Definition and Purpose of Dental Prosthesis
- Dental prosthesis is an intraoral prosthesis used to restore missing teeth and structures of the jaw and palate.
- Prosthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on dental prostheses.
- Dental prostheses are used to improve mastication, aesthetics, and speech.
- They can be held in place by connecting to teeth or dental implants, suction, or surrounding muscles.
- Fixed and removable variations of dental prostheses are available.
Types of Dental Prosthesis
- Fixed dental prostheses use dental adhesive or screws to attach to teeth or dental implants.
- Removable dental prostheses may use friction against adjacent teeth or dental implants.
- Suction can be used with or without denture adhesives for removable prostheses.
- Surrounding muscles and anatomical contours of the jaw can passively hold removable prostheses in place.
- Dental prostheses can be made in many variations to suit individual needs.
Benefits of Dental Prosthesis
- Dental prostheses restore missing teeth, improving chewing function.
- They enhance aesthetics by filling gaps and improving smile appearance.
- Dental prostheses aid in speech by providing support to the oral structures.
- Prostheses can prevent further oral health issues caused by missing teeth.
- They contribute to overall oral health and well-being.
Maintenance and Care of Dental Prosthesis
- Regular oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing, are essential for maintaining dental prostheses.
- Proper cleaning techniques and solutions should be used to prevent plaque buildup on prostheses.
- Denture adhesives can be used to improve the stability and retention of removable prostheses.
- Regular dental check-ups are necessary to ensure the proper fit and function of dental prostheses.
- Repairs or adjustments may be required over time and should be done by a dental professional.
Advances in Dental Prosthesis Technology
- Dental implant-supported prostheses provide a more stable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth.
- CAD/CAM technology enables precise and customized fabrication of dental prostheses.
- Digital scanning and 3D printing have revolutionized the process of creating dental prostheses.
- Materials used for dental prostheses have improved, offering enhanced durability and aesthetics.
- Ongoing research and development aim to further improve the functionality and comfort of dental prostheses.
This article needs more reliable medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources. (October 2017) |  |
A dental prosthesis is an intraoral (inside the mouth) prosthesis used to restore (reconstruct) intraoral defects such as missing teeth, missing parts of teeth, and missing soft or hard structures of the jaw and palate. Prosthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on dental prostheses. Such prostheses are used to rehabilitate mastication (chewing), improve aesthetics, and aid speech. A dental prosthesis may be held in place by connecting to teeth or dental implants, by suction, or by being held passively by surrounding muscles. Like other types of prostheses, they can either be fixed permanently or removable; fixed prosthodontics and removable dentures are made in many variations. Permanently fixed dental prostheses use dental adhesive or screws, to attach to teeth or dental implants. Removal prostheses may use friction against parallel hard surfaces and undercuts of adjacent teeth or dental implants, suction using the mucous retention (with or without aid from denture adhesives), and by exploiting the surrounding muscles and anatomical contours of the jaw to passively hold in place.
