Removable prosthesis

We use removable prosthesis when the number, position or condition of the remaining teeth does not allow the fixation of bridges or crowns. In a totally edentulous jawbone (lower or upper) only the remaining anatomic formulas of the mouth help fixing denture adequately, but the uniquely formed structures are unable to provide adequate stability for a removable prosthesis. When even one tooth remains to support the denture, we always recommend keeping it, because it increases the stability of the prosthesis.  More than one remaining own teeth work excellently in fixing a stable, comfortable, but removable prosthesis. It may be decided, in what extend these teeth should participate in the stabilisation of the denture. The framework for such a denture is made of metal. In special cases the removable prosthesis may hold onto the remaining teeth with small metal cribs which has not enough aesthetic value, but is a cheap solution. In other cases the remaining teeth are covered with crowns the way we described in the text about fixed prostheses. We place so-called ultrastructural retainers, press stud attachments on them. These small press studs cemented to the teeth fix the other small press studs placed on the different parts of the removable prosthesis, so higher stability and comfort can be achieved. Further advantage of this so-called combined prosthesis is that these press studs are invisible for the observer. Only the one wearing it knows that part of his/her teeth is removable, and this procedure is necessary only during tooth brushing after the meals. Apart from this, every type of the removable prosthesis is wearable 24/7.

A special type of removable prosthesis is the overdenture. For cleaning, it has to be removed from the mouth, although its everyday usability, and stability is close to that of the fixed prostheses. You can read more about overdenture here.