subject: Dental Implants - Fabrication Of Prosthetic Teeth [print this page] When an individual loses a tooth, they may experience a major change in their ability to eat, as well as in their appearance and confidence levels. Things once taken for granted, such as eating an apple, kissing a partner or smiling for photographs may now become a struggle. In such cases, one may begin to consciously realise, for the first time, just how important ones teeth are to their personal lifestyle. Today, however, modern advances in dentistry, such as dental implant treatment, have ensured that one doesnt have to suffer from missing teeth any longer.
If you are suffering from missing teeth, then dental implants may be just what you need. They usually consist of small screws, which are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, stainless steel or zirconia. These screws are implanted into the jawbone, and are left to heal for around three to six months, depending on the particular case. After it has been determined that the bone in the jaw has successfully integrated with the implants, prosthetic teeth are mounted to them, to complete the restoration.
How are artificial teeth made?
While in a few cases, the dental implantologist may attach prefabricated crowns to the implant, in most cases, a customised tooth is usually fabricated for each patient. This is done because the shape and colour of every patients teeth is generally different, making it difficult to find a pre-fabricated tooth that is a good match. Also, the shape of the space left by a missing tooth may also vary, which often necessitates the cutting down of a pre-fabricated tooth to fit into it.
Some of the common materials used in the fabrication of prosthetic teeth are:
Porcelain: This was the earliest material used for making prosthetic teeth.
Acrylic: Usually the most aesthetically pleasing, they are also more affordable than teeth made from other materials.
Metal: Known for its strength, some of the common metals used are chromium, cobalt, nickel and titanium.
Combination: Ceramic or acrylic is sometimes combined with a metal, to create a prosthetic tooth that is not only durable, but also very attractive looking.
Artificial teeth are generally fabricated by a restorative dentist or ceramist in a dental laboratory, after an impression of the patients jaw is taken. This impression is used to fabricate a stone model of the patients jaw, which is used as a mould for fabricating a single tooth, a fixed bridge or a denture. At the next appointment, this prosthetic tooth is usually mounted to the teeth implant, together with an abutment.
by: jhon
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