Dentures
Dentures as a dental prosthesis
Dentures for
Filling gaps between teeth
Dentures
Fill in any gaps with e.g. Tooth loss
Unfortunately, some people lose many or even all of their teeth over time. The resulting tooth gaps can no longer be closed by bridges once they reach a certain size. However, with a dental prosthesis tailored to the patient, the missing teeth can be replaced functionally and visually using modern technologies. Very different types of prostheses are used. All variants ensure that you can bite again and speak without any problems. Find out now about the options of a removable partial denture, an implant-supported denture or a classic full denture.
Everything at a glance
Table of contents
Alternative to dental bridges
Disadvantages of larger tooth gaps in the upper and lower jaw
If you have lost several teeth and the use of a bridge is no longer feasible, the resulting gaps in your teeth are almost impossible to conceal. Not even if they are located in the posterior molar region. In addition to the restrictions on eating and chewing, larger gaps between teeth have a negative impact on many people's everyday lives because they are no longer able to smile without gaps. Removable dentures and partial dentures provide a remedy. They serve as functional and aesthetically pleasing dentures. With a high-quality dental prosthesis from "smilin" that is precisely tailored to your needs, you will regain your complete smile - and with it an important part of your self-confidence.
A dental prosthesis acts as an artificial replacement for all or several missing teeth in the upper/lower jaw. The dentures can be removed from the mouth for cleaning and reinserted if necessary. In everyday language, a dental prosthesis is referred to as a denture. The aim is always to artificially replace lost teeth so that chewing, biting and speaking are possible again. A distinction is made between full dentures and partial dentures.
Definition of
What are dentures?
Possible treatments
What types of dentures are available?
Depending on the overall condition of the upper and lower jaw, the number and load-bearing capacity of the remaining natural teeth and the quality of the gums, different types of dentures are used in dentistry, some of which can be combined. They are described in the following sections.
Dentures
Full denture/total denture
Full or complete dentures are also known as classic dentures. Upper jaw prostheses cover the palate with a palatal plate made of plastic; the lower jaw prosthesis, on the other hand, has the shape of a horseshoe. Full dentures are recommended for patients who no longer have any teeth. They then replace the entire set of teeth, whereby the limited adhesion of the prosthesis to the mucous membrane is achieved exclusively through the suction effect of the saliva. If only very few remaining teeth are left and the use of bridges makes no sense, a full denture also provides a remedy.
A base element is required for the full denture or complete denture - a so-called denture saddle. This element made of metal or gum-colored plastic is used to attach the replacement teeth.
While the esthetics of a high-quality full denture are often convincing, quite a few patients need some time to get used to the extended construction. This manifests itself, for example, in the form of difficulty speaking, potential pressure points and unfamiliar or reduced taste sensations.
Dentures
Model casting prosthesis
MEG - the abbreviation for a model casting prosthesis - describes a simple, comparatively inexpensive and stable dental prosthesis. Removable partial dentures or partial dentures are particularly helpful for patients with good gum condition who are missing some teeth but still have natural teeth. This is because the remaining teeth serve as support for the model cast prosthesis: the finished prosthesis is shaped around the natural tooth abutments and fixed in place with retaining elements - usually clasps. This is why an MEG is also called a clasp prosthesis.
The model casting denture is based on a stable, biocompatible metal framework to which the artificial teeth are attached. The cast brackets are also made of a metal alloy.
Depending on requirements, the artificial teeth are made of plastic or ceramic. However, the one-sided load on the supporting teeth must be taken into account and checked regularly. In addition, there are sometimes visual limitations, as the staples can be visible from the outside in some designs.
Dentures
Telescopic prosthesis
As a removable partial denture, a telescopic denture avoids problems of acceptance and wearing comfort of full dentures and MEG due to its design. In contrast to the cast model prosthesis, which is fixed to the remaining teeth using clasps, the telescopic prosthesis is fixed in the patient's mouth using double crowns. This requires a primary metal crown - the so-called inner telescope - which is attached to a natural tooth. The secondary crown is called the outer telescope and is incorporated into the partial denture. Together with the complete denture, it is placed stably and reliably on the primary crown.
The fastening technology described makes it easy to clean the removable part of the prosthesis for the upper and lower jaw. In addition, the dentures are invisible from the outside, which has great aesthetic advantages for the wearer. If there are no teeth left at all, implants are first inserted in the edentulous jaw. The telescopic prosthesis is anchored on these implants using a secondary crown, as described above. This solution is therefore referred to as an implant-supported prosthesis. However, treatment with extra implants is more expensive than a classic full denture, for example, due to the increased effort involved.
Dentures
Attachment prosthesis
If several adjacent teeth are missing but there are still load-bearing abutment teeth next to the resulting gap, the attachment prosthesis can function as a tooth replacement. It closes the unpleasant gap inconspicuously. As a partial denture that can be removed for cleaning, an attachment denture replaces part of the denture. It is part of the combined, non-fixed dentures. The attachment prosthesis owes its name to the method of attachment: the attachment is a plug-in system that allows the denture to be attached to the existing teeth. The part that is attached to the prosthesis is called the female part. The so-called patrix, the counterpart, is connected to the marginal teeth of the tooth gap (abutment teeth) crowned by the dentist. It is also possible for implants to be used to secure the attachment prosthesis.
In addition to the invisible connection of the attachment from the outside, the easy handling and the secure, stable and comfortable character of the prosthesis when chewing, speaking and laughing are considered advantages. In addition, the palatal plate can often be dispensed with in the upper jaw. This type of prosthesis is usually localized in the edge or cheek area.
Dentures
Implant-supported prosthesis
If a patient has very few or no teeth left, implant-supported dentures can be an alternative to full dentures. Dental implants are anchored first. Implants are artificial tooth roots that are driven into the jawbone using screw movements. They enable a crown, a bridge or the anchoring of a dental prosthesis. For example, the telescopic prosthesis described above.
Comparison: Implant-supported prosthesis and full prosthesis
Implant-supported prosthesis
- Mostly used when the patient has many missing teeth and therefore large gaps between the teeth.
- Retention of the prosthesis by means of different methods (clasps, connector system) on newly placed implants.
- Can be removed.
Full denture
- Mainly used for (almost) completely missing teeth on the upper and/or lower jaw, replacement of the entire dentition.
- The prosthesis is held in place solely by the suction effect of the saliva on the mucous membrane.
- Can be removed.
Unfortunately, there is no general answer to the question of the duration of treatment for dentures. The cost depends on the patient's condition, the customized prosthesis to be fabricated and the effort involved. Depending on the degree of difficulty, it can take several sessions from the diagnosis to the finalized denture. The model casting prosthesis that can be fabricated most quickly usually requires three sessions. If you are interested, please contact us - we will be happy to provide you with information about the expected time window.
Duration
How long does the treatment for a denture take?
Procedure
What happens after a denture has been fitted?
Following the individual fabrication of a dental prosthesis, there is a familiarization phase, as the oral mucosa and muscles must gradually adapt to the foreign body in the mouth. It is normal that wearing palate-covering variants such as full dentures requires a certain adaptation time. Chewing, wearing and speaking are still unfamiliar at first. As part of our follow-up examinations, any pressure sensation, pain or other problems are recorded. If necessary, the denture is adjusted again or measures are taken in the oral cavity to increase wearing comfort.
The costs of dentures are covered by health insurance companies on a pro rata basis and therefore not in full. Instead, the health insurance companies pay a fixed allowance. The amount of this allowance depends on the dental condition, the type of prosthesis required and the current standard treatment. The health insurance subsidy for a dental prosthesis is usually between €340 and €440. The remaining financial outlay must be borne by the patient if no separate supplementary dental insurance has been taken out to cover (part of) the cost of the required dentures.
Assumption of costs
Are dentures covered by health insurance?
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Regain your smile, your healthy bite and your self-confidence. We will advise you competently and transparently if you are interested in the best possible dental prosthesis for your case. Simply make your personal appointment at the "smilin" dental practice by telephone or e-mail. We look forward to your visit.
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