Introduction to

Prosthetics

Sandra Hewlett
 Prosthesis
 Definition

A prosthesis may be defined as an appliance which

replaces lost or congenitally missing tissue.
 Prosthetics
 The art and science of designing and
fitting artificial substitutes to replace lost
or missing tissue.
 Dental prosthetics: application to the
mouth. Also refered to as prosthodontics
or prosthetic dentistry
 Maxillofacial prosthetics: application to the
maxillfacial region
Why the need for
prosthodontics
Consequences of tooth loss
 Resorption
 Without the stimulation of the teeth or
implants. The bone becomes unused and
continuosly resorbs.
 Tilting and drifting
 This results in creation and loss of space.
 Loss of interproximal contacts results in
food packing and gingival damage and
caries.
 Over eruption
 With all the teeth present, there is
stability. The teeth are not actually rigid in
the mouth, but stay in place due to
pressure contacts and eruption forces.
 Disruption of the occlusion
 This usually results in limitations on
-Mastication
-Diet restrictions
-Indigestion
 Aesthetics
 Teeth form an important feature of the
face and loss thereof may result in some
aesthetic challenges.
 Facial sagging and premature aging result
due to the collapse of the lips and cheeks.
 Overclosure also results in bunching up of
the soft tissues around the mouth and a
close approximation of the chin and nose.
 Speech
 Consonant stops requiring the presence of
teeth cannot be made efficiently.
 Psychological disturbances
 Loss of confidence
 Reduced smiling
 Habits eg hand covering mouth etc.
The need for prosthesis
 Aesthetics
 Replace missing teeth
 Support lips and cheeks
 Improve self esteem
 Restore occlusion
 Mastication is improved therefore eating
and diet is not restricted
 Speech
 Speech is improved
 Types of prosthesis in
prosthodontics
 Conventional Dentures
 Bridge
 Implants
 Implant supported prosthesis
(denture/bridge)
 Obturators
 Surgical prosthesis
Dentures
Complete denture
The conventional fixed-fixed bridge
Resin bonded bridge
 Extraoral
Prostheses --
Nose