Fixed Dental Restorations:
Fixed restorations are used to continuously cover completely damaged or missing teeth, as neglecting such conditions can lead to the movement of the remaining teeth, causing jaw pain and permanent damage.
Statistics illustrating the need for fixed restorations:
– 26% of individuals over the age of 65 suffer from the loss of most of their teeth.
– 15% of individuals at the age of 30 have lost at least one tooth.
Impact of Tooth Loss:
Tooth loss affects individuals’ quality of life, making it difficult for them to enjoy the food they love and affecting their self-confidence in daily encounters.
Available Solutions:
Patients turn to compensating for missing teeth, and this can be achieved through dental implants or fixed and removable dental restorations.
Types of Fixed Dental Restorations:
1. Crowns: Installation requiring a mold from all aspects of the tooth to fix a crown on a single tooth.
2. Bridges: Fixed on more than one tooth to replace missing teeth.
3. Veneers: Cosmetic installations requiring a slight reduction in the enamel layer, efficiently working with dental adhesive.
4. Inlay Crowns: Direct installation on the treated tooth.
Installation Process:
The adjacent teeth to the missing tooth are first prepared by shaping and reducing their edges. The restoration is then fixed onto the adjacent teeth using a long-range dental adhesive.
Appearance of Fixed Dental Restorations:
Fixed restorations consider the appearance of natural teeth, with careful selection of the restoration color to blend with the gums and appear natural.
Types of Materials:
– Porcelain: A layer of metal covered with porcelain, requiring special care.
– Zirconia: Composed of a single layer of strong zirconia, metal-free.
– E-max: Consisting of a single layer and considered an aesthetic option for front teeth.
Alternatives to Fixed Restorations:
– Dental Implants: Titanium implants are surgically placed in the jawbone to directly anchor the crown.
Average Lifespan of Fixed Restorations:
The average lifespan of fixed restorations ranges from 10 to 15 years.
Tips for Care of Fixed Dental Restorations:
Fixed dental restorations require special care to ensure their longevity. To maintain your restorations better:
1. Avoid hard chewing: Avoid chewing on hard foods like ice cubes and popcorn kernels, and refrain from attempting to break nut or peanut shells with your teeth, as fixed restorations are not strong enough to withstand such pressures.
2. Reduce consumption of colored substances: It is advisable to reduce the intake of colored beverages and foods such as tea and coffee, and quit smoking to maintain the color of artificial teeth.
3. Avoid using teeth to open containers: Avoid using your teeth to open cans, as this can lead to damage to the teeth or fixed restorations.
4. Maintain oral hygiene: Maintain the cleanliness of fixed dental restorations by using a toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice a day to preserve the health of the teeth and gums.
5. Regular dental visits: It is important to visit the dentist regularly for early detection of any potential problems such as gum inflammation or tooth decay.
6. Respond to pain or malfunction: In case of noticing any pain or malfunction, the patient should respond promptly and visit the dentist to assess the situation and take necessary actions.
Cost:
The cost of dental restorations depends on each patient’s condition and the prior treatments they may need before fixing the restorations. For this reason, prices vary from patient to patient.
When inquiring about the cost, general answers are provided due to the complexity of cases and individual differences in treatment needs. Accurate generalizations about uniform prices cannot be made.
It is important for the patient to talk to the dentist to evaluate their individual case, determine the necessary treatments, and estimate the expected cost.
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