Fixed Prosthesis :

Fixed prosthodontics is the area of prosthodontics focused on permanently attached (fixed) dental prostheses. Such dental restorations, also referred to as indirect restorations, include crowns, bridges (fixed dentures), inlays, onlays, and veneers.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth — to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

What Types of Crowns Are Available?

Permanent crowns can be made from stainless steel, all metal (such as gold or another alloy), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic.

DENTURES

Fabrication of a denture takes around 6 – 7 sittings. In case of complete dentures, the upper or lower denture may be loose depending on the amount of bone ridge present.

Adjustments to be made by the patient

New wearers often report a “full-mouth” feeling, as though the dentures are too big and pushing the lips forward. This feeling will diminish as you adjust to wearing dentures. They may feel like they don’t fit properly at first. They may “gag” you or cause you to bite your cheek or tongue. If you wear an upper denture, it may take some time for your tongue to get used to the feeling of being pressed against the denture and not your palate. Don’t worry. These problems will decrease over time.

Because a denture is a “foreign object” in the mouth, you may produce more saliva for awhile. This, too, will decrease and eventually go away. Something as simple as sucking on a mint or hard candy will encourage you to swallow more frequently, clearing excess saliva. Some soreness is also expected, usually within a few hours of putting your dentures in your mouth. If it continues, see a dental professional; never try to make adjustments to your dentures yourself.

When you speak, much of the sound of your voice reaches your ears through vibrations in the bones of the jaw and skull. Wearing dentures changes the sound, and makes it seem louder. This change will be much less noticeable to others than to you. If your dentures click when you speak, try speaking more slowly. The muscles in your lips, cheeks and tongue are learning to keep the denture in place. Time and practice will overcome this difficulty.

Eating

At first, you may feel that food has lost its flavor. This is because the messages your brain is receiving about your dentures can, for a short time, overpower those from your taste buds. You may also have trouble sensing how hot food and drinks are at first, so taste carefully. In time, your brain will pay less attention to your dentures and more to flavor in temperature. Here are some additional eating tips:

  • Cut food into small pieces.
  • Divide up food in your mouth so that you’re chewing one half on the back left side of your mouth and the other half on the back right. This will even out the pressure on your dentures.
  • Start with soft foods, such as eggs, fish, chopped meat, cooked vegetables and puddings.

Taking care of your denture

Clean dentures daily. Brush your dentures each day the same way that you would brush your teeth, Rinse your dentures with water after each meal.

Fill the sink with water or place a folded towel in it when handling your dentures, so you don’t break them if they should fall into the sink. When you aren’t wearing your dentures, let them soak in cool water or a denture cleaning solution to keep them from drying out. Be careful of cleaning solutions if your dentures have mental attachments—the solutions could cause the metal to tarnish. And don’t soak dentures in hot water—they could warp.

Remove your dentures (full or partial) every night. This allows the gum tissue beneath them a chance to rest.