Orthopedics

Poor quality of care, advanced caries, mechanical damage, high wear of dental tissue, and other factors can cause the destruction of the crown part of the tooth. When assessing the degree of destruction during the examination, the dentist determines the treatment method. If fillings or inlays are no longer sufficient for the complete restoration of the tooth, the problem can be solved with dental prosthetics using crowns, inlays, bridge prostheses, or veneers.

If crowns are indicated for partial (one-third) or complete destruction of the crown part of the tooth, veneers are typically used to correct aesthetic defects and prevent further damage.

For placing veneers, teeth need to be properly prepared — the front surface of the tooth must be trimmed. Thin plates made of ceramics, zirconium dioxide, or composite materials are placed on the front of the teeth, restoring their original color and providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the dental arch. The thickness of the veneers can be adjusted to achieve a more perfect tooth shape.

Veneer placement is indicated for the following defects:

• increased tooth wear;
• cracks and chips;
• diastema (gaps between teeth);
• misalignment or shifting of teeth;
• incorrect tooth shape.

The most common and well-known method of dental prosthetics is the placement of crowns. Crowns can be placed on the crown part, the root of the tooth, or an implant in case the tooth is completely missing.

Our dental prosthodontists will conduct necessary diagnostics of the tooth condition, provide comprehensive consultations on the best treatment options, and perform all necessary prosthetic procedures using the highest quality composites, ceramics, or metal ceramics.

Dental Prosthetics with Removable and Fixed Structures

Fixed Prosthetics

Fixed Prosthetics refers to a type of prosthetic treatment in which a structure is installed in several stages that the patient cannot remove on their own and which restores the integrity of the dental arch for a long period. Fixed dental structures are individually tailored for each patient. There are several types of fixed prosthetics: microprosthetics (veneers and inlays), crowns, bridge prostheses, and implants.

Even the loss of a single tooth leads to negative changes in the dental system. Bone tissue in the area of extraction resorbs, adjacent teeth begin to shift, and the antagonist tooth on the opposite jaw may protrude as nothing is there to hold it in place. These negative changes can be avoided by compensating for the loss, for example, by installing a fixed prosthesis that restores the integrity of the dental arch for a long period.

Fixed prosthetics are used in the following cases:

• the natural crown (the visible part of the tooth) is partially or completely destroyed, but the root remains intact and healthy;
• the tooth is completely destroyed and needs to be removed, but adjacent teeth can be used as supports for a bridge;
• there are no supporting teeth, but there is an opportunity to create them artificially by placing dental implants.

Modern dental technologies allow for fixed prosthetics even in the case of total tooth loss — in this case, 4-6 implants are placed into the jawbone, and then a bridge prosthesis is installed on them.

Removable Prosthetics

Removable Prosthetics refers to a type of prosthetic treatment where a structure is installed in several stages that the patient can remove on their own and which restores the dental arch. Strong, flexible, and wear-resistant materials from foreign manufacturers, such as acrylic plastics (made by casting or hot/cold polymerization) and nylon, are used to make the prostheses. This type of prosthetics is used when a patient has missing back teeth, lacks supporting teeth for prosthetics, or when implantation of artificial roots is not possible for various reasons.

Removable prosthetics are performed when one, several, or even all teeth are missing. In the first case, it is a temporary solution necessary for maintaining the aesthetics of the dental arch during treatment and prosthetics, and in the other two cases, removable prostheses are used during implantation or are worn permanently. Removable prosthetics are a popular service as they help preserve the ability to chew food properly and eliminate aesthetic concerns about the appearance of a smile.

Removable prosthetics are performed in the following cases:

• the patient is missing distal (back) teeth;
• there are insufficient supporting teeth for prosthetics;
• implantation of artificial roots is not possible due to pathological changes in the jawbone or the high cost of the procedure.

Types of Removable Dental Prostheses:

• Full removable dental prostheses — used when all teeth are lost, and they have a larger base that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper jaw) and gingival ridges with teeth. These prostheses are made from various polymer materials (acrylic, nylon, polyurethane).
• Partial removable prostheses — used when a patient with a defect in the dental arch still has healthy teeth or at least intact roots that can be used as support for the structure.
• Rocker prostheses — structures with a metal frame that sits under the base of the artificial gums and teeth. The prosthesis is fixed with thin metal hooks that run along the row of teeth.
• Plate prostheses — structures made of polymer materials with a larger base that attaches to the oral cavity.

Modern dental technologies allow for more effective and comfortable prosthetics for patients, even in older ages. Proper oral care, quality toothpaste, and regular visits to the dentist help prevent the need for dental prosthetics.