Orthopedic dentistry deals with restoration of damaged or completely absent teeth in order to prevent appearance of parodontium diseases, deformation of teeth lines and other pathologies caused by teeth lack.
A tooth prosthesis is a complicated construction which restores a lost tooth and brings it maximally close to parameters of a live one. The main purpose of an orthopedist is to select such prosthesis construction which will not only replace absent teeth but will also make this replacement unnoticeable and convenient for the patient. The prosthesis must not only replace the absent tooth, but allow keeping of remaining teeth for a long time. The quality of the prosthetic application is assessed by the qualifications of the dentist, the dental mechanic and the clinic’s equipment. These are the main conditions which our clinic strictly adheres to.
In our clinic, dentists always follow the principle “do not harm” and manufacture a great number of prosthetic constructions which they can offer, depending on indications and patients’ wishes, for substitution of tooth defects and teeth lines.
After thorough clinical checkup and inspection, an orthopedist drafts a preliminary treatment plan. After preparation for making prosthetic applications/mouth cavity sanitation (whole therapeutic, surgical, and sometimes orthopedic preparation), the dentist makes a final plan of orthopedic treatment. The tooth prosthesis is modeled and manufactured strictly individually. Not only substitution of missing teeth is important, but also preservation of the abutments. Further on, the dental mechanic manufactures a prosthesis in a dentotechnical lab. The whole process of construction manufacturing consists of several clinical and laboratory stages, and a scheduling error or construction deviation can affect not only the prosthesis quality, but also the health of the dento-maxillary system as a whole.
We offer all kinds of prosthetics. Let’s focus on the most popular ones:
Non-Removable Prosthesis Microprosthesis
Veneers (artificial ceramic tooth covers) are fixed at tooth’s wall and allow to hide changes in color, small turns and inclinations of the tooth. They are used in case of a defect of front teeth group or for aesthetical improvement: the so-called “Hollywood smile”
Inlays and onlays – replacement of a destroyed part of the tooth by a special “filling” which is manufactured in the laboratory from ceramics or composite and then fixed in the mouth cavity on the tooth made ready for that; in terms of esthetics and durability, it is better than a usual filling, especially when a great part of the crown section is damaged.
In some cases, our dentists can install inlays made of noble metals, i.e. silver and gold. This method of making microprosthetic applications is much more durable than fillings and has shown excellent results. For an inlay made of noble metal, it is not necessary to prepare firm tissues significantly and this is, of course an advantage, as compared to other kinds of microprosthetics.
If one tooth is missing, our clinic’s dentists usually make prosthetic applications without grinding off the neighboring teeth (Adhesive prosthetics. In this case, the intermediate part is fixed to the neighboring teeth with inlays (or onlays).
Metal-Ceramic Constructions (crowns, bridges) are constructions with an unnoticeable base made of metal, and the visible part of teeth is made of ceramics.
We offer not only classic variants of metal base alloys, but also exclusive, absolutely biocompatible constructions on the basis of precious metal alloys.
Metal Ceramic Crowns (frequently called simply metal ceramics) Metal Ceramics is used in cases when the tooth is so heavily destroyed that construction stability can be provided only if a cast metal frame is used which is both rigid and light.
Special high-quality constructions are made of metal-ceramic based on an alloy of noble metals (gold and platinum, gold and palladium). Crowns based on this alloy are more technological and have no allergic activity.
Non-metal constructions (crowns, bridges) are prostheses which contain no metal parts allowing to reach natural color and transparency which do not differ from those of natural teeth. This technology is called Empress. It allows using the best methods by solving problems of front and side teeth. Currently, these are the most aesthetic prostheses.
Bridge prostheses.
If one or more teeth are absent, it becomes necessary to manufacture a bridge prosthesis. The prosthetics necessity even in case of one missing tooth is caused by the fact that in the course of time teeth begin to shift and to fill in “the free space” (missed tooth). This results in irreversible deformations of teeth lines and, as a rule, in temporomandibular joint diseases. This is where the most severe pains in the area of ear, neck, lower and upper teeth come from, as well as pathologic dental abrasion and other symptoms. A bridge prosthesis consists of a supporting part (crown over the neighboring teeth) and an intermediate part (the missing tooth area).
In our clinic, we use bridge prostheses made of metal ceramics on the basis of different alloys (both precious and special medical alloys which are biocompatible with human organism).
Stump inlay. If the crown part of the tooth is destroyed completely, it is not necessary to extract the remaining root. In such cases, a root stump inlay will be made (a so-called pin). Exactly repeating the tooth canal form, it allows to distribute the chewing load over the root and the restored tooth stump on which the crown will be later put on.
Removable dentures.
If a great number of teeth is lacking, patients are frequently offered partial removable constructions.
Nowadays, removable dentures are considered to be the most wide-spread prosthetics method; they have maximum indications and minimum contraindications.
To achieve the maximal effect at application of removable dentures, it is necessary to pay very special attention to the choice of denture construction, and type of locks/fixtures. When fulfilling these tasks, our dentists act absolutely responsible which eventually allows the patient to get used to the denture faster and to avoid all and any discomfort as much as possible.
Clasp Dental Prostheses
A clasp prosthesis, i.e. a construction allowing to use both own teeth and the gum.
Advantages of Clasp Dental Prosthesis:
Prostheses are mostly functional and look aesthetically.
Used at the upper jaw, these prosthetic applications leave the palate practically free. If they are used for the jaw, the thin arch does not hinder the tongue at all.
The way of rendering the chewing load is closer to the physiological one, as compared to laminar removable dentures.
Clasp prostheses do not constrict the gum and do not lead to disturbances of tissue feeding.
Use of lock fixtures allows to “hide” all fixing elements inside the denture, i.e., these fixtures are absolutely unnoticeable.
Clasp constructions are highly reliable.
One must distinguish clasp dentures with clasps and clasp dentures with locks.
Clasp dentures with clasps (attachments)
Clasp dentures with locks
In the first case, a denture is held on teeth with the help of special hooks which tightly encircle the tooth without harming the enamel and hold the denture there. In the second case, the denture’s fixture is very tight, almost unmovable. Most of chewing pressure is redistributed over abutments which are covered by special metal ceramic crowns. The fixture is hidden inside the denture, therefore, in contrast to clasps, presence of the removable denture in the mouth cannot be seen from outside.
As it is traditionally practiced at the clinic, our patients visit us every 6 months for the purpose of preventive checkup. It is necessary for monitoring inevitable “gum shrinkage” under the denture’s bed (in order to avoid cavities which can appear there) and the load over the abutments. If necessary, the denture will be rebased. All preventive operations (rebasing, special cleaning, denture polishing) are mandatory to be held every 6 months within the denture’s service life.
Removable Dentures (Acryl)
Currently, we use one of the most state-of-the-art technologies for manufacturing removable dentures by means of a transfer molding which is called IVOCAP-SYSTEM. The features of these dentures are: great strength, aesthetical outlook and, which is very important, low risk of allergic reactions. The last circumstance makes it non-obligatory, to “put the teeth into a glass” overnight.
The following types of removable dentures are in use:
 Partial Removable Denture Partial denture is used in cases when one or several teeth are lost. The whole construction is made of clasps (hooks). Such denture is light, its manufacturing is not labor-intensive, it is relatively cheap, and, if necessary, easily transformable. A partial prosthesis takes quite much space in the mouth and leans entirely on the gum which reduces the time of its service life. However, in cases of temporary prosthetics it may be really irreplaceable. | |
| Completely Removable Denture is frequently the only possibility to make up all lost teeth. It is held in the mouth due to the suction effect (like two glasses moistened with a drop of water) and anatomic jaw protrusions. Flexible Dentures. What is meant under flexible dentures and what advantages do they have in comparison to common acryl ones? Due to the fact that nylon is much stronger than acryl, nylon dentures are thinner and take much less space in the mouth cavity which certainly makes them more comfortable. Due to their flexibility, nylon constructions can be fixed very well, as if they “enfold” the gums. This allows to discard metal “hooks” not using them in the construction and to shorten the denture’s “artificial palate” greatly. The necessity to strengthen the nylon denture with crowns being installed on healthy abutments, falls away too.
Nylon Dentures Cause No Allergy
Dentures are applied successfully both for substitution of partial defects (loss of several teeth) and for manufacturing of entirely removable dentures. |
Prosthetic applications on implants.
When the amount of defects is not high, placement of a prosthetic construction on an artificial support (implant) helps to avoid grinding off of healthy teeth to be used as a support. It allows to make the denture non-removable when a lot of teeth are missed; in such cases several implants are used.
What kind of prostheses should be chosen? If the load over the restored tooth will be significant, dentists still prefer metal ceramics. This relates primarily to the chewing teeth group and long bridge prostheses. If a front line is considered, and it is very important how it looks, then a non-metal construction is more preferable. It is hard to avoid being confused by this diversity. Come to us, we will select for you dentures which are adequate for your health, wishes and potential.
What you need to know! Unfortunately, lack of two or three teeth may lead to very unpleasant consequences: nature abhors the vacuum, and if teeth have no normal support, a deformation takes place. If the upper support is absent, lower teeth begin to stretch up and sometimes “grow up” toward the jaw. If lower jaw teeth are missed, the upper ones descend. And then, when making prosthetic applications, it is necessary to extract patient’s healthy “sprouted” teeth. So, sooner or later, in cases of this sort, one is compelled to get dentures, but sometimes under conditions which have become very complicated and require loss of healthy teeth.
How to care for your dentures properly Almost everyone is afraid of dentists. Many people delay visiting a dentist as long as possible. As a result, teeth decay to such an extent that prosthetics is the only way that remains. If it has happened to you, then the most important thing is not to panic and to prepare thoroughly for the new state of your mouth.
So, the dentist has done everything which was necessary for prosthetic procedures, the prosthesis is installed and the necessary corrections are carried out. What’s next? How to care for the denture? How to clean it? What may be eaten and what not?
A denture is a rather fragile item. To have a long service life, it needs to be treated carefully. At the beginning, just after the prosthesis installation, eat only soft ground food and start to eat harder food gradually. For longer serviceability of the prosthesis, it is better not to gnaw nuts or crackers. Viscous food, especially butterscotch is not desirable.
Prostheses are to be taken off and cleaned daily, but doing it several times per day is even better. The most important thing is to care for prophylaxis against different diseases of oral mucosa. But never sterilize prostheses in boiling water since they can deform. And never try to clean prostheses with coarse abrasive pastes, since they may scratch the prosthesis surface.
Unfortunately, usual brush and paste do not suffice for cleaning. Dentures need to be treated regularly with special liquid. Dentists advise their patients to use special tablets called Protefix®. They clean dentures and, what’s not less important, kill smells which the dentures accumulate through the day. Being dissolved in water, Protefix® releases active oxygen. It suffices to put the denture into the solution for 15 minutes, and it will be cleaned from food remnants/plaque, of harmful bacteria and will be disinfected. With all this going on, tablets do not affect the precious material the prostheses are made of, and therefore, do not shorten the time of their service. Dentists recommend to use Protefix®) cleaning tablets two times a day, - in the morning and in the afternoon.
However, the cleaning problem is not the only one faced by the owner of removable dentures. The most difficult stage for denture bearing is the first several weeks. It is not that easy to get used to a foreign item in the mouth. Learning to talk anew takes many persons a whole day. Sometimes, a gag reflex is observed after the denture installation, it is often difficult to chew food, taste feelings are weakened. Many persons believe that others notice the dentures at the first glance. Another discomfort cause is fear that the denture will fall out at the very unsuitable moment, when talking or eating.
There is absolutely no need to suffer and distress yourself. The modern technologies will help to cope with delicate problems and to get used to the new teeth more easily. A reliable remedy helping to overcome inconveniences are fixing crèmes, powder and Protefix® paddings. Since denture problems are always individual, they need different solutions to be coped with. You can choose the most suitable method yourself or seek a dentist’s consultation.
For persons with low salivation Protefix® research laboratory recommends to use Protefix® extra-strong fixing powder. The powder removes minor problems related to denture fixation, prevents inflammations and painful rub sores. The powder is easy in application: first it needs to be scattered onto the wet denture so that it makes a thin layer. Then the denture can be immediately fixed at the jaw, - it will hold long and remain stable. The Protefix®) fixing powder is an ideal remedy for minor denture problems.
Another reliable remedy to solve difficulties related to denture fixture is Protefix® extra-strong fixing crème. It will be good for those who have abundant salivation. Put the crème onto the dentures in form of a thin broken line, then press the prosthesis to the denture and do not eat for about five minutes. It should be kept in mind that the crème is to be put onto wet dentures. This is very convenient when you are on the journey: you can fix the denture very quickly. Protefix® fixing crème has absolutely no influence on to the occlusion and holds the denture tightly for a long time.
If your jaw structure is not apt to wear dentures, or your dentures rub your jaws, Protefix® fixing paddings will suit you well. Fixing paddings are made of soft fibrous linen and they cause absolutely no unpleasant feelings for your jaws. This soft padding does not influence the occlusion height, is jaw-friendly, providing ideal sitting of the denture and allows to avoid rub sores. It is very easy to use Protefix® fixing paddings: put a padding into the warm water for 5 seconds, then let the water drop off and apply the padding to the denture.
Applications of remedies of the Protefix® series will allow you to get used to the prostheses fast and painless. Use of Protefix® tablets, fixing crème, powder and paddings will make denture care very easy. Applying Protefix® products, you will keep your beautiful smile for a long time.
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