What Is Prosthetic Tooth?

Denture tooth,when teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues are damaged or lost due to various reasons, is a custom-made dental prosthesis. This allows individuals to regain the teeth, which are considered the beginning of the digestive system, and restore healthy chewing function. Prosthetic teeth also improve speech and restore an aesthetic appearance, thus enhancing the individual’s quality of life. Custom-made dental prostheses can be described as artificial teeth that provide a perfect fit to the patient’s oral structure, are comfortable to use, and can be fixed or easily removable in the mouth. It may take a few months for the patient to get used to the new teeth. During this period, the prosthesis may feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable to the patient. Sensations of fullness or looseness in the mouth are normal in the early stages. Throughout this adaptation process, the cheek muscles and tongue get accustomed to the dental prosthesis, and eventually, no effort is required to keep the prosthesis in place.

Dental prostheses, which replace missing teeth, are custom-made for each individual. The dental prosthesis should perfectly fit the individual’s mouth, have a natural appearance, and be easy to use, according to the patient’s personal needs. A dental prosthesis can be used to replace one or several missing teeth, as well as all the teeth. However, in dental prosthesis applications, preserving the remaining natural teeth in the patient’s mouth is a priority. The color of the dental prosthesis is matched to the individual’s bone tone to achieve a natural look. The primary objective of dental prosthesis application is to restore the individual’s lost chewing function. By regaining chewing efficiency, the individual’s quality of life is improved. Additionally, the psychological effects caused by broken, discolored, or misshapen teeth are also eliminated.

What are the types of dental prosthetics?

Teeth, an important part of the digestive system, are crucial for human health. Dental prosthetics, which are the last resort in dental treatment, are typically applied in cases of tooth decay, tooth fractures, or insufficient fillings that result in tooth loss. In other words, if the existing dental problem cannot be corrected through other treatments, a person can benefit from dental prosthetics. Preservation of the individual’s existing healthy teeth is essential in prosthetic applications. In general, dental prosthetics can be categorized into two main types: fixed dental prosthetics and removable dental prosthetics.

Fixed dental prosthetics:

Fixed dental prosthetics are applied by bonding them inside the mouth and cannot be removed by the individual. They are typically used for individuals with minimal tooth loss. In the process of applying fixed dental prosthetics, the person’s own tooth is used. The procedure begins with the reduction of the existing tooth, followed by capping the tooth and mounting the prosthesis on top of it. Fixed prosthetics can be made from various materials. The preparation and placement of fixed prosthetics take approximately 10 days, requiring the individual to visit the dentist 4 to 5 times during this period. The application of fixed prosthetics involves initially reducing the person’s tooth, followed by taking precise measurements. The color of the dental prosthesis to be applied is decided in consultation with the patient. It is important to match the prosthesis with the existing teeth, ensuring an identical shade. In the next visit, the prepared prosthesis is tried on a model. Subsequently, the interaction of the prepared tooth with other teeth and surrounding tissues is examined in detail. The dental prosthesis is then tried on the patient again, and if there are no discomforting issues, it is fixed onto the tooth. Excess adhesive is removed, and the patient is provided with detailed information regarding the lifespan of the prosthesis and oral care. Fixed dental prosthetics provide comfortable chewing, improve the person’s speech, and contribute to their appearance. With advancements in dental prosthetic technology, materials such as zirconium and laminate restorations are commonly used today.

Zirconium Restorations: Zirconium, a white-toned metallic element, is the most commonly preferred material for fixed dental prosthetics. Zirconium crowns provide both functionality and aesthetics, while also being known for their durability. They can be processed in desired color shades and light transmittance. Zirconium crowns can be applied to individuals with metal allergies and have a smooth and natural shine. They can safely be used for cases of enamel loss, prostheses on implants, and dental irregularities or gaps where orthodontic treatment is not possible.

Laminate Restorations: Laminate restorations involve applying thin porcelain shells to the front surface of the tooth with minimal intervention. They can only be applied to the front teeth and serve purposes such as covering color changes in teeth, concealing existing gaps, and correcting the appearance caused by fractures.

Removable Dental Prosthetics:

Removable dental prosthetics, also known as appliances, can be worn and removed by the patient and are used when there is inadequate support for fixed prosthetics despite the presence of natural teeth. Support is obtained from the existing teeth and tissues during the application. There are four different types of removable prosthetics:

Complete Dentures: Complete dentures are preferred when there are no teeth in the mouth. They are applied separately to the upper and lower jaws and are supported by the existing bone tissue. Also known as removable dentures, complete dentures are mostly made of acrylic. When the custom-made complete dentures are initially worn, it is normal to feel a sense of foreignness, fullness in the lips and cheeks. The lower denture tends to move more than the upper denture, so it may take longer to adapt to the lower denture. In the first few days, there may be an increase in saliva due to the stimulation of salivary glands. Changes in speech are also normal. Reading aloud and repeating words that are difficult to pronounce are recommended to shorten the adaptation period. The adaptation period for complete dentures is generally around 4 to 6 weeks.

Partial Dentures: Partial dentures, also known as removable dentures with clasps, are applied when some natural teeth are missing. The removable partial denture provides both functionality and aesthetic appearance when it replaces missing and lost teeth. Partial dentures are mostly made of acrylic and single-piece castings. They are attached to the existing teeth with clasps. Esthetic prostheses with precision attachments can be applied to conceal the appearance of clasps.

Immediate Dentures: Immediate dentures, also known as temporary dentures, are applied to address aesthetic concerns that arise from the extraction of natural teeth. Swelling occurs in the oral tissues when the teeth are first extracted. It is necessary to wait for these tissues to return to normal before fabricating permanent dentures. During this process, the permanent dentures are also prepared for the patient. Once the tissues have healed, the immediate dentures become ill-fitting, and the patient is provided with permanent dentures.

Implant-Supported Dentures: Implants are titanium alloy structures resembling screws that are placed in the jawbone in cases of tooth loss. Implants serve as artificial tooth roots, facilitating the attachment of prostheses while enhancing stability. In individuals with no teeth, implants can be placed to improve the retention of removable prostheses. This way, the final prosthesis can be attached to the implants within the jawbone, enhancing chewing and speech functions.