Dental Prosthetics – What You Should Know About Tooth Replacement
- The primary goal of dental prosthetics is to restore normal function – proper chewing, speech, and bite alignment – while achieving a natural and aesthetic appearance.
- Tooth replacement also plays a crucial preventive role, as it protects the remaining teeth and soft tissues from further damage.
- Implants are often the ideal solution, but if bone quantity, medical conditions, or financial considerations make them unsuitable, today’s advanced restorative options can still achieve an excellent functional and aesthetic outcome.
- The choice of treatment depends on factors such as:
- The location, size, and duration of tooth loss
- The condition of remaining teeth and gums
- The patient’s age, expectations, and general health
- The available bone volume
- Financial preferences
Possible Consequences of Missing Teeth
- Reduced chewing efficiency and potential digestive problems
- Speech difficulties and altered tone of voice
- Bone loss in the jaw
- Gum inflammation or local infection
- Shifting or tilting of neighbouring teeth
- Facial changes, including sunken cheeks and premature wrinkles
- Decreased self-esteem and confidence
- Negative social or psychological effects
Fixed Dental Restorations
Crowns
Crowns are used to restore severely damaged or heavily filled teeth, or to complete the restoration of a single missing tooth on an implant. Crowns are made in a dental laboratory based on precise impressions or a 3D digital scan. It fits over the prepared tooth or implant abutment like a cap, restoring strength, shape, and function. If too little tooth structure remains, a core build-up or post may be required to provide support.
Bridges
When several adjacent teeth are missing, a bridge offers a stable and aesthetic solution. It consists of multiple crowns joined together and is anchored either to natural teeth or to implants on both sides of the gap.
Materials and types of crowns and bridges
Metal-ceramic restorations
Also known as porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), these are traditional and highly durable restorations that combine a strong metal core with an aesthetic porcelain coating.
They offer excellent stability and resistance to fracture, making them suitable even for long-span bridges.
The porcelain layer can be perfectly colour-matched to the natural teeth.
However, this option is not suitable for patients with metal allergies, and over time a greyish line may appear near the gum margin as the gums recede.
Metal-free restorations
Metal-free crowns and bridges combine superior aesthetics with biocompatibility. They eliminate any risk of allergic reaction and prevent the appearance of dark gum lines.
Zirconia is currently the most advanced material used in modern dentistry – extremely strong, precise, and naturally translucent.
Thanks to computer-aided design and milling (CAD/CAM), zirconia restorations fit perfectly and provide lifelike results. They are ideal for both front and back teeth, even for full-arch bridges.
Removable and Combined Prosthetics
Full dentures
When all natural teeth are missing and a fixed restoration is no longer possible, full dentures provide a functional and aesthetic alternative. While this solution is usually considered when other restorative options – such as implants or bridges – are not feasible, it can still restore both appearance and function effectively.
Modern dentures are lightweight, natural-looking, and custom-designed to support facial structure and lip contour, preventing the sunken look caused by tooth loss. With properly fitted dentures, chewing, speech and confidence are all restored.
Implant-retained dentures
In many cases, four implants per jaw are sufficient to stabilise a full denture.
This solution combines the stability of a fixed restoration with the convenience of a removable one – the denture remains secure while eating and speaking, providing superior comfort.
Telescopic dentures
For patients with a few remaining teeth, telescopic dentures provide a stable and aesthetic solution. They offer reliable retention, comfortable wear, and easy maintenance.
Combined prosthetics
A combined restoration integrates fixed and removable components.
The removable part (denture) attaches to crowns or bridgework using hidden precision attachments such as sliders or clips.
This type of prosthesis is smaller and more aesthetic than traditional dentures, improving comfort, speech, and taste perception.
The Prosthetic Treatment Process
Although treatment plans vary depending on the case, the main stages are consistent:
- Consultation and planning – A thorough assessment of your oral health, needs, and expectations. Panoramic X-rays or 3D scans are used to plan the ideal solution.
- Preparation and impressions – Teeth are shaped if necessary, and precise impressions or scans are taken for laboratory fabrication.
- Fabrication – The dental technician creates the custom restoration, matching the exact colour, shape, and bite alignment.
- Fitting and adjustment – The prosthesis is fitted, adjusted, and permanently fixed or delivered to ensure optimal comfort and function.
- Follow-up – Regular check-ups are scheduled after placement to ensure stability and gum health.
- Aftercare – Proper home care, combined with professional hygiene visits every six months, ensures long-term success and prevents gum inflammation or decay of remaining teeth.
Why Delay Any Longer?
Restoring missing teeth has never been easier or more effective.
Whether you choose a simple, cost-efficient option or the most advanced, high-end solution, all restorations at Profident are made using cutting-edge technology and premium materials to meet the highest standards of aesthetics and function.
Say yes to a complete smile. Say yes to a better quality of life.
