be of two types, titanium and zirconium. The advantages of titanium implants are that they are easily manipulated and are quite hard. They are also very compatible with the body. Regarding zirconium, it is a very hard and resistant material. It is also white in color, which simulates the original teeth. It is essential to maintain proper dental hygiene to extend its duration.
- All on four technique in which ceramic crowns are placed when there is moderate bone loss and the prostheses do not hold.
- Zygomatic implants are used when the bone has almost completely disappeared. In this case, longer implants are used and placed in the zygomatic bone. In addition, it allows the patient to enjoy them immediately.