A frame denture is one of the ways to supplement missing teeth in the oral cavity. The comfort of using skeletal dentures is much higher than that of acrylic dentures, but not like crowns or bridges. What are the advantages and disadvantages of frame dentures? How much does a frame denture cost and is it reimbursed by the National He alth Fund?

Frame denturesbelong to the group of removable prosthetic restorations, which are used in the case of partial missing teeth. There are many causes of tooth loss, the most common of which are tooth decay and its complications. Periodontal disease is second. The loss of just one tooth causes negative changes in the stomatognathic system. Dental prosthetics has a wide range of options for the reconstruction of lost teeth, depending on the conditions in the oral cavity. One of such solutions are frame dentures. Their price depends primarily on the type of material used and ranges from PLN 1,200 to even PLN 3,000, and the National He alth Fund does not refund the costs.

What is a frame denture and what are its advantages?

The skeletal denture is a removable prosthetic supplement. It is used in the case of partial missing teeth. Thus, this type of prosthesis is made on a patient who has a few more teeth in his mouth, but it is impossible to rebuild the lost tissues with the use of crowns or bridges. The teeth remaining in the oral cavity, in the opinion of the doctor, must create the appropriate conditions for the implementation of this type of prosthesis. The construction of the prosthesis consists of metal elements covered with acrylic in selected places. The prosthesis consists of various types of clasps that keep the prosthesis in the right place, supporting elements and catches, latches.

The construction of the prosthesis is individually designed to suit the conditions in the patient's oral cavity. All of the elements used are aimed at better keeping the prosthesis in the right place, even when taking food, as well as more physiological transmission of chewing forces. In acrylic partial (or full) dentures, all the forces generated during chewing are transferred to the oral mucosa. In the case of skeletal dentures, thanks to the use of supporting elements, some of the released forces are transferred to the teeth remaining in the oral cavity. And sothe denture works in a more physiological way than the acrylic denture.

Opinions of patients who previously used partial acrylic partial dentures indicate that skeletal dentures are a more convenient solution for them. Thanks to the use of metal, the prosthesis has a much smaller size, which makes it a bit more comfortable to use. Thanks to the smaller size and greater stability, everyday activities such as speech or eating meals become less strenuous.

Additionally, a properly made frame denture is easier to keep clean than its acrylic counterpart. This reduces the risk of fungal infections associated with its use.

The metal structure of frame dentures is more durable than acrylic dentures. As a result, the mechanical resistance of the former is greater.

The fact that these solutions are not reimbursed by the National He alth Fund (NFZ) works to the disadvantage of skeletal dentures. We will have to pay for their performance out of our own pocket. Another disadvantage indicated by some patients is the poorly aesthetic metal clamps and support elements. They are usually invisible, but in some cases they must run within the aesthetic zone. As for the comfort of using skeletal dentures, it is definitely higher compared to acrylic dentures, but it certainly loses a lot in comparison with bridges. Frame dentures, due to their structure and properties, are currently considered the best choice among all removable prosthetic restorations.

How and how long does it take to make frame dentures?

If the doctor determines the appropriate conditions for the performance of a frame denture, you will need a few more visits to return the finished denture. Usually it takes 3 to 5 visits, depending on the conditions in the oral cavity. Before starting work, the remaining teeth in the mouth should be healed, and those qualified for extraction should be removed.

The first visit is a diagnostic visit. After a thorough examination of the patient, the doctor presents a treatment plan. After the patient accepts the plan, impressions of the inside of the mouth are made on special spoons. The impressions are sent to the workrooms of a dental technician, where plaster casts are made.

The next visit is an inspection of the metal skeleton made in cooperation with a doctor and a technician, and the so-called recording of occlusion, i.e. the way in which upper and lower teeth contact each other. During this visit, the appropriate color of teeth for the denture is selected.

The third visit is a trial inspectiondentures, after this stage there is one more visit to pick up the finished prosthetic restoration. After picking up the denture and starting its use, we should regularly visit the dentist's office for check-ups.

The finished frame denture should be properly looked after. It is obligatory to clean your teeth and take care of proper oral hygiene. It is recommended that the dentures are cleaned of food debris after each meal. Likewise, the prosthesis should be thoroughly cleaned before going to bed at night. You can use a toothbrush and toothpaste with a low abrasion index or specially dedicated agents available in drugstores and pharmacies. Store the dentures dry and rinse them thoroughly in running water before reinserting them in the morning.

Worth knowing

Dental prosthetics is a branch of dentistry dealing with the reconstruction of lost teeth. Dentists dealing with dental prosthetics should ensure that the aesthetic damage and the lost function of the teeth are restored (at least partially). The loss of one of our teeth causes the displacement of neighboring teeth or the pathological wear of the remaining teeth.

Bite disorder resulting from tooth loss may lead to disorders of the temporomandibular joints. As a result, there may be bothersome pain in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joints or headaches of unclear etiology. Therefore, it is so important to fill the gap left by the lost tooth as soon as possible. The applied dentures should restore the lost chewing function in the most physiological way. Depending on the conditions in the oral cavity, the prosthodontist can offer many different options for the reconstruction of lost teeth.

Dentures can be divided into two main groups. These are fixed and removable dentures. The first one includes crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, etc. These are prosthetic restorations that have been permanently attached to the patient's teeth with the help of special cements. The second group consists of removable prosthetic restorations, i.e. those that the patient can remove from the mouth on their own. Frame dentures belong to the latter group.

Category:

Dentistry and Orthodontics