Removable dental prostheses

Clasp prostheses consist of a metal arch (clasp) that is lined with acrylic.

At Dr. Osadchiy’s Dental Clinic, we strongly do not recommend clasp prostheses. Wearing clasp prostheses will inevitably lead to bone atrophy and make further implantation extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible. There is no point in using this outdated technology, given the fact that new generation removable dental prostheses exist.

Acrylic dental prostheses are a hard orthopedic construction that imitates gums and the dental row.

The base of an acrylic dental prosthesis is made of plastic, which leads to gum chafing. Additionally, the upper removable dental prosthesis will be made with a removable palate and will require the use of special fixation paste. Even with several of the patient’s own teeth (in such cases, partial removable dental prostheses are made, not full ones), it is impossible to create an upper removable dental prosthesis without a palate. In such cases, it is only possible to reduce the palate size and free the patient from the need to use fixation paste.

Nylon dental prostheses are a soft orthopedic construction made of hypoallergenic nylon that imitates the dental row and gums.

Nylon flexible removable dental prostheses are more comfortable for the patient. They do not lead to bone volume reduction and do not prevent future implant-based prosthetics. At the same time, the light weight of the construction can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Soft removable dental prostheses do not allow even distribution of chewing load.

Thus, all types of removable dental prostheses have their disadvantages. We recommend our patients consider removable dental prostheses as a temporary measure. For example, in the case of two-stage implant installation when it is necessary to suture the implants for some time and relieve them from chewing load. And only in cases when implantation is impossible (mental disorders, oncological blood diseases, etc.) can we offer prolonged use of removable dental prostheses.

Depending on the type of prosthesis and clinical picture, the installation of removable dental prostheses can vary.

Removable dental prostheses can be fixed on:

• jaw bone (with or without fixation paste);
• patient’s own teeth (hooks);
• implants (suction cups).

Fixation of removable dental prosthesis on bone

On a toothless jaw, an acrylic removable dental prosthesis can be used. On the lower jaw, such a prosthesis can hold without fixation paste: a vacuum forms between the mucosa and the prosthesis itself, holding the construction. On the upper jaw, the prosthesis holds due to an additional palate and requires fixation paste.

Removable dental prostheses on hooks

If the patient has own teeth on which a removable prosthesis can be fixed, special hooks (clasps) are made. These hooks attach to the patient’s own teeth and hold the prosthesis. It is virtually impossible to notice such hooks in the mouth; they do not impair aesthetics.

Removable dental prostheses on suction cups

The so-called removable prosthesis on suction cups involves the use of two implants. Installing a removable prosthesis on two implants on the upper jaw is impossible. The minimum number of implants for installing a prosthesis on the upper jaw is four. However, when using four or more implants, there is no need for a removable construction.

Therefore, only removable dental prostheses on the lower jaw, installed on two implants, can hold on suction cups. The implants serve as supports with built-in ball attachments (telescopic connections). Ball attachments allow locking and unlocking the prosthesis.

Removable dental prosthesis for one tooth: butterfly

Sometimes there is a need to install a prosthesis not for the entire jaw but for one or several teeth. Such a prosthesis is called a butterfly; it imitates gums and the tooth crown and is made of plastic.

Most often, the butterfly prosthesis is used at the site of a lost front tooth to preserve aesthetics during the implant installation period. Less often, the butterfly prosthesis is placed at the site of other lost teeth; on the lower jaw, the prosthesis can perform not only aesthetic but also chewing functions.

Removable dental prostheses require thorough care and hygiene. The dental prosthesis should be cleaned twice a day and from all sides, including the side that contacts the gums.

Additionally, dental floss should be used to remove food residue. Once a day, the removable dental prosthesis should be immersed in a special solution. It is also advisable to use a disinfectant once a week.

Oral hygiene is also mandatory: rinsing the mouth, cleaning cheeks and tongue.

All this will help maintain oral health, extend the service life and postpone the repair of the removable dental prosthesis.

The price of removable dental prostheses varies depending on the material of the construction itself, clinical picture and clinic. In most clinics in Kyiv, removable dental prostheses can be purchased for 10–12 thousand hryvnias. An acrylic removable dental prosthesis will be slightly cheaper than a nylon one. Clasp and acrylic removable dental prostheses are equal in price. However, we strongly do not recommend using clasp constructions, which are very harmful to bone tissues.

The general recommendation of doctors at Dr. Osadchiy’s Dental Clinic regarding removable dental prostheses is that we do not recommend them for prolonged wearing. Removable prostheses regardless of material and fixation type:

• are uncomfortable;
• require annual correction;
• are inferior in terms of aesthetics.

Removable dental prostheses can be used as a temporary measure or in those rare cases when, due to medical indications, implant installation is impossible.

As an alternative solution, we offer implant-based prosthetics. Installing four implants on each jaw will allow creating a fixed construction that replaces 24 teeth. Care for fixed prostheses on implants is much simpler, such teeth feel like your own in the mouth and do not require constant correction. Moreover, unlike most other clinics in Kyiv, at Dr. Osadchiy’s Dental Clinic we provide a lifetime guarantee on implants.