REMOVABLE PROSTHETICS
What is Removable Prosthodontics
Removable Prosthodontics is a dental specialty dealing with the replacement of missing teeth by using removable (non-fixed) dentures. This type of treatment is indicated in many cases, such as when there are few or no remaining teeth, when there is insufficient bone for implant placement or when the remaining teeth are mobile or present poor prognosis.
Use of removable dentures has many advantages, such as:
• Restoration of appearance, speech and mastication
• It is the least invasive treatment option for replacing missing teeth
• Clinical procedures for denture fabrication are safe and painless
• It is the only fully reversible treatment option for replacing missing teeth
• It is the only treatment option that allows replacing the diminished soft and hard tissues (gums and jawbone) along with the teeth, restoring normal facial appearance
• It is a treatment option that allows for major future modifications without requiring a remake, such as addition of more teeth, relining (if the shape of the gums changes significantly over the years), conversion from a partial to a full denture, etc.
• It is a treatment option that facilitates oral hygiene, as the user can remove the dentures to better access the teeth and gums when brushing
• It is the least costly treatment option compared to the alternatives (such as fixed bridgework)
MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION
Facial defects may be congenital, due to trauma or following surgical tumour removal. These may involve the jawbones and surrounding soft tissues, the eyes, nose, ear. In cases where plastic surgical rehabilitation is not indicated, is not possible or has failed, aesthetic restoration may be possible by prosthetic means. For this purpose we utilize materials such as medical grade silicone and acrylic (plastic), and clinical procedures similar to those employed for the replacement of missing teeth, in order to fabricate custom-made, removable prostheses. These are either retained by use of medical grade adhesive or by osseointegrated implants. The colour of these prostheses is matched to the surrounding skin colour for a successful aesthetic rehabilitation, which enables social integration and contributes to a better quality of life.