GARCÍA VILAR, Eva

Curso 2022-23
10/02/2023

REMOVABLE PROSTHESIS VS PROSTHESIS ON IMPLANTS

Can you imagine clearing the table at a family meal and finding your grandmother's complete prosthesis?
Or go on a first date with someone, wake up in the morning and see them without her prosthesis? They are
uncomfortable situations for everyone, right?

Welcome, I am Eva, and today we are going to dedicate this time to the debate between removable
prostheses and implant prostheses.

To introduce the subject a bit, we will begin by mentioning the difference between the two, which is clear
as far as its name indicates it.

In the case of the removable, the patient can remove and put on the prosthesis at any time she wishes. On
the other hand, implant prostheses are fixed prostheses that, instead of being supported by natural teeth,
are supported by previously placed dental implants (titanium pieces that are inserted as an artificial root in
your jawbones and on which we will place the prosthesis).

But... which of them is better?

This is the same doubt that stayed with me during my commute back home after a long day at work. When I
get on the bus, I always connect my airpods and put on a spotify playlist while I look out the window
remembering all the things I have to do, but last Tuesday, when I sat down in what is usually my usual place,
I I realized that I had forgotten to put them in my bag and I would have to go all the way listening to the
whispers of the other passengers.

I was looking out the window and listening to all the noises around me when, without wanting to, my head
paid special attention to the conversation of the two boys sitting behind me, he seems to be a student of
dental prosthetics with his grandfather, conclusions that I drew due to this age. They were debating about
which types of prostheses are more beneficial since he had to do a job on it and he was telling the whole
rant to his poor grandfather who, without knowing anything, accepted everything with his head.

He started to say:

The usual full dentures in the elderly and some not so old people, rest on the gums and the underlying bone
of the mandible or upper jaw. Over time, the gum and bone are reabsorbed and decrease in height and
width. The prostheses no longer fit well and they begin to move, especially when speaking or eating. There
are people who adapt very well, but others cannot get used to it from the beginning. The usual full denture
rests on the mucosa, ie the gums and underlying bone, with the cheeks acting to hold the appliance while
speaking or chewing.
Instead, in the lower part of the mouth, the tongue pushes the denture forward. This makes the lower
complete quite problematic to get a good hold.
This difference is due to the fact that the upper jawbone is spongy and less strong than the lower one, and
therefore requires more implants for the prosthesis to hold. The overdenture clings to the implants that are
located in the front of the mouth, and in the back it rests on the gum, having great stability.

Her grandfather asked her: ‘’But Jan, what is the price difference?’’. To which he replied:

The price of implant-supported fixed dentures is usually a bit higher, but over time, it turns out to be a
cheaper option (the dentures usually require less care and there are no hiccups). The price of fixed
prostheses on implants depends on several factors:
- Number of dental crowns. Depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.
- Number of dental implants. Depending on the characteristics of the patient and the implants needed to fix
the prostheses.
- Quality of materials.

They also present some differences, such as cleaning, since the implants must be very well cleaned and
brushed. Because if food remains around the implants, the bacteria irritate the gum and inflammation of
the gum and bone surrounding the implant can occur. If we let it progress, bone loss occurs, and we could
eventually lose the implant. And, in addition, the aesthetics are also different. In principle, the fixed
prosthesis on implants is the most aesthetic since it is usually made of ceramic, although nowadays resin
dentures are also very aesthetic.

I was sitting there for barely 15 minutes, but I was so enthralled with the conversation that I got off and
walked away thinking about the subject of prostheses. In fact, I got home and, after I finished eating, I began
to investigate the different types of prostheses that exist and I was amazed. Now the one who is hesitating
about which one is better is me. So, I ask the same question to you, my listeners, which one do you prefer?