Prosthodontics is the specialty, framed within Dentistry, whose mission is to restore a patient’s missing teeth or repair those that are damaged.
This objective is achieved by resorting to dental prostheses, which we define as any artificial piece that replaces a part of the human body.
This would include treatments in the area of implantology, but also those aimed at improving dental esthetics, such as veneers.
However, in this article we are going to focus on classifying dental prostheses whose purpose is to restore functionality to the mouth.
It is important for patients to know the differences and benefits of one type of prosthesis versus another, since each one is designed to cover a specific need.
Moreover, not all of them are suitable for all cases.
How many types of dental prostheses are there?
There are two essential factors that are important to evaluate in order to recommend one treatment or another to patients.
On the one hand, the number of teeth to be replaced.
If the prosthesis is going to be fixed or removable.
We are going to make a first classification of prostheses, indicating in each typology what they consist of.
Fixed prostheses
When a person wears a fixed prosthesis it means that the implant, crown or the element in question is permanently attached to the oral cavity.
In the vast majority of cases, the patient forgets that he or she has an artificial tooth, since it acts like a natural tooth and allows the patient to recover his or her ability to chew effectively and comfortably.
There is a wide variety of fixed prostheses:
Single implant
This is possibly the treatment that patients are most familiar with.
However, it causes some confusion and sometimes people do not know exactly what an implant is.
It is a screw made of titanium that is inserted into the jawbone, as it restores the root of the natural tooth.
Dental implant
Enlarge image
DENTAL IMPLANT
Another element is the crown, but this artificial tooth -which can be made of zirconium or other materials- is not part of the implant as such.
With proper care in terms of hygiene and lifestyle habits, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
How is an implant placed?
Since it is a prosthesis that replaces the root, it is obvious that before placing the implant it is necessary to remove the tooth, if there is one.
The professional implantologist examines the patient’s mouth to determine if there are any biological complications that would prevent the placement of the prosthesis.
Once the health of the oral cavity has been verified, the operation is performed.
This intervention is completely painless for the person and after removing the stitches, it is usually necessary to wait about 3 months until the osseointegration of the implant is complete.
During this time, the patient can wear a temporary cover so that the aesthetics of your smile is not affected at any time.
ASK FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A FREE ESTIMATE
Dental bridge
Dental bridges are structures made up of several shells.
Although aesthetically it has a very similar result to a crown on implants, bridges rest on the adjacent teeth.
It is therefore essential to substantially reduce their volume so that the caps fit correctly and do not protrude.
The survival of bridges compared to dental implants is lower, precisely because they are fixed to the remaining teeth with a resin and not with a screw.
Hybrid prosthesis
This type of treatment is indicated for patients who are totally edentulous, that is, who do not have any teeth.
Hybrid dental prostheses offer a complete oral rehabilitation of the upper or lower arch and are screwed onto the implants previously inserted in the patient’s jaw.
This prosthesis can not only replace the teeth, but also part of the periodontal tissue of the person, as needed.
Complete oral rehabilitation
Enlarge image
HYBRID DENTAL PROSTHESIS
Removable dental prostheses
On the other hand, there are prostheses that are not fixed and the patient can remove them at home.
This facilitates hygiene although they do not provide the functionality of fixed prostheses.
Complete prosthesis
This is the lifelong removable denture that is usually worn by elderly people with total edentulism.
It has a mucosal support, that is, it rests directly on the gum and jawbone.
The purpose of a dental prosthesis is to restore functionality and esthetics to the smile, whether it is fixed or removable.
To ensure its fastening, it is necessary to resort to pharmacy products such as adhesive films or a fixing paste.
Even so, its stability has many limitations and it is necessary for a period of adaptation to elapse until the patient gets used to eating and talking with it.
Overdenture on implants
It looks very similar to conventional dentures, although in this case it is a semi-fixed implant-supported prosthesis.
To place it, a series of implants must first be inserted in the patient’s oral cavity.
Thus, it is attached to the bone thanks to an anchorage system called locator, with male and female.
Its main advantage over the standard overdenture is that the attachment is much greater due to the presence of the implants, and it is also removable.
Semi-fixed dental prosthesis
Enlarge image
OVERDENTURE ON IMPLANTS
Removable partial denture
Finally, this type of dental prosthesis, also known as skeletal, replaces missing teeth.
It is therefore suitable for patients with partial edentulism.
It has a set of metal clasps that serve to attach to the adjacent teeth.
How much does a dental prosthesis cost?
We have already seen that there are different dental prostheses, each with benefits and drawbacks and that solve specific problems for each patient.
It is essential to take into account a series of factors that will influence the price of the treatment.
The type of dental prosthesis
When comparing budgets, it is important to note that the price of an overdenture cannot be compared to that of an implant.
The first does not require any type of intervention, while to place an implant a person must undergo surgery.
Likewise, the state of the person’s oral cavity will have an impact on the development of the treatment.
Having a small amount of bone, needing sinus lift surgery or having a periodontal disease can make the treatment difficult or even be the reason for its failure.
Therefore, the dentist must make an initial evaluation of the mouth and ensure your dental health.
The specialization of the professional
The doctors who work in our clinic are dedicated exclusively to their specialty.
We are specialists in Implantology
Enlarge image
DR. Alberto Wintergerst
At DrAW Clinic we have implantologists and prosthodontists, not general dentists who participate in all treatments, no matter how different they may be.
This specialty is achieved thanks to their continuous training, taking official master’s degrees in their area of knowledge.
Therefore, depending on the stage of your treatment, you will be able to count on the opinion and assessment of several dentists.
Technical resources
Technology in the field of dentistry has not stopped advancing, giving the patient optimal and more lasting results.
In our clinic we have the latest technical means that allow us to speed up the time in the interventions, work with more precision and improve the postoperative period of the patients.
One of the examples is guided surgery, a very minimally invasive technique for the placement of dental implants.
Make sure you receive a complete estimate and guarantees of success.
This is an indispensable point to know what the real price of a treatment is.
Many dental clinics with unadvisable practices use prices as hooks that distort reality.
For example, they offer single dental implants for 300 euros.
It is advisable to be wary of this type of amount, as a prosthesis of this type can cost between 1,000 and 1,500, all inclusive.
Do not discard a treatment only because of the price and think about the long-term benefits.
That is to say, in the first offer they only say the price of the titanium screw, without taking into account surgery, crown placement, revisions, etc.
Prostheses are fixed or removable.
Enlarge image
DENTAL PROSTHESIS
Likewise, the price of a complete implant placement in a person with a healthy mouth is not the same as in a person without enough bone to require a previous intervention.
At DrAW Clinic we guarantee the maintenance and care of the implants and the rest of the prosthesis in perfect condition during the first 5 years.
In our total price, we include:
Implantological study
Implant surgery
Suture removal
Tests for crown or prosthesis adaptation
Impressions of the definitive crown
Visits during treatment
Visits of revision at 3, 6 and 12 months after the end of the treatment.
Replacement of the implant and crown in case of failure for 5 years.
Now that you know all the types of dental prostheses on the market and what you should look at to compare prices, you can decide which one is best for you according to your case.
Which option suits you best to recover the functionality and aesthetics of your mouth?
Remember that you can call us and make an appointment with us.
We will give you a complete and free diagnosis in your first visit.
