What is a fixed prosthesis?
A fixed prosthesis is an appliance made to fit the patient’s mouth, with one or several dental pieces, which is placed to replace the loss of teeth.
There are basically two types of fixed dental prostheses:
- Fixed prosthesis on teeth: The prosthesis is attached to the patient’s healthy teeth, achieving great support and firmness. The only disadvantage is that it is necessary to damage the teeth to get the prosthesis to hold properly.
- Fixed prosthesis on dental implants: The prosthesis is attached to one or more titanium implants, which act as the root of the tooth. The prosthesis, either a crown or a bridge with various pieces, is attached to these implants.
However, fixed prostheses can also be classified according to their shape:
- Crowns: These are commonly known as “caps”. They are individual prostheses of a single tooth that are placed on the patient’s tooth previously carved, or on the dental implant. They are manufactured in a completely handmade way, taking the exact measurements of the patient and adapting it to the color and shape of the rest of the patient’s teeth, so that it is as similar as possible to the rest of the mouth. There are metal-ceramic crowns and all-ceramic crowns.
- Dental bridges: Used to replace at least one tooth. It consists of a minimum of three pieces, two of which would be retainers and which are cemented to the natural teeth, which act as abutments and support the bridge. The rest of the bridge pieces, which only replace the others, are called pontics.
- Dentures: This is a prosthesis that is screwed onto the dental implants and completely replaces the teeth. It is made of a computer-designed metal reinforcement on which an artificial gingiva and a prefabricated veneer with a type of composite will be placed. The advantages are that there is no palate and they are esthetic.
A fixed prosthesis is an appliance made to fit the patient’s mouth.
Why is it made?
Fixed prostheses are used to replace missing teeth, providing the patient with a fixed dental piece with which he/she will be able to chew and speak normally, performing the same functions as a normal tooth.
What does it consist of?
It consists of placing, by a specialist in dentistry and stomatology, a dental piece tailored to the patient’s mouth, to replace a missing tooth.
The process of placing the prosthesis will depend on the type of prosthesis:
- Fixed prosthesis on teeth: The process by which the prosthesis is applied on the teeth consists of grinding and grinding down in width and height the teeth, forming what is called a “stump”, so that, subsequently, the prosthesis can be fitted on them and thus cement it and achieve a lasting hold. The advantages are its support and firmness. The disadvantages are that it is necessary to grind the tooth.
- Fixed prosthesis on dental implants: The prosthesis is fixed on the titanium implant, which acts as a dental root, and on which the crown or bridge will be placed.
Preparation for the fixed prosthesis
The preparation for the fixed prosthesis session will depend on the type of prosthesis to be placed. Normally it does not require special procedures. However, if it is a fixed prosthesis on the natural tooth, the patient must take into account that during the first session they will file and lower their natural teeth, so that after this session they may feel strange, with significant dental sensitivity.
Care after the fixed prosthesis intervention
The care after the intervention depends on the type of prosthesis to be placed on the patient. In the case of fixed prostheses on natural teeth, after the first session the patient should eat soft and warm food, neither hot nor cold, because he/she may feel sensitivity.
Once the prosthesis has been placed, whether it is on the tooth or on the implant, it should be taken into account that it is not a natural tooth, so the sensitivity with it will not be the same as with a normal tooth. In this sense, it is important to emphasize that excessive pressure should not be applied. In addition, excessively hard foods, such as nuts or similar, are not recommended, nor are they too hot or too cold.