Dental implant applications are based on filling the gaps that occur due to tooth loss. The aim is to replace the lost hard and soft tissues and sometimes to preserve the existing hard and soft tissues. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to the question “Which is the best prosthesis?” in prosthesis science. The type of prosthesis suitable for the patient’s mouth differs from person to person. The question that should be here should be ‘Which is the most suitable prosthesis for my mouth’. Because the best decision in this regard is determined by the physician of the person.
Full Partial Prostheses ( Palate, Hooked, Crocheted Prostheses)
These are prostheses that come to the fore in the absence of all or some of the teeth in the mouth. In these cases, full (total) dentures (dentures = palate teeth) are preferred. In cases where all natural teeth are lost due to gum disease, extensive caries or trauma, complete dentures are the treatment alternative for replacing lost teeth and tissues. It is a classical and traditional method. Its retention in the mouth is obtained by the vacuum force obtained from the soft tissues. In addition, in case of partial or total tooth deficiencies, if there are losses in hard and soft supporting tissues as well as tooth tissue loss, movable clasp (hook) or sensitive retainer (with snap fastener) dental prostheses are made. For example; In cases where there is no tooth to support the bridge behind the extracted teeth, removable partial dentures can be used. Removable partial dentures help replace lost teeth and tissues by placing artificial teeth and pink acrylic material that mimics gingiva on a metal skeleton. The retention of these prostheses in the mouth is provided by the retaining parts called crochet (hooks) on the remaining teeth. In cases where the appearance of these hooks is not desired, more aesthetic results can be obtained by placing key-lock-like connection parts called sensitive holders on the adjacent teeth that are covered.
What are the Advantages of Metal-Free Crowns – Bridges and Full Ceramics?
Exceptional aesthetics: It blends perfectly with the natural structure and gives a natural tooth appearance. Since it is not made on a metal substructure, the light transmittance is very close to the natural tooth.
Durability with its developed structure: It can be used on crowns, front and chewing surfaces of teeth for many years without causing any problems. It is biologically compatible, does not harm the gums and surrounding tissues. Its wear resistance is close to tooth enamel.
Metal-Free Crown Bridges – Full Ceramics
A beautiful smile is one of the most important features in the face area. Thanks to the developments in dentistry technology, the necessity of living with teeth that have changed color (blackened – darkened – turned yellow), broken or deformed is a thing of the past. Known ancient porcelain restorations were prepared on a metal substructure to increase durability and strength. This understanding served to increase the durability of the crowns and bridges to be built. As a result of the studies carried out in recent years, the porcelain material used in dentistry has been developed and its fragility resistance has been increased. In this way; Porcelain without metal support has come to the fore as a new alternative in fixed prosthesis studies. In restorations made as a result of using porcelain without the need for a metal support, results that are very close to the natural tooth appearance can be obtained. As a result, patient satisfaction that is directly proportional to aesthetics and aesthetics that is close to perfection emerges. Porcelain without metal support is obtained by compressing the reinforced porcelain in special machines. It is preferred especially in anterior teeth because of its very good light transmittance. It is not sufficiently resistant to chewing forces for the posterior region. The use of all-ceramic restorations in dentistry is increasing day by day in parallel with the development of new materials and techniques. In metal-supported crowns and bridges, porcelain is fired on a metal infrastructure, while in all-ceramic restorations, ceramic materials with the most similar properties to tooth tissue in natural tooth appearance and light transmittance, biologically compatible and fully resistant to chewing forces are used in all-ceramic restorations.
Porcelain Bridges
In case of missing one or more teeth, a bridge is applied by taking support from the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth area. After the reduction (preparation) is made in the teeth or tooth groups in the regions adjacent to the missing tooth, the bridges that are supported by these teeth are prepared in the laboratory environment. With this bridge application, aesthetic, chewing and phonetic functions are restored to the patient.
In case of tooth loss, in cases where a bridge or implant is not made to replace the lost tooth(s), unfortunately, neighboring teeth tend to tip over towards this missing tooth region. The upper tooth or teeth in the opposing jaw elongate. In addition, bone loss occurs in the area where there is tooth deficiency, and this leads to chewing and phonation disorders in the patient. On the other hand, in cases where missing tooth areas are not treated, closing disorders and then problems in the jaw joint may occur. For this reason, it is very important to provide a healthy dentition with prosthetic treatment of the missing area in the mouth. Various criteria are taken into consideration in these bridge applications and generally full ceramic or metal supported ceramic porcelain teeth are decided. Rarely, precious metals such as gold can be used in the infrastructure of porcelain teeth. It is said that this type of porcelain has a longer lifespan.
Porcelain Veneers
Aesthetic and functional problems that may occur as a result of material losses, deformities, discoloration and tooth loss in the teeth can be eliminated with porcelain dental veneers and other fixed dental prostheses. Since the tooth loses its vitality and becomes brittle in teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, it is a common practice to make a protective coating. Dental prosthesis treatments can be in the form of porcelain tooth coating on a single tooth, or fixed metal-supported porcelain or zirconium porcelain bridges can be used in common tooth loss. In cases where the natural tooth structure is weak, excessive discoloration and deformities occur, or in teeth that have lost too much material with the risk of fracture, in cases where the weakened tooth structure after root canal treatment needs to be supported and protected; fixed crown construction. In the process called porcelain crown (porcelain tooth) making, the teeth are reduced in accordance with their anatomical form. Afterwards, preparation is made on the measurement taken. With these veneers called porcelain crowns, the old functions of the teeth are restored by sticking them on the reduced teeth. Crowns can be prepared to be all ceramic (glass ceramic or zirconium oxide) or metal supported ceramic.
Implant Support in Prostheses
In cases where the patient’s bone structure and anatomical neighborhood allow, it is also possible to make fixed or optional removable prosthesis with dental implant applications. In these cases where the teeth to be made for patients who meet certain criteria, especially the jaw bone structure, are desired to be more fixed or fully fixed; Prostheses can be fixed in the mouth with the help of implants. These methods are advanced surgical and prosthetic treatment methods and they show quite a variety. Here, too, the most accurate decision is made through the examinations and models to be made. Because implants applied without detailed planning cause ‘stillborn prostheses’, in full terms.
Commonly Used Implant Supported Prosthesis Types
Single member metal supported or zirconium porcelain teeth made on a single implant Metal supported porcelain bridges or zirconium bridges made on multiple implants Prostheses installed on multiple implants used in partial or total edentulism
