Dentures
Dentures are one of the most popular prosthetic solutions to replace missing teeth.
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FREE EXAMINATION
Every day we push boundaries to offer only the best to our patients. The first free examination includes a specialist examination, 2D X-ray of both jaws, consultation and preparation of a guaranteed offer.
FREE EXAMINATION
Every day we push boundaries to offer only the best to our patients. The first free examination includes a specialist examination, 2D X-ray of both jaws, consultation and preparation of a guaranteed offer.
Dentures are synthetic replacements for missing natural teeth. Patients often call them artificial teeth. Some are designed to replace multiple missing teeth (partial dentures).
Other types replace all of the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues (full dentures).
More about dentures
Caries, gum disease and facial injuries can lead to tooth loss. Depending on the number of teeth lost and various other factors, the solution may be dental prosthesis.
When teeth are missing, facial muscles can relax over time. Dentures are designed to help fill out your facial profile and improve your appearance. They also make it easier for you to bite, chew, and speak.
However, it is important to emphasize that the functions of chewing with a prosthesis are much less than with natural teeth or dental implants. Lack of bone support means you can’t apply as much chewing force.
Many patients with full dental prosthesis develop speech impediments and slurred speech. This is due to the thickness of the material covering the palate (which is necessary and cannot be altered). Some people get used to it over time, others do not.
Full dentures are the last option after all other types of dental prosthesis have been deemed ineffective. Artificial teeth do not prevent the jawbone from receding. On the contrary, sometimes a bad dental prosthesis can even promote this. Only dental implants can preserve bone and prevent its loss after tooth loss.
We distinguish the following types of dental prosthesis:
- Full denture for edentulous patients.
- Removable partial denture is for patients who are missing part of their teeth or who prefer a removable option.
- Prostheses on implants are intended for patients who require additional support due to bone loss. The prosthesis on implants is fixed in the jaw when it is in the mouth. However, it must be removed for cleaning.
- Immediate dentures are intended for patients who want to realise tooth extraction and denture fabrication on the same day
Procedure for dental prosthesis
1
PRECISE IMPRESSION AND MEASUREMENT
The first step in making a dental prosthesis is taking impressions and measurements so that the base of the denture is fully fitted to the bed in your mouth.
2
CREATING A BITE MODEL
In the second step, we make a bite model out of wax. This helps us to determine the mutual position of the jaw and teeth when wearing the prosthesis so that it fits you perfectly.
3
TESTING THE DENTURE
The next step involves a procedure in which the artificial teeth are placed in the model. You then have the opportunity to try the setup in your mouth and provide your comments, which will help us to adjust and finalize the setup.
4
FINALISING THE DENTURE
The final step is precise finalization while the teeth are temporarily placed in the model. We make all the necessary corrections and adjustments until we achieve a perfect setup. Then we finally start making the final prosthesis.
Who is eligible for a dental prosthesis?
Patients with significant tooth loss are candidates for dental prosthesis. Age is not a relevant factor, the condition of the patient’s teeth is decisive.
It is also important that the patient has an adequate jaw bone structure and healthy gums. Artificial teeth need a sufficient amount of natural tissue to remain in place for a long time.
People over the age of 65 are the most likely to wear dental prosthesis. The need for a prosthesis is also widespread among people over 40, especially among women.
19% of women over 40 wear dentures. 27% of people over 65 no longer have natural teeth.
Elderly patients – complete edentulism (absence of teeth in the jaw) is most common in people over 65 years of age. The reason for this is that tooth loss is mostly age-related in geriatric patients (people with age-related diseases and problems).
Younger patients – in rare cases, young patients can also be candidates for full dentures. This is when they have lost all their teeth due to injury or severe tooth decay.
Types of dentures
Full dentures, also known as total dental prosthesis, are removable replacements for the patient’s entire set of teeth. They are fully customized, restoring the shape and appearance of natural teeth. Full dentures are the last option after all other dental prosthesis have been deemed ineffective. Artificial teeth do not prevent the jawbone from receding. On the contrary, sometimes a bad dental prosthesis can even promote this. Only dental implants can preserve bone and prevent its loss after tooth loss.
Traditional dentures also improve the chewing function, allowing you to bite, chew, and eat normally again.
Unlike full dental prosthesis, which replace all of the teeth, removable partial dentures only replace a few missing teeth. It consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base.
A removable partial denture is put on a cast metal frame for strength. It restores the natural look, feeling and function of your teeth.
They can be removed at any time and easily replaced. They are most often recommended to patients who cannot get a dental bridge (a bridge fixed on implants).
Two types of removable partial dentures are available:
- Cast partial dentures – they are made of acrylic in the colour of the tissue (gums), replacement teeth and a metal frame that holds all the materials together. Dentists recommend these dental prosthesis when only one or more natural teeth remain in the lower or upper jaw.
- Acrylic partial dentures – made from acrylic resin, they mimic the look and function of natural teeth. They are available with or without wire clamps. Artificial acrylic teeth are temporary as the patient’s gums fully support the teeth. Long-term use can lead to gum recession.
Dental prosthesis attached to implants are not permanently fixed to dental implants. They snap into place and attach to the locators. Semi-fixed dentures on implants are intended to correct edentulism, which means they replace all of the teeth in the jaw.
Prostheses placed on implants increase stability and improve chewing function much better than traditional mobile prostheses. However, they must be removed every night to clean the tissues in the mouth and give them a rest.
Types of dental prosthesis on implants:
Dentures on locators or ball joints: option with installation of 2 to 4 dental implants intended for replacing teeth in the upper jaw (4 implants) and lower jaw (2 implants).
Wironit prosthesis: The base is made individually for each patient and fixed to 4 dental implants. The prosthesis is intended for the upper and lower jaw and is fixed with a groove on the base, creating an extremely strong connection.
Advantages of prostheses on implants:
- Durability
- Provide a functional, natural looking bit with greater comfort
- More effective biting and chewing possible
With traditional dental prosthesis, after all of the patient’s teeth have been extracted, it is necessary to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks before inserting artificial teeth. This gives the tooth extraction site and jawbone enough time to heal.
A mobile temporary can be used immediately after the extraction of natural teeth. Although practical, temporary dentures are more challenging than traditional dentures as they are not individually shaped and fitted to the patient’s gums. Types of immediate dentures include:
Conventional temporary dentures – removable artificial teeth that can be used immediately after extraction of natural teeth. They are also made from the same materials as conventional or traditional dentures.
Short-term temporaries – removable artificial teeth to improve facial aesthetics and appearance. They also improve oral function for a short time before final work is placed. However, they are usually made of inferior material because they are only used for a short time.
Our experts
Ria Slovša, Spec. Stom. Prosthetics dr. Med. Dent.
Dentures are no longer just for the elderly. With their help we can effectively compensate for part or all of the missing teeth in the jaw. Thanks to advanced technology and high-quality materials, we can offer the optimal solution for each individual case at the Smile Clinic.
ADVANTAGES OF CREATING AND INSTALLING DENTAL PROSTHESES AT SMILE CLINIC
Shorter recovery time
Use of the highest quality Straumann implants
Patients can eat all foods safely
Long-term, stable and safe solution
Easy maintenance of oral hygiene
Natural appearance of the teeth
Price of dental prostheses
The price of dentures in Polyclinic Smile depends on the selected type:
- For full dentures the price starts at € 358.00 (upper or lower jaw, not both)
- For temporary dentures the price starts at € 208.00
- (upper or lower jaw, not both)
- For mobile partial dentures the price starts at € 94.00 (upper or lower jaw, not both)
- Dentures on implants: The price of semi-fixed Wironit dentures starts at € 412.00 (upper or lower, not both) depending on the case and the choice of a regular or aesthetic variant
The best way to find out how much your therapy will cost is during a free initial consultation with our doctors.
QUALITY GUARANTEE
We use material from the world-renowned companies Ivoclar Vivadent from Liechtenstein and DeguDent Dentsply Sirona from Germany, which build on many years of studies on their materials. Our dental laboratory has two state-of-the-art machines for milling CAD-CAM materials. One is the Ivoclar Programill PM7 and the other is a Wieland make. We also use a Straumann P40 3D printer.
FAQ
Dental prosthesis can be fitted by a dentist or a dental prosthetics specialist. General dentists can fit dentures. They also offer various preventive, diagnostic and restorative services such as x-rays, teeth cleaning, tooth fillings for caries and teeth whitening.
Dental prosthetics specialists like our Dr. Rialda Slovša, are particularly experienced in the process of making dentures. In addition, they specialize in various interventions and work on dentures.
There are five basic types of dental prosthesis, including full, fixed partial, removable partial, implant-supported, and temporary dentures. The type of dental prosthesis that works best for you depends on your oral health and lifestyle.
Plaque build-up on dental prosthesis can cause bone loss in the jaw, bad breath and stomatitis (inflammation of the mucosa of the soft tissues in the mouth). Another risk of uncleaned dentures is a fungal infection.
To prevent these conditions, it is important to practice proper prosthesis care:
- In the evening, gently brush the dentures with a soft denture brush to remove plaque. Removable dentures should be held on a small cloth over the sink while brushing. The cloth serves as protection if you drop the prosthesis. It is common for artificial teeth to break when dropped into a sink, on a closet, or on the floor.
- Soak the dental prosthesis in the denture cleaning liquid overnight. Brush them again in the morning and wear them all day.
Here are some tips for adapting to new prostheses:
- Follow the post-procedure recovery instructions
Your dentist or dental prosthesis specialist will provide you with care instructions after the prosthesis has been fitted. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and comfort with your prosthesis.
If you have removable dentures, don’t take them out too often. It is important that you wear it during the day so that you can get used to it quickly. - Eat only soft foods at first
In the first few days after the new dentures have been made, you should only eat soft food to prevent additional discomfort. - Practice speaking and exercise your facial muscles
Practice speaking out loud to exercise your facial muscles and avoid unwanted speech problems. Singing can also help you get used to the new pronunciation. - Clean dentures and gums
Brush your dental prosthesis and gums regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and bad breath. - Use denture glue if necessary
Denture glue can be used to ease irritation caused by new dentures. However, if you find that your dental prosthesis are not fitting properly, make an appointment with your dentist. Adhesives cannot fix ill-fitting dentures.
Dentures usually need to be replaced every 5 years (in case of proper care). Just like natural teeth, dentures change colour over time. If your prosthesis chips or breaks, it may only need minor repairs. However, if it breaks, you must replace it immediately.
Avoid sticky food. Sticky substances can loosen your dentures, allowing food to get under the dentures and irritate your gums. Furthermore, avoid foods with small but tiny pieces, hard food, tough or hard meats.
When you wear dentures for the first time, you may experience a slightly uncomfortable and unnatural feeling in your mouth. But when the oral structures adapt to the prostheses, this uncomfortable and unnatural feeling disappears. Patients may also experience increased salivation and irritation, but this too will return to normal over time.
Two to five days after insertion, you should start removing the prosthesis at night. Removing the prosthesis allows small blood vessels to expand and nourish the tissues that support the prosthesis.
Prostheses need six to eight hours of rest every day to allow the underlying tissue to recover. Many people take off their dentures at night, but for some people it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Tooth loss is the main reason people need dentures. There are several main causes of tooth loss, including:
- Periodontitis (disease of the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth) – at the same time the most common cause
- Tooth extraction
- Natural aging
- Poor oral hygiene
- Severe caries
- Face or jaw injury
Free examination in 3 steps
1
Make an appointment for a free examination
We examine your teeth and oral health, take a panoramic picture and conduct a consultation with a specialist. You will then receive an offer with a guaranteed price for possible work.
2
Visit us
Our clinic is located in the heart of Opatija with parking nearby. For patients who have to travel a long way, we offer accommodation and leisure activities.
3
Decide on therapy in the clinic you trust
Once you experience our patient-friendly approach, staff competency and transparency, you will know that you have come to the right place for all your dental needs.
Free examination in 3 steps
1
Make an appointment for a free examination
We examine your teeth and oral health, take a panoramic picture and conduct a consultation with a specialist. You will then receive an offer with a guaranteed price for possible work.
2
Visit us
Our clinic is located in the heart of Opatija with parking nearby. For patients who have to travel a long way, we offer accommodation and leisure activities.
3
Decide on therapy in the clinic you trust
Once you experience our patient-friendly approach, staff competency and transparency, you will know that you have come to the right place for all your dental needs.
We have the right solutions for all your dental problems.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment for a free initial examination and consultation with our specialist, let us know. We are looking forward to you!
We have the right solutions for all your dental problems.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment for a free initial examination and consultation with our specialist, let us know. We are looking forward to you!
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