What is a fixed bridge?
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with artificial teeth and is supported by being attached to teeth next to the gap.[1, 5] A fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist; you do not take it in and out yourself.[1]
How well a bridge keeps working in the long term depends on the teeth that support it staying healthy.[1]
For a conventional bridge, the supporting teeth are reshaped; an adhesive (resin-bonded) bridge needs very little or no drilling of the neighbouring tooth.[5] Which bridge suits you, the preparation needed and possible problems are explained before treatment. The difference between a crown, which covers the whole tooth, and a veneer, which covers only the front, is explained on the Ceramic veneers page.
What is a removable denture?
A removable denture is an appliance that replaces missing teeth and can be taken in and out. Some dentures are made to fit over a few prepared natural teeth.[2]
What is an implant-supported prosthesis?
Implants can carry a single crown, a bridge or a denture.[3] A removable denture can also be made to fit over implants instead of remaining teeth, and a bridge can be attached directly to implants.[1, 2]
The surgical stage, in which the implant is placed in the bone, is described on the Dental Implants page.
How long does it take to get used to a new denture?
Compared with having no teeth, a prosthesis can make eating and speaking easier. A new removable denture may feel unfamiliar for the first few weeks.[2]
Mild irritation may occur at first; if irritation or soreness persists, see your dentist.[2]
What helps a prosthesis last?
Regular cleaning and check-ups help a prosthesis keep working well for longer. With dentures fitted straight after teeth are removed, the fit can change as the jaw heals; the denture may then need to be relined or remade.[2]
Implant-supported prostheses can have problems such as difficulty cleaning around the implant and screw loosening, so regular cleaning and check-ups matter.[3]
How is a denture cleaned and stored?
- A removable denture is brushed every day to remove food particles and plaque.[2]
- Unless your dentist advises otherwise, a removable denture is taken out every night.[4]
- When it is not being worn, the denture is kept in water in a safe place so that it does not lose its shape.[2]
- Regular cleaning of implants and the surrounding teeth is very important in the long term.[3]
- The bridge is brushed as normal, and floss is passed under the artificial tooth along the gum line, as your dentist shows you.[5]
Are check-ups needed after fitting?
Follow-up appointments are usually needed after a prosthesis is fitted, to check the fit, and regular dental check-ups are recommended so that it keeps fitting well.[2]
If your implant or implant-supported prosthesis feels loose or painful, tell your dentist right away.[3]
Who plans your treatment?
Dr. Ferit Çiftçi weighs the fixed and removable options with you, based on your examination findings; the options are explained before any treatment starts. His note for fellow dentists on cleansability and maintenance of implant-supported full-arch prostheses is in the Clinical Notes section.
