What is a clasp prosthesis?
Clasp dental prosthetics is a widely used treatment method in orthopedic dentistry. Designed to restore teeth in both the lower and upper jaws. The name itself comes from the German “bugel”, which means “arc”, that is, bugel - literally “having an arc”. The design of clasp dentures includes a metal or plastic arch, artificial teeth that are attached to a base that imitates gums, and fixing elements in the form of hooks, clasps or crowns.
Types of installed implants
Clasp products come in different types, and it depends on the material from which the implant is made:
- metal: steel alloys are used;
- metal-ceramic: in addition to metal parts, the prosthesis has ceramic elements;
- plastic: made of acetal material, this significantly reduces the weight of the implant;
- metal-free: made for allergy sufferers.
Products also differ in the type of fixation
Stages of making a clasp prosthesis
Based on the principle of making the frame, the clasp prosthesis is divided into several types: soldered, solid-cast, milled, and based on laser sintering of nanoparticles of a special metal alloy powder. The last two methods are considered the most progressive and allow you to create a high-precision (up to 10 microns) and comfortable design.
Manufacturing takes place in 4 stages:
- first the dental technician creates a plaster model
- Based on the plaster model, a prototype of the prosthesis is cast and scanned
- using the scan, the frame of the clasp structure is modeled on a computer
- the prosthesis is ultimately sintered or milled.
The result exceeds all expectations - the prosthesis fits tightly to the gums and teeth, does not break and looks very aesthetically pleasing.
Manufacturing process
The production of the prosthesis begins after examining the patient, making a diagnosis and making a diagnostic model of both jaws. It is necessary so that the technician and dentist can calculate the number and placement of attachments, and then design a model of the future prosthesis. After this, they begin to sanitize the oral cavity and prepare the supporting teeth for covering them with crowns (treatment of caries, depulpation, installation of pins, grinding). The next stage is taking a silicone impression, which is sent to the laboratory. Temporary crowns are attached to treated and prepared teeth.
Based on the dental impressions obtained, the dental technician makes a frame for the supporting teeth with a matrix and gives it to the doctor for fitting and fitting in the patient’s oral cavity. At the same visit, the color of the future ceramic veneer of ceramic crowns is determined. At the next visit, the finished crowns are fixed with temporary material, the impression is taken again, this time to make the clasp. The crowns, along with silicone impressions, are sent to the laboratory, and temporary crowns are placed on the ground teeth.
In the laboratory, a wax model of the clasp with teeth is first cast, then the final version of the prosthesis is made and carefully verified on working plaster models of the jaws with the patient’s teeth. The finished product is transferred to the clinic.
The dentist fixes metal-ceramic crowns with permanent cement, checks the quality of the locks, makes minor adjustments and places the prosthesis on the patient. At the end of the appointment, the doctor teaches the patient the rules for putting on and removing the denture, caring for it and the oral cavity, and also sets a date for a follow-up examination.
Indications for clasp prosthetics
The main indication for clasp dentures is the inability to install dentures on implants and the presence of at least several supporting teeth to which it could be secured. Partial structures are most often used both to replace several teeth with terminal defects and to restore a single tooth.
Whereas the clasp upper and lower denture completely reproduces the entire dentition. In addition, there is a splinting clasp prosthesis, which is used as a structure that restores and supports teeth. The prosthesis splints teeth affected by periodontitis or periodontal disease from the inside, replaces missing parts of the dentition and prevents the occurrence of adentia and prolongs the performance of the affected teeth.
Contraindications include:
- oral diseases in the acute stage
- increased tooth wear
- diseases leading to bone loss
- low or missing abutment teeth
- deep bite
- chronic neurological and mental diseases
- short frenulum of the tongue
- shallow floor of the mouth
- allergy to metal or other materials used in the design
Classification
Clasp structures refer to a removable or conditionally removable method of prosthetics. They are divided by type of material and type of fastening. The base of the prosthesis, the arch, is made of three types of material:
- Made from medical alloy (cobalt, chromium).
- Noble metals (gold-platinum).
- Plastics.
It is obvious that metal-free clasp dentures are less durable, wear out quickly and break under load. However, it is an inexpensive alternative for patients with high sensitivities and metal allergies.
A more durable option is made from an alloy of gold and platinum. Also suitable for patients with allergies, but costs several times more.
Types of clasp dentures
Clasp dentures are also divided according to the method of their attachment to the supporting teeth. Unlike completely removable structures, which are fixed by suction to the gum or using special adhesives, fixation and installation of clasp dentures occurs using several types of fastening.
On clasps
Clasp dentures with clasps consist of metal hooks that clasp the abutment tooth in the neck area. The clasp clasp prosthesis is attached without grinding down the enamel, provided that the supporting teeth are not destroyed or affected by severe caries. However, this type is not aesthetic enough - the hooks are noticeable when you smile.
On locks or attachments
A locking clasp prosthesis consists of two parts, one of which is attached to the ground abutment teeth, and the second with the help of locks to the prosthesis itself. Unlike other types, a clasp denture with attachments is more immobile, so the load is distributed evenly on the supporting teeth and the alveolar mucosa.
Clasp prosthesis on telescopic crowns
When installing a clasp prosthesis on telescopic crowns, first fixed metal crowns are placed on the supporting teeth, and then ceramic crowns are placed in the prosthesis.
pros
Unlike soft removable dentures, arch structures do not rub the gums and do not cause long-term addiction. Due to the tight fixation, the mobility of the product in the mouth is eliminated. The structure of the prosthesis does not block the palate - this preserves taste sensations during meals. In addition, the clasp denture does not block the movement of the tongue in the mouth. This does not distort diction and does not cause spasms of the facial muscles.
The distribution of load during chewing of food occurs according to the “one to two” principle. That is, one-third of the pressure is on the support unit and two-thirds on the beam system. The arc takes away part of the load, which protects soft tissues from damage and deformation. In classic removable dentures, the chewing load is directed to the gums and palate.
The structural features of the clasp prosthesis determine its shelf life. With proper care, the product will last at least 7 years, while soft prostheses provide functionality for up to 5-6 years. In the absence of a frame in soft removable dentures, the prosthetic bed quickly collapses.
Another advantage of the design is the possibility of parallel dental treatment with a prosthesis installed. Such products are called splinting - they simultaneously replace missing teeth and tightly fix existing ones.
Nylon clasp quadrotti prosthesis
A product of the Italian company Quattro Ti, the quadrotti clasp prosthesis is very similar to a removable nylon prosthesis, with the only difference being that during its manufacture, nylon is mixed with hypoallergenic plastic. The resulting material has a number of advantages: it is more durable than nylon, and artificial teeth do not show through it. According to the manufacturers, this type of metal-free clasp prosthesis does not deform over time, does not cause discomfort when worn, and looks much more aesthetically pleasing than other prostheses. A soft prosthesis is attached to the teeth using plastic clasps, or saddles, covered on top with the same material as the base of the prosthesis. Saddles can be either pink or white, making them unnoticeable on the teeth. As for the disadvantages of the prosthesis, firstly, Quattro Ti is not strong enough, since no matter how strong the plastic is, it cannot be compared with metal. Secondly, a clasp prosthesis with nylon saddles requires special care using special means, which requires additional costs and cannot be repaired.
Caring for clasp dentures
Getting used to the clasp denture may take a couple of days. At first it will be somewhat uncomfortable for you to talk, so you will have to get rid of speech defects with the help of special exercises. Eating will also cause some difficulties. At first, to minimize pain, it is best to divide food into small portions and exclude very hard foods and sticky sweets from the diet. In order to quickly get used to the prosthesis, do not take it off at night.
Twice a day (morning, evening) it is necessary to remove the clasp prosthesis and clean it of plaque using the means recommended by the doctor, and also rinse it in a special antibacterial solution.
The clasp denture should be stored in a container, but not in water. Some types of structures, for example, soft quadrotti dentures, require special care, otherwise they fade and look unsightly on the teeth.
Advantages and disadvantages
For comparison, let’s take the clasp’s “classmates” - fixed bridges and removable plate prostheses. Clasp orthopedic structures, of course, are superior to plate ones in strength, but, like bridges, they are a temporary way to restore the dentition. Despite all the efforts of manufacturers, the clasp is not able to stop the loss of bone tissue, the inevitable decrease of which soon leads to changes in facial features and disturbances in the functioning of the dental system and internal organs. The obvious disadvantages of a removable clasp also include an aesthetic defect when installing a clasp prosthesis, when metal hooks attached to the teeth are visible, and a slow adaptation time to the design. In addition, any denture puts pressure on the gums and causes discomfort when chewing and hypoxia - a condition in which the gums do not have enough nutrition, which causes bone tissue to atrophy even faster. As for the service life of clasp dentures, compared to dental implants, it is quite short and is no more than 10 years. Subject to proper care and timely correction once a year.
How much does partial denture cost?
The average cost of clasp dentures in Moscow consists of the cost of the material, the work of the dental technician and the method of attachment to the supporting teeth. So, despite their popularity, the cost of nylon quadrotti dentures for one jaw is approximately the same as the price of clasp dentures - from 45,000 rubles and more. Clasp dentures with locks are somewhat more expensive - from 35,000 to 80,000 rubles. The most expensive of removable structures are considered to be dentures with telescopic crowns - their price ranges from 100,000 rubles to 200,000 rubles and more. As for clasp dentures on implants, their cost starts from 90,000 to 200,000 rubles and more, depending on the number of implants installed. If you decide to have a clasp prosthesis installed, then choose trusted clinics here.
High-quality clasp prosthetics is a worthy alternative to implantation, and in times of economic depression, clasp prosthetics is the most optimal option for restoring missing teeth.
