Clasp prosthesis: how to decide on the choice of design

• care and repair features. Professional care.

Bugel in German means an arc, so the name defines the design features in which there is a metal arcuate frame, attached to it is a gum-shaped girder base and directly artificial teeth.

In the photo clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw

The strength and reliability of such a removable orthopedic structure with a uniform load distribution at the same time on the mucosa and supporting teeth provides a metal arch.

Clasp dentures can be called an improved version of plate-shaped removable structures.

As a rule, such prosthetics becomes the only possible option when it is impossible to install non-removable bridges.

Advantages and special features of

Today, clasp dentures are in the lead in popularity among other artificial dental structures. This is due to the convenience of their use and high quality workmanship, the ease of construction and the preservation of aesthetics of a smile.

Also, the role is played by the possibility of using this type of prosthetics in situations where it is necessary to prevent further loss of teeth, and not just to restore the structure of the dentition.

Features of this solution:

• minimum volume and thickness in comparison with plastic counterparts;
• replacement of a voluminous plastic jumper on the front teeth( with prosthetics on the upper jaw) with a thin metal arc that does not violate speech and taste perception;
• ensuring the normal movement of the tongue when installing the prosthesis on the lower teeth, so that diction and chewing food are not disturbed;
• service life is about 5 years;
• minimally affects the gum and bone tissues in contact with the prosthesis;
• high structural strength;
• possibility of round-the-clock use;
• simplicity of care.

In the photo plastic( left) and clasp( right) prosthesis

Unpleasant sensations when wearing a prosthesis can occur only at the stage of habituation.

Who needs these prostheses?

Indications for the installation of clasp prostheses are:

• replacement of one or more teeth;
• an obvious defect in the integrity of the dentition;
• requiring correction of curvature forming a row of teeth;
• need to splint teeth when treating periodontal disease.

Contraindications to the installation of

Situations in which such prostheses are not recommended:

• inflammation of the oral mucosa, flowing in an acute form;
• presence of diabetes mellitus or oncological diseases;
• impossibility of fixation on supporting teeth;
• intolerance of prosthetic structures;
• exacerbation of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, respiratory system diseases;
• presence of mental disorder or drug addiction.

For more information on the stages of clasp prosthetics, see this video:

What modern dentistry offers

Depending on the material of the manufacturer, clasp dentures can be:

• acetal;
• nylon;
• zirconium;
• by chromocobalt;
• titanium.

In addition, the braces are distinguished by the type of execution.

On clasps

In such designs, special hooks are used to hold the prosthesis, which are densely placed on supporting teeth. The modification of clasps is determined on an individual basis and depends on the specific clinical situation.

Advantages of construction:

• continuous operation;
• tight fixation on the jaw;
• easy wearing;
• no need for correction;
• fast adaptation;
• use of a small prosthetic area;
• one-piece frame;
• possibility of adding additional artificial teeth to the existing prosthesis.

The only drawback is a violation of aesthetics due to the entry into the field of view of metal clasps.

On the telescopic crowns

On the photo the prosthesis on the telescopic crowns

Telescopic crowns provide high reliability of the construction and maximum convenience of wearing the prosthesis. For fixation, not only the patient's supporting teeth, but also implants can be used.

The low popularity is explained by the complexity of manufacturing bugels of this type and the high cost due to this factor.

Telescopic locks are in the form of a truncated cone with a detachable lower part fixedly fixed in the supporting tooth.

The tight fixation is provided by the precision of manufacture called the base matrix and the removable die. For the best fit, about 5-7 fixing telescopes are used( sometimes two supporting structures are sufficient to hold a bridge of four teeth).

Solution for locks

Clasp locks feature a practically fixed fixing of the prosthesis. The main chewing pressure with this design is on the supporting teeth, which are worn with special crowns of cermets.

Thanks to the latent fixing elements inside the prosthesis, a high aesthetic quality of the prosthesis is ensured. Advantages:

• increased in comparison with the clocks accuracy;
• is the minimum period of habituation;
• continuous operation;
• , if necessary, replacement of matrices with re-activation;
• stable attachment to the jaw;
• easy wearing and maintenance;
• preservation of diction.

Bibliography

Such braces are indicated for patients diagnosed with:

• teeth dislocation in a row;
• periodontal disease;
• absence of support tooth on one side;
• exposure of the roots of the teeth.

Along with the clasps in the design, metal spikes are provided for fixing each tooth separately.

As a result, it is possible to exclude a mechanical effect when eating on the oral mucosa and further loosening of the teeth.

Due to the complexity of the manufacture, the prosthetics are of a rather high cost.

Clasp prosthesis on implants

In the photo clasp prostheses of the lower and upper jaw on implants

This kind of clasp prosthesis is used in the presence of end defects of the dentition.

An important condition without which the installation of a clamp on the implants becomes impossible is the sufficient thickness of the jawbone in which it is planned to insert the replacement artificial structures that replace the lost supporting teeth( the implants serve as the support and fixing points for the prosthesis).

The method of fixation is determined by the doctor with dental prosthetics separately for each individual patient.

Care and features of repair of artificial structures

As already noted, the claws are easy to operate and do not require special care. At the same time, it is important to devote enough time to activities related to the cleaning of artificial structures to prevent the development of bacterial infection on the oral mucosa.

In general, care of bugles implies the following procedures:

1. Hygienic cleaning of at least twice a day( always after waking up or before going to bed).Regular rinsing is not enough, so a toothbrush with paste is used for cleaning, which effectively eliminates plaque and food remnants.
2. Rinse the mouth of the after each meal with ordinary running water.
3. Daily cleaning of the structure with the use of pastes and solutions intended for the care of dentures( abrasives for removable structures are not applicable).The solution can be purchased in ready-made form or done independently, using special tablets. The prosthetic structure is left in the solution for 10 minutes to remove food particles and bacterial plaque invisible to the eye, difficult to remove colored stains. In addition to cleaning, the solution allows to protect the metal parts of the prosthesis from the development of corrosion processes.

Professional care

In addition to self-cleaning clasp prostheses, it is sometimes necessary to process the structure in a dental clinic.

The need for professional care and repair arises from the accumulation of solid deposits on the parts of the prosthesis as a result of poorly conducted home activities.

The adverse effects of external factors and the wear of the structure can lead to breakage of the clasp. Removing the defects allows the device to be restored.

Reasons for repair are:

• fracture of molded clamper;
• cracks on the basis( eliminate by gluing using dental resins);
• broken or dropped tooth( return to the place or make a new one);
• loss of supporting tooth( artificial tooth can be welded);
• breakage of the lock;
• fracture of the metal frame( delayed repair using laser welding).

After repair, the reconstructed structure must be corrected to ensure a comfortable position in the mouth.

Restoration is not possible with the following damages:

• breakdown of the stamped structure;
• fracture of the cast frame;
• fracture of the arc of the clasp.

Only the manufacture of a new prosthesis solves such problems.

To minimize damage to man-made structures to a minimum, it is desirable to clean the soft surface( folding several times a terry towel) or a water-filled container.

Also, avoid cracking solid food and get rid of bad habits( gnawing pencils, snacking threads).At least once every six months you should visit a dentist who will assess the condition of the prosthesis.

Patients' opinion

Evaluating the effectiveness of clasp prostheses is helped by the feedback of patients who have established structures of this type.