Tooth loss is a pressing issue that can be caused by various factors: diseases, poor oral hygiene, maxillofacial traumas. Losing teeth not only affects the aesthetics of the smile but also negatively impacts chewing function.
Restoring chewing function is an important task, as disturbances in this area lead to difficulties in chewing solid food, contribute to the development of gastrointestinal diseases, and lead to the destruction of remaining teeth.
Restoring chewing function through prosthetics.
Restoring lost teeth, returning full functionality to the chewing apparatus, is possible through prosthetics, which today are represented by the following types:
- removable;
- non-removable;
- combined.
Prosthetics can be performed in case of losing one or several teeth, as well as in the case of complete absence of teeth on one or both jaws (complete edentulism). If not only the tooth crown is damaged but also the root is lost, in such a situation, the most progressive option would be installing a prosthesis on implants.
Non-removable prostheses for restoring chewing function.
Restoring chewing function using non-removable prostheses has several advantages compared to removable constructions. These benefits include:
- more comfortable sensations and no need for adaptation;
- high strength and reliability;
- correspondence to the anatomical structure of natural teeth;
- no negative impact on diction and taste sensations;
- providing uniform chewing load.
Modern non-removable prostheses allow restoring lost chewing function by 80-100%. Different types of non-removable constructions make it possible to prosthetize any level of complexity.
Non-removable constructions include inlays (also known as partial crowns – allowing replacement of part of a damaged tooth), bridgework prostheses (a combination of a dental crown with an intermediate part), metal-ceramic and metal-free crowns on implants or with reinforcement of the natural root using a post or inlay, veneers (dental overlays used only for the smile zone, mainly aimed at restoring aesthetics of this area).
Advancements in dental prosthetics nowadays offer broad opportunities for dentists and patients. Now, restoring lost teeth, even in complex cases, is no longer a problem – at any age, you can have an aesthetic smile and a fully functioning chewing apparatus.