“A partial or full denture, also popularly known as“ third teeth ”or“ drawer ”, means the removable replacement of one or more teeth."
When
In our dental clinic in Zurich, prostheses are mainly used for patients who have already lost so many teeth that it is impossible to make a bridge or other fixed dentures.
Today's dentures can no longer be compared with a prosthesis from the past. Thanks to the latest dental technology and high-quality materials, prostheses can now be firmly and securely anchored with implants, snaps or telescopes and thus offer a much better hold than before.
How
For the production of full dentures, it is important to correctly assess the toothless jaw areas and to reconstruct the so-called bite position. In dentistry, this requires close cooperation between dentist and dental technician. Adequate fabrication of the prosthesis can ensure optimal hold and function. The wishes and needs in the design of the aesthetics are always the focus of our work.
In the case of a restoration using removable partial dentures, the diseased teeth that are not worth preserving must first be removed. The patient's remaining healthy teeth are then used as anchor teeth for the partial denture. A correct assessment of the life expectancy of these anchor teeth is essential for a correct prognosis of the new dentures.
There are many different types and options for attaching the dentures to the anchor teeth today. With push buttons, attachments or double crowns, the prostheses can be inserted without any visible, aesthetically disruptive elements.
If the remaining teeth are not sufficient, additional implants are used as anchor elements for the hybrid prosthesis.
Provisional or definitive
Prostheses can serve as provisional dentures, as well as removable or removable dentures as a temporary solution up to the production of a mostly fixed reconstruction of the missing teeth. If a fixed reconstruction is not sought, prostheses can also be made as permanent dentures.
Removable dentures deal with all types of non-fixed dentures. A distinction is made between full dentures and partial dentures. These are either attached to the remaining teeth or are attached exclusively to the mucous membrane in the toothless jaw.
In addition to the classic full and partial prosthesis, modern prosthetics also offer so-called hybrid prostheses. These combination prosthetics are also anchored by implants. As a result, on the one hand, the hold of the prosthesis is improved and, on the other hand, aesthetically restrictive clips can be avoided.
When properly manufactured, prostheses can fully restore the chewing function and aesthetics of the remaining teeth and the patient.
Use our free advice to get information from one of our specialists.
material
Hypoallergenic plastics are mainly used in the dental field.
While full dentures nowadays are 100% made of plastic exist, contain Partial prostheses usually have a metal frame to which the holding elements, such as push buttons or double crowns, are attached. However, the metal framework is now thanks to the veneer with zPork-colored and tooth-colored plastic no longer visible.
At the patient's request, we are happy to manufacture completely metal-free partial dentures in cooperation with our dental laboratories.
costs
How much a denture costs in our dental clinic always depends on the requirements and the current condition of your teeth. Our dentists will be happy to advise you on what makes the most sense in your situation. The prosthesis costs for a denture, such as a semi-permanent partial denture, start at around 1500 Swiss Francs. per jaw.
The manufacturing process of a removable denture
1. Extensive dental consultation and examination
We start with a consultation in which we extensively examine your teeth. A panoramic x-ray is often performed in order to assess the condition of the jawbone and the tooth roots that are still present. Based on the findings, we recommend an individual treatment plan. After the treatment plan has been discussed, treatment can begin.
2. Impression taking
Your dentist at ZurichDental® takes an impression of your teeth and alveolar ridge, takes photos of the current situation and works with you to choose the most suitable tooth color. The impression will be sent to a modern dental laboratory, where a dental technician will start making your dental prosthesis.
3. Adjustments after trying in the denture
Before the dental prosthesis is completed, a so-called bite registration is usually carried out, depending on the type of prosthesis, in which the height of the future teeth is determined. If necessary, the tooth set-up can then be tried on further, in order to give you the opportunity to assess the effect of the dental prosthesis in your mouth in advance and, if necessary, to express change requests.
4. Adjustments & completion
When the dental laboratory has completed the personalized denture, you will receive a final appointment. At this appointment, the finished denture will be tried on and any necessary adjustments made. Fine-tuning the bite is often necessary to ensure a perfect fit. Once the final adjustments are complete, you will receive your dentures. So that you can enjoy your new aesthetic and comfortable set of teeth for as long as possible, you will also receive a detailed cleaning instruction.
What types of dentures are there?
The full denture - often also known as a full denture in the past - is a dental prosthesis that we make when there is a complete loss of teeth. This prosthesis not only serves as a replacement for the lost teeth, but also replaces the lost gums.
Components of a full denture:
- Prosthetic base: The base of the denture rests on the gums of the alveolar ridge. Their stability is created by the vacuum effect, the facial muscles, the surface of the alveolar ridge, the chewing pressure and gravity. The prosthesis base then transfers the chewing force to the bone. In this way, the most natural dentition possible is modeled.
- Artificial gums: The artificial gums follow the base and help restore the aesthetics of the oral cavity and face.
- Artificial replacement teeth: The artificial replacement teeth are built on the artificial gums, which restore both the aesthetics and the chewing function of the patient.
The material:
The full denture is made from a special, biocompatible plastic. Dental prosthesis care is important. The dental prosthesis should always be kept moist so that the special plastic does not dry out and the shape and surface properties of the prosthesis do not change. This is the only way to guarantee that there will be no painful pressure points after a while.
This type of dental prosthesis is made when the tooth deficiency is only partial and not complete, but the number of existing teeth is no longer sufficient for a fixed denture. The partially removable prosthesis requires more space than the natural and remaining teeth, as it not only replaces the teeth, but also gums and jawbones.
Components of a partial denture:
- Basic structure made of biocompatible metal: The base strengthens the erected teeth and at the same time forms the connection to the existing denture anchor teeth.
- Artificial gums: The color of the plastic material is similar to the pink color of the gums. Its task is to fix the artificial teeth on the basic framework.
- Artificial replacement teeth: They are made of plastic or ceramic and are firmly connected to the basic structure through polymerization.
- Anchoring elements: In our clinic we use various brackets, press studs (so-called locators or Dalbo anchors) as well as attachments and individually manufactured anchoring elements to anchor the denture.
Overdenture dentures, bar dentures, implant dentures
Our dental centers recommend this type of denture when a patient has lost all or most of the teeth but still wants the comfort and stability of a very tight denture. This type of prosthesis is very often used to replace the lower dentition. Upper jaw prostheses can also be stabilized very effectively with implants or bars.
Components of an overdenture prosthesis:
- 4-6 dental implants per jaw: The artificial tooth root gives the prosthesis additional support by anchoring it in the bone.
- Special rail, bar or push button: These are attached to the implants and represent the transition to the prosthesis.
- Prosthetic base: The base usually consists of gum-colored, biocompatible plastic. This replaces the lost volume of the jawbone.
- artificial replacement teeth: As in all other prostheses, the artificial replacement teeth are made of ceramic or a special, very hard, tooth-colored composite material
These types of prostheses are firmly screwed to the implants in the jawbone and represent a special case among prostheses. Within one day, fixed bridges are installed on at least 4 implants per jaw under general anesthesia.
The difference between the removable full denture / partial denture and the removable overdenture dental prosthesis which are anchored on teeth or dental implants lies in the type of attachment. While the partial or full denture is only held between the prosthesis and gums by the anatomical properties of the oral cavity and the vacuum effect, the overdenture denture is attached to teeth or implants using holding elements. This creates more stability and greater chewing force.
There Nowadays many patients prefer the comfort of more firmly seated overdenture prostheses, the number of classic full dentures continues to decline.
NOTE: Not every jaw is suitable for dental implants. You can find everything on this topic on our information page Dental implants.
More about tooth loss and dentures
A missing tooth is not only unaesthetic, but usually also causes many other health problems, such as
- Digestive disorders due to reduced chewing function
- Tooth elongation: Teeth grow out of the jawbone and eventually become loose
- Difficulty in developing a voice due to changes in the shape of the oral cavity
- Deepening of the facial wrinkles due to the lack of support for the facial muscles
- Deterioration in one's own well-being: Inhibitions can arise and self-confidence suffers
The facial wrinkles around the chin and nose can also be reduced as a result of the volume replacement of the prosthesis.
- Be patient. You first have to get used to the new feeling of dentures in your mouth, how to insert and remove them. This familiarization process can take up to 3 months.
- After the onset, there may be increased saliva production in the first few days.
- Painful pressure points on the prosthesis can arise, especially in the first month, as the alveolar ridge - similar to walking barefoot in summer - first has to get used to the new stress situation. If a pressure point occurs, make an appointment as soon as possible to avoid annoying inflammation and pain. We will be able to solve the problem together with you as soon as possible.
- It is recommended to consume rather soft food at the beginning and to ensure that you chew on both sides so that the jaw is evenly loaded.
- Avoid consuming hot foods and sweets that can stick to your teeth.
Similar to home dental care, you should allow enough time for daily cleaning of the dentures. We recommend the following steps so that you have a functional and beautiful denture in the long term:
- Take the denture out of your mouth and rinse it under running water.
- In order to remove food particles from the recesses, brush the denture thoroughly with a normal toothbrush or a special denture toothbrush [Link: Shop] from. This You should repeat the cleaning process at least once a day, preferably after every meal.
- Don't forget to clean your mouth and gums carefully.
- If your denture is supported by teeth or implants, you will need to use a toothbrush and floss or an interdental brush when brushing.
- In order to free the denture more effectively from plaque, discoloration and bacteria that can lead to gingivitis, the denture should also be treated with a tablet cleaner once or twice a month. After using a tablet cleaner, the prosthesis should be rinsed thoroughly before the next use. The “Blend-a-Dent Complete” cleaning tablets from Procter & Gamble are recommended.
