Dental prosthesis treatment helps people restore the aesthetically disrupted structure of the teeth and achieve a better appearance by filling in the missing teeth. This does not only provide a better look but also restores the functions of teeth.
Therefore, the quality of life of patients and self-confidence improve. Prosthetic teeth are specially manufactured for each patient after a thorough examination of the mouth and teeth structure.
These prostheses can be designed to be used by fixing them in the mouth, as well as to be easily removed and inserted into the mouth.
What is Dental Prosthesis?
People can resort to the Dental Prosthesis method to replace the teeth that they lost due to damage or discomfort caused by various things in the teeth or gums. Prosthetic teeth are prepared specifically for each patient according to their jaw and teeth structure.
Thanks to prosthetic teeth, people regain their teeth, which are the first part of the digestive system, and continue to perform the chewing movement correctly and properly.
It may take several months for people who have prosthetic teeth to get used to these teeth. During this time, people may experience certain discomfort until they get used to their new teeth. They may experience situations such as feeling awkward especially while chewing and being unable to relax during a conversation. Prosthetic teeth can create a feeling of looseness or fullness in the mouth at first.
After the familiarization period is completed, patients do not face any discomfort or other situations in any way and dental prosthesis starts to feel exactly like natural teeth.
Turkey is one of the countries that are popular for medical tourism, especially, for dental procedures. By choosing to get treated in Turkey, you can get treated and enjoy your stay in İstanbul at the same time.
Dental Prosthesis Definition
A dental prosthesis is a treatment method used to prevent oral and dental problems caused by missing one or more teeth.
Maxillary Dental Prosthesis
Maxillary dental prostheses are screw-type structures that are placed into the jawbone to act as a tooth root. This method helps to eliminate dental deficiencies, imitate the root of the tooth, and provide a base for prosthetics to place.
Dental Prosthesis Crown
Dental implants consist of two parts and are made of titanium-based material. The bottom part of the implants is the root part, and the other is its upper layer, which forms the visible part of the prosthesis.
At the beginning of the treatment, the root part that forms the basis of the implant is inserted into the mouth. The time it will take for the root piece to fully fit into place varies from patient to patient. This period is on average from 3 to 5 months. Until the expiration of this period, the patient remains toothless in this area.
During the wait between 3 and 5 months, if sufficient bone fusion has been achieved, the upper part of the implant is performed this time. This part is called the “crown” of the dental prosthesis since it is the top part that is visible from the outside.
Dental Fixed Prosthesis
Fixed prosthesis application is the process of replacing missing teeth using materials similar to tooth tissue and color. It gives the patient a natural tooth appearance and functionality. It is the most preferred prosthetic application and can only be removed by a surgical operation.
For a fixed prosthesis to be applied, there must be at least two strong and long-rooted teeth at both ends of the toothless area to provide support to the prosthesis. This application is called a hyperlink. However, fixed prostheses can also be applied to a single tooth or a dental implant.
Swallowed Dental Prosthesis
Although it may sound a bit unrealistic at the beginning, dental prostheses are among the most common unintentionally swallowed objects, especially removable ones. There is no need to panic in most cases because the swallowed dental prosthesis often passes through the digestive system without a problem and is then thrown out of the body rectally. The average time needed for the prosthesis to get out is usually 4 to 6 days after the prosthesis arrives in the stomach.
However, patients should inform their doctors about the situation and get the necessary tests done to be able to fully evaluate the situation. After the situation is examined thoroughly, doctors would decide on the best solution.
Total Prosthesis Dental
Full dental prostheses are movable prostheses that are placed on the lower and upper jaws with tissue support in cases where all teeth have been lost due to carious, trauma, bone resorption, etc.
In total prostheses, the fullness of the lips and cheeks can be increased with a prosthesis to make the face look younger. In addition, it is also possible to ensure a beautiful smile by arranging all the teeth in accordance with the aesthetic rules.
Dental Prosthesis Repair
Dental prosthesis repair is the process of repairing fractures and cracks that occur due to the deformation of the prostheses applied to the patient over time. It helps patients with dentures to take the necessary care and to use their dentures for a longer period.
After a certain period, dentures may face several conditions, such as breakage, or wear. If the color changes or fractures occur, it is necessary to perform the necessary restoration procedures with the support of specialist physicians.
Different Types of Dental Prosthesis
There are two different types of dental prostheses. These dental prosthesis types are movable prostheses and fixed prostheses.
Fixed dental prostheses cannot be removed at the request of the patient after they are placed in the mouth. Usually, fixed dental prostheses are preferred if there are only a few teeth missing in the mouth.
Fixed dental prostheses can be produced with different materials. Their service life changes according to the material from which they are made.
On the recommendation of dentists and at the request of patients, it is decided from which material the fixed dental prosthesis will be manufactured. Zirconium and laminate are two materials that patients can choose from.
Zirconium is a material that has shades of white. It is the most preferred material for fixed dental prostheses. Prosthetic teeth obtained from zirconium material are very important from a functional and aesthetic point of view, as well as their robustness.
The laminate material is manufactured by gluing porcelain in the form of thin sheets on the front side of the teeth. The laminate dental prosthesis is applied only to the front teeth. This type of prosthesis is used in treatments such as the treatment of dental fractures, color, and stains on the teeth.
On the other hand, movable dental prostheses, as the name implies, are prostheses that patients can remove and replace if they want. It is the dental prosthesis treatment that is preferred if there are not enough natural teeth in the mouth. There are different types of movable prostheses such as total prostheses, partial dentures, immediate prosthetics, and prostheses on implants.
Total prostheses treatment is used when there are no teeth left in the mouth of the patient. Special prostheses are designed separately for the lower and upper jaw. Total dentures made of acrylic are usually also known as dentures.
Partial Dentures, also called hook prostheses, are a form of treatment that is used if there are a large number of missing teeth in the mouth.
Immediate prostheses are applied to eliminate the aesthetic disadvantage that occurs if the natural teeth are pulled out or lost for any reason.
In cases where there is a deficiency in the number of teeth located in the mouth, the screws which are called implants are placed in the jawbone. Then, prosthetic teeth are placed on these implants.
You can gett all types of dental implants in Turkey.
Flipper Dental Prosthesis
Flipper dental prostheses, also known as prostheses with an acrylic base, are a type of temporary prosthesis that can be used to fill in the gaps in your smile. These prostheses consist of a retainer with one or more prosthetic teeth and are usually used when the front teeth are missing. They fit on the roof of the patient’s mouth (palate) or the lower jaw and have one or more prosthetic teeth attached to them.
Complete Dental Prosthesis
Complete dental prostheses are removable devices that are used to replace lost teeth. These dental prostheses are made of porcelain or acrylic on an acrylic base. Partial dentures are also produced similarly, but complete dentures cover all teeth, while partial dentures are used to replace some missing teeth.
Dental Prosthesis for Sleep Apnea
Currently, the most effective treatment used to treat sleep apnea is prostheses. A special prosthesis to treat sleep apnea is used only when sleeping. It is placed on the teeth like a boxer’s mouthguards, positioning the lower jaw in front thus opening the airway that is blocked by the sagging of the tongue and palate. This prevents snoring and sleep apnea. The success rate in patients using these prostheses is 90-95%.
Since these special prostheses position the lower jaw in a forward position during sleep, it prevents snoring and sleep apnea even in patients whose lower jaw is small and behind. The prosthesis is used only during the treatment period.
Dental Prosthesis Technology
Dental prosthesis technology is a higher education program offered by many universities. It trains technicians that are experts in producing prosthesis and also get involved in research that aim to produce the highest quality and natural-like prosthetic teeth.
Dental Implant Hybrid Prosthesis
Hybrid prosthesis treatment starts with placing at least 4 implant screws in the mouth. Then, an acrylic base connected with the gums is prepared and is attached to the teeth. After that, the prostheses are integrated with the palate, and it is fixed by attaching them to implant screws.
So, it could be said that this treatment method is a mixture of fixed and movable prostheses methods.
Dental Prosthesis Cleaning
Cleaning of removable dentures is carried out with some cleaning agents. Prostheses are cleaned using a tablet placed in water. If there is no cleaning agent available during cleaning, prosthetic cleaning can be done with a toothbrush or prosthetic brush.
In addition, existing natural teeth can be cleaned after removing a removable denture from the mouth and then be replaced after the cleaning is done. However, in total prosthetics, it is enough for the patient to remove and rinse the teeth.
The denture should be cleaned daily. Daily cleaning should be done to prevent the formation of food debris, plaque, and tartar, which may cause the following problems:
- Problems with appearance and aesthetics
- Bad breath
- Infection that occurs in the mouth
- Irritation of the tissue located under the prosthesis
In addition, prosthetic teeth should be brushed especially before going to bed. Special prosthetic brushes or regular toothbrushes can be used for brushing. From time to time, dentures should be kept in special prosthetic fluids. After keeping them in special fluids, the prostheses should be washed before use because they are exposed to chemicals.
Prosthetic Teeth
Patients may lose their teeth due to various oral and dental problems. Due to the lost teeth, functions such as chewing, and speaking may be affected, and aesthetic appearance problems may occur.
Prosthetic teeth placement is a treatment method developed to replace missing teeth. The purpose of prosthetic teeth is:
- Replacement of missing functions due to lack of teeth
- Correction of speech disorders of intraoral origin
- Correction of chewing problems
- Elimination of cosmetic appearance deficiency caused by dental problems