Tooth loss is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a serious blow to digestion, diction, and even the harmonious proportions of the face. Modern dentistry allows for the restoration of the dentition in such a way that no one will guess that you have false teeth. The main thing is to correctly select the construction for a specific clinical case.
Adentia is the complete or partial absence of teeth. Dentists divide it into two types: partial, when at least one or several teeth are preserved on the jaw, and complete, when teeth are completely absent on one or both jaws.
Main Options for Prosthetics in Case of Adentia
The choice of method depends on the number of “anchor points” and the condition of the bone tissue.
- Removable dentures
The traditional and most budget-friendly option. They are held in the mouth due to the “suction” effect (acrylic jaws) or special hooks/locks (clasp dentures) if abutment teeth are preserved. Among the advantages are low price and fast manufacturing. The disadvantages include instability of fixation and the risk of falling out during conversation. And one more important aspect: the bone under a removable denture continues to atrophy.
- Fixed constructions
These include dental bridges. This is a chain of crowns, where the outermost tooth crown rests on the patient’s own teeth, and the middle ones replace the missing ones. The construction has a limitation, as it is suitable only for partial adentia, since reliable healthy supports are needed for a “bridge”.
- Prosthetics on implants
The most physiological method. The implant mimics the root of a tooth, preventing bone loss. There are single implants, where each missing tooth is replaced by a separate unit. This option is ideal for partial loss. Implantation on 6 teeth (All-on-6) is used for complete adentia. The All-on-4 option is also applied. For prosthetics, 4 or 6 implants are installed into the jaw, onto which a fixed prosthesis of the entire jaw is attached. Total restoration of teeth with implants is the “gold standard” in terms of the ratio of comfort and reliability.
How to Choose a Suitable Prosthesis?
An ideal prosthesis is always a balance between medical indications and the patient’s capabilities. The doctor relies on the following criteria:
- Number of missing teeth: for a single tooth, a crown on an implant is sufficient; for the entire jaw, an All-on-4/6 system will be required.
- Condition of the bone tissue: if teeth have been missing for a long time, the bone could have “melted away”. In this case, either bone grafting is required, or the choice of systems that do not require a large volume of bone.
- Age and health: the presence of diabetes or blood clotting problems can be a contraindication to classic implantation (but not always!).
- Budget: removable constructions are affordable for everyone, tooth implantation is an investment in the quality of life for decades.
Frequent Mistakes of Patients
- Putting it off “for later”: bone tissue atrophies without a load. The longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive the prosthetics will be in the future.
- Independent choice of construction: the patient often asks for “the same bridge as the neighbor has”, without taking into account that their own teeth may not withstand such a load.
- Ignoring adaptation: you need to get used to any prosthesis. It is wrong to think that if it is uncomfortable on the first day, the prosthesis is bad.
- Incorrect care: removable dentures and implants also require cleaning! Plaque on them leads to gum inflammation and rejection of the constructions.
Adentia today is not a death sentence and not “false teeth in a glass”. Modern protocols allow you to get your teeth back in just a few visits. The main thing is to remember: the best prosthesis is the one that does not just close the gap, but fully restores the chewing function and gives self-confidence.
