Clasp dentures on the upper jaw: photos and nuances of prosthetics

The authors | Last update: 2019

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Next you will learn:

What is a clasp prosthesis and how in general such constructions of this kind look on the upper jaw;
In what cases clasp prosthetics are recommended, and when you should refrain from this;
How exactly the prosthesis is fixed on the jaw and what is important to know about different types of attachment in advance;
And why, in fact, to install a clasp on the upper jaw - maybe it is better to prefer a removable plate acrylic denture?
How is the clasp prosthesis made and how long will you have to wait for it from the moment you first visit the clinic;
Is it possible to accelerate the addiction to the prosthesis and how to properly care for it in order to rid itself of problems in the future;
How much clasp prostheses cost and how much their cost compares with implantation prices.

... And also some other nuances of arch prosthetics that are interesting and important from a practical point of view.

When for one reason or another a dent appears in the dentition, then one or more missing teeth (or even all at once) can be replaced with a prosthesis. And here the most interesting thing arises - but how, in fact, to choose a denture that would allow you to chew normally, and would not interfere in your mouth, and so that it is so technologically advanced that everything would look as if it were native teeth, but not some kind of “false jaw”.

And since we are talking about prosthetics on the upper jaw, it is especially important that the prosthesis is held very securely and does not fly under its own weight when eating or, what would be worse, when talking.

Well, the clasp prosthesis in this regard has quite significant advantages. Today, such designs are quite popular with prosthetics on both the upper and lower jaw.

On a note

The base of the arch prosthesis is a plastic or metal arch (the word bugel is translated from German as “arch”) - this arch ensures the integrity and rigidity of the entire structure, playing an important role in the distribution of chewing load. The arch is attached to a plastic base imitating the gum, and on the basis, in turn, artificial teeth are attached.

The photograph below shows an example of an arch prosthesis on the upper jaw:

The photo shows that the basis of the prosthesis is a metal arc that repeats the individual anatomical shape of the patient’s upper jaw. The arc is connected to two bases on which plastic teeth are mounted. This example clearly shows that to support the clasp prosthesis, not only the gums and palate are needed, but also a certain amount of the remaining not upper jaw teeth.

Generally speaking, all dentures are divided into non-removable (bridges, crowns, tabs, etc.) and removable (there are, however, conditionally removable ones that can only be removed by a doctor with the help of special tools). As you already understood, the clasp prosthesis is an example of a removable denture, that is, the owner can easily remove it yourself.

So, some dentists believe that with the loss of a large number of teeth and limited finances, and even with sufficient finances in a number of clinical cases (when there are contraindications for dental implants), clasp prosthetics may be almost the only acceptable option for restoring aesthetics and chewing function .

Is this really so, or are such statements banal advertising? Anyway, do you need a clasp prosthesis, or is there a more reliable, convenient and cheaper design for prosthetics on the upper jaw? Let's figure it out ...

Indications and contraindications for arch prosthetics

Before solving certain problems with the clasp prosthesis, it is useful to have an idea of when it can be installed and comfortable with him for many years, and when such a prosthesis is contraindicated due to possible harm to health.

So, for starters, we note the indications for clasp prosthetics, that is, those situations where the "clasp" is allowed as a removable orthopedic design:

Multiple defects in the dentition;
Single and bilateral end defects of dentitions;
The absence of more than 4 teeth in the anterior region of the upper and (or) lower jaw;
Loss of more than 3 back teeth;
Defects in the dentition associated with gum disease (periodontitis, periodontal disease).

To these indications, you can also add some nuances of arch prosthetics in general. In particular, for the normal installation of the clasp prosthesis, at least 5 teeth must be present on your upper jaw so that the pressure during chewing is evenly distributed. It is also important to consider that supporting teeth should not have inflammatory processes on the roots.

Bite peculiarities can also influence the course of future prosthetics, and in some clinical cases make it possible to install a clasp prosthesis only with certain types of attachment (we will talk about attachments a bit later).

Now about the contraindications of arch prosthetics. Installation of the upper and lower clasp prostheses is contraindicated in:

Low supporting teeth, as well as in the absence of the necessary teeth for fastening the clasp;
General diseases and diseases of the oral cavity in the acute stage;
Diseases leading to bone loss
Deep bite;
Pregnancy and lactation;
Radiation therapy;
A short frenum of the tongue (for a prosthesis on the lower jaw);
Addiction;
Mental disorders;
Allergies to arch prosthesis materials.

On a note

In fact, this list of contraindications is very conditional, if only because some of them (for example, diseases in the acute stage, radiation therapy, a short frenulum of the tongue, etc.) are eliminated over a given period of time.

Pregnancy and lactation are not always considered by the attending physicians as a reason to abandon the clasp suitable in this situation. An allergy to arch prosthesis materials (in the case of the upper jaw can be, for example, irritation of the sky) can be overcome by using other types of alloys or special protective coatings on the same design.

How a prosthesis can be mounted on the upper jaw: advantages and disadvantages of different types of attachment

As you understand, when installing a clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw, the reliability of fastening and its invisibility to others come to the fore: the prosthesis should not slide down under its weight, and the fasteners should not fall into the smile zone, if possible. And if the situation with the reliability of fastening clasps is generally good, then there are some nuances with aesthetics ...

Fastenings of the upper and lower clasp prostheses are divided into the following types:

Clasp;
Castle.

On a note

There is also fixation of the clasp prosthesis on telescopic crowns, but it is rarely used in Russia due to the increased complexity and, as a consequence, the high cost. The principle of the method is that metal crowns are made and fixed on the supporting teeth (that is, this part of the system is non-removable). And on the basis of a removable clasp prosthesis, wider metal-ceramic crowns are attached, which are able to fit tightly on the supporting teeth with metal crowns. It turns out that the crown is put on the crown, which is why this mount is called telescopic.

The photo below shows an example of a clasp prosthesis on telescopic crowns on the lower jaw:

And in the following photos - an example of using a clasp prosthesis on telescopic crowns for prosthetics on the upper jaw:

Such clasp prostheses are made in large dentists and cost an average of 2-3 times more expensive than the "classic" options (with clasp and lock mounts). However, if you want the clasp prosthesis on your upper jaw to look perfect in terms of aesthetics, then the telescopic option may be the best solution.

Clasp fixation of clasp prostheses is today one of the most popular. A clasp is a kind of hook that performs not only a holding, but also a supporting function: about a third of the chewing load falls on the supporting teeth with a clasp, and two three on the gum.

It is also useful to read: Fixed adhesive bridges

Photo of clasp prosthesis with clasps:

The main disadvantage of clamming fixation is not always perfect aesthetics. Simply put, with a smile and a conversation, these same clasps (hooks) will be visible on the teeth. Clammers that are mounted on the teeth of the upper jaw located in the smile zone are especially noticeable.

Nevertheless, due to the simplicity and reliability of the design, it is the clasps that are today the most common way to hold the upper and lower clasp prostheses in the oral cavity. The following varieties exist:

Restraint;
Supporting;
Combined.

They differ in the nature of the transmission of chewing load: on the mucous membrane of the gums and (or) supporting teeth.

On a note

A reasonable question may arise: if you want to install the clasp prosthesis on the clasps, is it necessary to cover the supporting teeth with crowns?

So, the clasp clasp prosthesis can be installed without turning the enamel of the teeth under the crowns, provided that the supporting teeth are healthy (for example, not too damaged by caries). If a significant part of the tooth is destroyed, then in order not to spoil the supporting teeth completely, it is advisable to install crowns on them.

The next type of fastening of clasp prostheses is locks, otherwise called attachments. Clasp clasp dentures have a number of advantages over clasp dentures, and their main advantage is a higher aesthetics. In other words, for surrounding the prosthesis attachment will be practically not noticeable.

The fact is that locks, unlike clasps, are “hidden” on the inside of the abutment teeth: one part of the lock is on the crown, which is worn on the abutment, and the second part is located on the basis of the clasp prosthesis. When installing the prosthesis, the lock simply snaps into place.

Below is a photograph of the clasp prosthesis on the locks (attachments) on the upper jaw:

On a note

Locks have many advantages in functional terms, that is, in the nature of the distribution of pressure on the prosthesis. Attachments allow you to better adapt and fix the clasp for comfortable chewing food, which ultimately determines the convenience of wearing and using the prosthesis.

At first glance, it may seem that the prosthesis on the locks will be problematic to remove - in fact, this is not so: the structure is easily removed for periodic cleaning.

However, the clasp clasp dentures have significant disadvantages:

The increased complexity of manufacturing also determines their higher price compared to clasp prostheses (in some clinical cases, the price is comparable to the cost of prostheses on telescopic crowns);
In addition, the installation of the clasp prosthesis on the locks involves the turning of several abutment teeth to install a ceramic-metal crown on them.

Feedback:

“... My husband is setting now. We looked at other options, but in no other way it turns out. We decided to do on clasps. The orthopedist warned that addiction will last for about a month. The problem is that we have little choice, either implants or a clasp prosthesis.And implants are very expensive and they would have to be put a lot. "

Irina, St. Petersburg

Features of arch prosthetics on the upper jaw

As a rule, the installation of the upper arch prosthesis is resorted to in cases where the upper jaw does not have several or most of the teeth (especially the terminal), a flat palate (usually in the elderly due to atrophy of the alveolar processes) and there is no possibility of non-removable prosthetics (for example, on implants )

The design of clasp prostheses on the upper jaw can vary significantly. For example, the connecting arch of the prosthesis may be on the front, middle or back of the palate, and the shape of the dental arch may be in the form of a horseshoe, strip or ring. Thus, the clasp prosthesis will look different, depending on the nuances of a particular clinical situation.

Here are some photos of clasp dentures on the upper jaw:

As for the use of clammer or castle fixation for prosthetics on the upper jaw, this is largely determined not only by the clinical prerequisites, but also by the financial capabilities of the patient (a prosthesis on attachments will cost significantly more).

Note: is it possible to install a complete clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw?

As you understand, a complete prosthesis is made in the absence of all teeth, and in the context of arch prosthetics, it is required that the jaw has several abutment teeth at once for adequate retention and functioning of the structure. Therefore, in the absence of all teeth on the upper jaw, a clasp prosthesis cannot be installed.

Nevertheless, such a variant of prosthetics is possible: initially implantation is performed with the installation of at least 4 implants, and then complete prosthetics based on the installed implants.

Sometimes, in the pursuit of cheapness when prosthetics on the upper jaw, patients are still inclined to install removable laminar dentures made of acrylic plastic. What is useful to keep in mind in this regard:

Classical acrylic dentures often cause allergies and prosthetic stomatitis, in contrast to arc structures;
In addition, having a large prosthetic bed, acrylic prostheses can not only rub the mucous membrane, but also generally not allow them to be worn due to the increased gag reflex (as a result, if you read the reviews, patients simply put them on the shelf and do not wear them). The arc of the clasp is rather narrow and minimizes such unpleasant phenomena.

Could a special glue be required for a more secure fixation of the clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw?

Many elderly people know firsthand that dentures can “stick” to the sky, and often for their successful retention, medical adhesives (gels) are required. So, the clasp is held in the mouth according to a different principle - that is why reliable abutment teeth, to which the prosthesis will be attached, are so important for this prosthetics.

Nevertheless, despite the obvious disadvantages of lamellar acrylic dentures, one should not forget that their price, unlike clasps, is much more accessible to the general population. And what is important, in a number of clinical situations, such prostheses are in fact not inferior to clasp ones, especially with correctly planned treatment, when the pros and cons are taken into account.

Feedback

“My mother got a clasp prosthesis a year ago instead of a removable jaw, which her friend-neighbors in the country wear. And I swear, she doesn’t take it off even at night, she just brushes it constantly after eating to a shine with a brush and toothpaste. Actually, the clasp is miniature and you cannot distinguish it from your teeth. The neighbors even thought that we forked out half a million and put implants to mom. It looks like in the best Hollywood movie ... "

Violetta, 35 years old, Omsk

Stages of manufacturing an arch prosthesis

The dentist who makes the prosthetics plan is an orthopedist.It is he who determines all the nuances of the process, and first of all - which teeth to choose to support the future clasp prosthesis, and which of them must be removed due to their deplorable state.

On a note

Moving teeth, as well as badly damaged by the carious process (much lower than the gum level) and teeth with large cysts, are most often removed by a dental surgeon. If it is impossible to carry out, for some reason, adequate treatment of the canals to prepare the tooth for support, it is also usually subject to removal.

On average, prosthetics takes about 1.5-2 months, sometimes less.

Consider the steps of manufacturing a clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw as an example:

At the first stage, the orthopedic dentist takes impressions ("casts") of the upper and lower jaw of the patient;

It is interesting

Previously, plaster was actively used to remove dental impressions. The problem was that when hardened gypsum was removed from the oral cavity, there were rare cases of removal of movable teeth. Later, much more perfect impression masses appeared, which are easily and without problems removed, causing minimal inconvenience to the patient.

At the second stage, the dental technician manufactures in the laboratory special working models of the upper and lower jaw, as well as temporary crowns: if the future clasp prosthesis is with locks or telescopic crowns, it will be important to cover the supporting teeth with "temporary huts";
At the third stage, the teeth are turned and then covered with temporary crowns;
Then impressions for the clasp are removed, permanent crowns are made on them;
The fifth stage consists in trying on a fabricated clasp prosthesis in the patient's mouth;
Then follows the final stage of the manufacture of the prosthesis in the laboratory;
At the last stage, the prosthesis is given to the patient for use, and recommendations on care are issued.

It is also useful to read: Butterfly dentures and important nuances of prosthetics with their help

How to properly care for the prosthesis and how long it will take to get used to it

At first glance, it might seem that since the clasp prosthesis is an artificial design, then the bacteria are not afraid of him, which means that it would not seem so important to look after him, unlike native teeth and gums. In fact, everything is exactly the opposite: any denture requires care, and even more thorough than for native teeth.

The rules for caring for arch prostheses are not so many - their observance not only prolongs the life of the structure and preserves its original aesthetic parameters, but also significantly reduces the risk of inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the prosthesis (gums, as well as the palate, if it is a prosthesis on upper jaw).

The principles of prosthesis care are as follows:

It is recommended to rinse the prosthesis with water after each meal;
Clasp denture is cleaned in the same way as brushing your own teeth, that is, with a regular toothbrush and regular toothpaste (without the use of coarse abrasives and chemicals such as soda, bleach, citric acid, and also without the use of hot water);
Cleaning artificial teeth from plaque should be carried out at least 2-3 times a day after eating with a toothbrush and paste. It is better to choose pasta without a whitening effect. Any options for experiments are best coordinated with the doctor, for example, the use of special solutions for cleaning prostheses.

On a note

The service life of the clasp prosthesis usually does not exceed 10 years, subject to careful care. It is also necessary to timely correct the prosthesis as necessary (the need for correction should be determined by the doctor at least 1 time per year).

As for getting used to the prosthesis - yes, there are often certain problems. Sometimes clasp prostheses on the upper and lower jaw can be felt by the patient as a foreign body in the oral cavity.Moreover, the severity of this problem is determined not so much by the quality of manufacture of the structure as by individual characteristics of a person, which are also associated with the psycho-emotional state at a given time and even with temperament.

The more the patient is configured for a positive outcome, the more calmly he treats a little discomfort, the less problems there are with getting used to the prosthesis, and vice versa.

Usually a violation of diction, chewing, some soreness at first, etc. - These are all temporary problems that are not very pronounced after clasp prosthetics, and are overcome within a few days. Orthopedic dentists are well aware of these nuances and themselves offer various methods of accelerated addiction to the prosthesis.

On a note

For example, if chewing is difficult (out of habit), you need to try to chew slowly and, if possible, “practice” often enough: you can divide meals into 8 small servings that you eat during the day. For problems with diction, it is recommended to sing and communicate more with friends and relatives.

Training and patience lead to success in the vast majority of cases, and it is extremely rare to adjust the prosthesis due to problems with addiction.

What price can the clasp prosthesis on the upper jaw cost, and is there any way to save

First of all, it should be borne in mind that each clinical situation is individual, and therefore the prices for arch prosthetics can vary significantly. Let's look further at what approximately prices can be guided on average.

If, for example, up to 5-7 teeth are "restored" on the upper jaw with a clasp prosthesis, then the cost of prosthetics will average 50-100 thousand rubles (the price, of course, is very approximate, and will also depend on the level of the clinic). Clasps with clasp fixation are cheaper than clasp prostheses on locks. In turn, locking prostheses will be cheaper than those fixed on telescopic crowns.

The number of attachments and crowns also directly affects the final cost of the clasp prosthesis.

On a note

As already noted above, arch prostheses are significantly more expensive than removable laminar dentures made of acrylic plastic (sometimes many times). This is especially true for Quattro Ti clasp dentures that resemble removable nylon prostheses and are characterized by enhanced aesthetics and wearing comfort.

If the prices for arch prosthetics are compared with dental implantation, then the situation is as follows. Clasp prostheses are most often chosen to replace a large number of missing teeth, so even if the final cost of the prosthesis is 100-150 thousand rubles, it will still turn out to be much cheaper than installing several implants on the upper or lower jaw followed by metal-ceramic prosthetics on them .

Feedback:

“I put myself two prostheses. Before that, I chewed 15 teeth, but what's the point, the pieces flew directly into the stomach. Health problems started, you do not want, but you had to put in teeth. In short, I was advised of a clasp prosthesis, it looks attractive, the price is acceptable. First, the doctor put him in a chair and advised me to put 8 implants with crowns in the next room, counted 380 thousand for all the work. Yes, my toothless jaw almost fell off that price. I immediately refused, then he offered a clasp prosthesis for 40. It turned out that the catch, 40 pieces is only one jaw, but I was reassured that 80 will not work, and the cost will be at the level of 70. So it turned out approximately ... ".

Maxim, Nizhnekamsk

And in conclusion, one important point should be noted, which is often forgotten (let alone, many patients do not know about this at all). Clasp dentures, like all removable laminar dentures (“false jaws”), are considered by dentists a temporary way to restore aesthetics and chewing function.

The fact is that despite all the technological tricks, no clasp is able to stop the atrophy of the bone tissue of the jaw, which will not receive proper chewing load. A decrease in bone tissue, in turn, will lead to a gradual change in facial features and some other undesirable processes associated with the work of the entire dentition.

But, as they say, "there is nothing more permanent than temporary," and in Russia today the reality is that patients use arch prostheses as permanent ones.