Prosthodontics

The loss of a single tooth is rarely just an aesthetic issue. When chewing becomes less comfortable, the teeth adjacent to the gap begin to bear a different load, and an old denture causes chafing; the prosthodontist then restores the dentition so that the restoration is stable and adapted to the bite.

Dental prosthetics involves the restoration of lost or damaged teeth. At our practice in Łódź, we take into account chewing function, clear speech and the natural appearance of the smile, and we tailor the treatment plan to the number of missing teeth, the condition of the mouth and the patient’s expectations.

The causes of tooth loss can include poor oral hygiene, root canal treatment carried out too late, sports injuries, accidents and extractions. Each of these situations requires a different type of restoration. Even a small gap can, over time, alter the way you chew and make speaking less comfortable.

When should you see a prosthodontist?

A visit to a prosthodontist is recommended in cases of single missing teeth, larger cavities and complete edentulism. A consultation in Łódź is also worth considering if the aim is to improve the appearance of your teeth or to restore a tooth that is so badly damaged that a standard filling is not sufficient.

People of all ages can benefit from the services of a prosthodontist. Prosthetic treatment is available to patients who have suffered injuries, had a tooth extracted or undergone root canal treatment, as well as those who have been using removable dentures for years. What may appear to be a minor defect can, over time, disrupt the balance of the bite.

What are the signs that indicate that reconstruction is needed?

The most common reasons for a visit include:

• a single missing tooth following extraction, injury or an accident,
• a larger cavity making it difficult to bite and chew food,
• a tooth damaged by tooth decay or root canal treatment,
• complete edentulism in one or both jaws,
• an old denture that moves around, cracks or causes chafing.

Assessing the situation allows us to choose a solution tailored to the conditions in the mouth. This also applies to patients who enquire about dentures after losing all their teeth, as in such cases it is not only appearance that matters, but also the ability to chew food effectively.

How does a missing tooth affect your bite?

The loss of a tooth sets off a chain of changes throughout the dental arch. Adjacent teeth may shift, tilt and rotate – that is, turn round their own axis – and the way one chews becomes less symmetrical.

Delaying restoration for too long reduces the enjoyment of eating, may contribute to gum and periodontal disease, and increases the risk of tooth decay around the gap. Missing teeth also affect one’s well-being, as many people start to avoid smiling freely.

The aims of prosthetic treatment include:

• restoring the ability to chew properly,
• stabilisation of the position of adjacent teeth,
• improved articulation, i.e. clearer pronunciation,
• a natural-looking smile.

What does a dental prosthetist do?

A dental prosthetist is responsible for diagnosing tooth loss, planning restorations and fitting fixed or removable dentures. Their role also includes adjusting and repairing dentures when the material wears out or suffers mechanical damage.

A dental prosthetist does not simply choose a restoration from a catalogue. At our practice in Łódź, they first assess your bite – that is, how your upper and lower teeth fit together – as well as the condition of your gums and bones, and what you expect from your treatment.

How does the work of a prosthodontist differ from general dental treatment?

A dentist provides a wide range of oral healthcare treatments, whilst a prosthodontist focuses on replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged ones. This specialisation enables the selection of crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers and implant-supported restorations.

In practice, this means combining function, aesthetics and durability. A dental restoration should not only look natural, but also distribute chewing forces evenly, avoid irritating the tissues and facilitate daily cleaning, regardless of whether it is a single missing tooth or extensive edentulism.

What does a prosthetic consultation involve?

A prosthetic consultation begins with a medical history and an examination of the mouth. We then assess the condition of the existing teeth, the gums, the prosthetic base – that is, the tissues on which the denture rests – and any dental restorations the patient is already wearing.

As part of the treatment plan, we use scans, intraoral photographs and, where necessary, X-rays or CT scans to produce a three-dimensional image. Before carrying out the work, we also take an impression or a scan of the teeth. We also assess whether the condition of the gums and abutment teeth needs to be stabilised prior to restoration.

Following the diagnosis, we discuss possible solutions, the next stages of treatment, the fitting process and the expected cost. This approach makes it easier to plan the next steps. If you have any questions about a bridge, a crown, a partial denture or an implant-supported restoration, a prosthetic consultation will be helpful.

Which prosthetic restorations do we most commonly choose?

Dental prostheses are divided into fixed and removable types. Fixed prostheses cannot be removed from the mouth by the patient themselves, whilst removable prostheses can be taken out for hygiene purposes, which makes cleaning and monitoring their condition easier.

The choice does not depend on a single factor. What matters is the number of missing teeth, the condition of your natural teeth, your bite, the level of comfort you expect, and how easy they are to look after on a daily basis.

Fixed restorations: when stability matters

We opt for fixed restorations when stability and a sensation similar to that of natural teeth are the priority. A prosthetic crown restores the damaged part of a tooth when a standard filling no longer provides sufficient durability, for example following root canal treatment, a fracture or extensive tooth decay.

A dental bridge allows one or more missing teeth to be replaced at the same time. Its design takes into account the appearance of the dental arch, articulation and chewing function, regardless of whether it is supported by abutment teeth – that is, the teeth providing support for the bridge – or by implants. The choice of bridge depends, amongst other things, on the number of missing teeth and the condition of the abutment teeth, and its permanent fixation results in a different sensation when eating and speaking.

Removable dentures, when extensive restoration is required

Removable dentures are used to treat partial tooth loss and complete edentulism. Partial dentures are fitted for patients who still have some of their own teeth, whilst complete dentures are used when all the teeth in one or both jaws are missing.

We recommend acrylic dentures for patients who are edentulous or have extensive tooth loss, as they adhere to the prosthetic base, make chewing easier and mimic natural teeth. We mainly use partial dentures for patients with partial tooth loss, and the metal framework increases their resistance to mechanical damage.

Nylon dentures are lightweight, flexible and fit well, which makes it easier for some patients to adapt to them. In cases of extensive tooth loss, they help restore chewing function and make oral hygiene easier. Partial dentures can be secured with clasps, i.e. hooks that attach to the remaining teeth, and the fact that the dentures can be removed makes thorough cleaning easier. For older people who enquire at our practice in Łódź about dentures for seniors, chewing ability, the number of remaining teeth and the ability to maintain good oral hygiene are more important factors than age.

This table sets out the most commonly used solutions:

Every denture should be tailored to the patient’s bite and aesthetic requirements. The material alone does not solve the problem if the shape of the denture does not correspond to the conditions in the mouth.

Bridges, crowns, veneers and implants in practice

Bridges, crowns, veneers and implants serve different purposes, but they all share a common goal. Each of these solutions is designed to restore the teeth so that they are functional, comfortable and in harmony with the patient’s smile.

When cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics come together, the treatment plan at our clinic in Łódź goes beyond simply filling a gap. The proportions of the teeth, their colour and stable occlusal contacts are also important.

What is the step-by-step process for making a bridge and a crown?

The fabrication of a bridge or crown is carried out in stages, as precision has a direct impact on the fit, comfort and durability of the restoration. Bridge restoration usually involves several stages, although the final plan depends on the number of missing teeth and the condition of the abutment teeth. In the case of a bridge, we also assess whether the abutment teeth are strong enough to bear the load.

The process of making a bridge or crown usually involves:

1. assessment and treatment plan,
2. preparation of abutment teeth or assessment of an implant,
3. taking an impression or a scan,
4. fitting and alterations,
5. final placement and occlusal adjustment.

Once the restoration has been fitted, we check the bite and how comfortable it is to speak. The bridge should take into account both aesthetics and articulation – that is, the clear pronunciation of sounds – whilst the crown is designed to protect the weakened tooth from further strain.