Dental prostheses are the various appliances used for replacing missing teeth or covering up teeth defects. These restorations have proved to be very useful in restoring dental health and appearance. If you have a missing or broken tooth, you should talk to your dentist about the best prosthesis options. There are different types of dental prostheses that you can use depending on your aesthetic needs. Here are some of the most common materials used in dental prostheses today.
Metals
There are several metals used for dental restorations. These metals include titanium, gold, silver, chromium, nickel, palladium, and cobalt. The primary use for most of these metals is for dental implants and fillings. They are more popular than other restoration materials because they are more robust and can withstand forceful biting and chewing. Metallic dental restorations last longer than other materials, especially regarding wear and tear. Metal crowns hardly break or chip off. Another benefit of using metallic prostheses is that they are the best for permanent dental implants. For instance, titanium is one of the best metals for bone grafting because it bonds well with the bone. Their main drawback is their metallic color, which may not be ideal for dental aesthetics. However, they can be great for out-of-sight teeth like molars.
Ceramics
The most common ceramics used in dental prostheses are feldspathic, aluminized, zirconia-based, and lithium disilicate. These materials have unique characteristics that make them the preferred choice for oral restoration. For instance, they are known for their amazing aesthetics, excellent fracture resistance, and chemical steadiness. They are also straightforward to fabricate and create complex shapes. At the moment, dentists can choose from a wide range of ceramic structures. However, each option has its unique differences in chemistry, mechanical strength, clinical uses, and processing temperatures. These variations inform the available classification systems, which only those in the dental field can easily understand.
Composite Resins and Glass Ionomers
These restorative materials became available in the 1950s with the discovery of resin monomers. Monomers are now the mainstay for the vast majority of oral composite resins. They are usually combined with different porcelain or glass particles to improve their mechanical characteristics and tooth coloring. These materials also have outstanding aesthetic properties like translucency. Glass ionomers, a recent development, are considered to be relatively weak. However, they are perfect for cementing metallic and ceramic dental crowns to the teeth. At times they can be used as fillers and other recommended applications.
