Dental prostheses are devices made for patients by a dentist with the aim of replacing a missing tooth or restoring the entirety and functionality of a destroyed or fractured tooth.The field of dental prostheses is quite vast and, in this post, we will look at the two main types of dental prostheses.
Fixed dental prosthesis
Fixed dental prosthesesrefer to a crown, or a bridge, that is, a prosthesis that carries several crowns. Fixed prostheses are made from a precise impression of the patient’s dentition, that is, custom made for that patient, and are permanently fixed in the mouth.
In a fixed dental prosthesis, the attaching cementation or screws are not removable by the patient. With careful maintenance and periodic checks this type of product should last for life, but requires periodic examination by the dentists to ensure they are in the best condition.
The advantage of fixed dental prostheses is that they are able to replace missing teeth with a natural look. That is, if well done they are not easy to differentiate from your real teeth. They also do not compromise the surrounding tissues or teeth since they do not use them as support.
Removable dental prostheses
These are similar to fixed prostheses but can be removed from the mouth when necessary. With the advent of new technologies, the use of removable prostheses has fallen into disuse, or they are often used in the temporary phases of major rehabilitations.
How to maintain fixed and removable dental prostheses
The care and maintenance of dental prostheses, be it a fixed or a removable prosthesis, is essential for the long-term aesthetic and durability of the device. Each type of prosthesis requires unique care measures:
- For fixed or screwed prostheses, we will have to use special dental floss, brushes, water jet systems as well as electric toothbrushes;
- Removable dental prostheses should be cleaned with special cleaning tablets and immersed in water and from time to time cleaned with degreasing materials;
As mentioned, to ensure that your fixed or removable prostheses are in the best condition, it is essential to go to visit a specialist dentist at any Mexico Dental Network clinic at least once every every six months. Through good professional hygiene and dentist exams, we can be sure that we our prostheses will last a long time.