Fixed Dentures Abroad

Types of Dentures

Low Cost Fixed Dentures Abroad

Overall, a good quality arch of dentures could easily cost up to $8000 in the US. However, permanent dentures cost can save your overall expenditure up to 60% to 70% abroad.

A cost comparison of dental bridge and an implant-based denture is given here.

Comparison for Dental Bridge Cost Abroad

The cost of fixed dentures depends upon several parameters. This includes material, lab cost, and additional procedures.

For fixed denture abroad, the cost is influenced by the country, your case specifics and travel expenses as well.

What Are Fixed Dentures?

A denture is a set of artificial teeth and gums to replace the lost teeth in your mouth. Fixed dentures are permanently attached in the mouth either through a bridge or implants.

On the basis of the area covered by fixed dentures, these are divided into two parts:

Fixed Partial Dentures: Partial fixed dentures or dental bridge can be used in patients who still have few teeth left in their mouth. A partial fixed denture is better known as Dental Bridge.

Fixed Complete Dentures: This denture is used in the edentulous patients where it is supported by dental implants. All-on-4/6 and 8 implants based dentures are complete fixed dentures.

Fixed Partial Dentures or Dental Bridges

Fixed partial dentures fill the gaps or spaces caused due to the loss of one or more teeth. Hence, these are often referred to as “dental bridges” as they perform a bridging function.

Fixed Partial Denture

A traditional dental bridge comprises of:

• Two dental crowns, for teeth on either side of the gap.
• False teeth (or tooth known as pontic) that lies in between.

It can be supported by natural teeth, dental implants or a combination of both. Moreover, it is firmly cemented with the supporting structures and thus unremovable. Materials like porcelain, porcelain mixed with metal, or gold can be used.

Types of Fixed Dental Bridge

Apart from a traditional dental bridge, there are two more types of bridges. They are:

Cantilever Bridge

When the supporting teeth are present only on one side of the gap, then a cantilever bridge is a suitable option.

Here, one or more crowns are used which provides support to the pontic (artificial tooth).

Tooth Supported Cantilever Bridge

Maryland Bonded Bridge

Also known as resin-bonded bridge, this is another modification to the commonly used bridge.

It consists of one false tooth which is bonded to a set of 'wings' on either side. These wings are usually made of metal, although porcelain can be used and are placed on the backside of the tooth.

Maryland Bonded Bridge

Procedure for Fixing Dental Bridge

• Preliminary Assessment: The dentist assesses your oral condition and the location of anchoring tooth.
• Filing Adjacent Tooth: The procedure begins with filing of the adjacent teeth. It is called "reduction".
• Impression: Once the filing is completed, your dental impression is sent to the lab.
• Material: Metal like gold or porcelain fused with metal (PFM) are usually used for bridges.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

A dental bridges present several advantages which include,

• It resembles natural teeth and performs real-like functions with equal effectiveness.
• Helps in proper grinding and chewing of food.
• Have greater strength and are more robust compared to the removable dentures.
• Highly stable.
• Restore natural tone and speech.
• Cheaper as compared to dental implants.

Risks Associated With Dental Bridge

There are certain risks that are associated with the use of dental bridge. These include:

• Increased risk of developing dental problems like cavities and requires a high level of oral hygiene.
• Weakening of adjacent teeth which are filed to adjust the dental crown. This may also increase stress on them which can lead to cracking.
• Several dentist visits are needed, initially for filing of the anchoring tooth and subsequently for placing the dental bridge.
• Rigid oral care is required, which includes regular brushing; flossing and regular visits to the dentist to control the build-up of plaque.

A fixed denture may last for up to 8-10 years. However, if adequate care is not taken, bacterial infection would affect the longevity of the prosthetic.

Implant-based Fixed Dentures Abroad

Fixed Complete Dentures are also known as Implant-supported dentures. These are fully functional teeth mounted on implants that provide better stability.

Implant-based dentures can be supported on four and or six/eight implants. On the basis of the number of implants, they are mainly classified into the following types:

All-on-4 based Dentures

The all-on-4 fixed dentures are mounted on 4 implants, hence the name. This concept was first used successfully in 1998 by Dr. Paulo Malo.^[1]

All-on-4 Based Dentures

All-on-6/8 Implant Based Denture

All-on-six/eight dentures are mounted on six or eight implants. This arrangement provides better support to your bite.

These are comfortable and last longer as the pressure is evenly dispersed throughout the jaw.

All-on-8 Implant based Dentures

Procedure of All-on-4 Implant-Based Dentures

To move ahead with implant-based denture, the patient must be completely edentulous. If there are still some teeth left,  then the dentist first extract them.

• After healing, 2 tilted implants are fixed in the posterior (back jaw) region and 2 in the anterior (front jaw) implants.

Advantages of Fixed Dentures Abroad:

• There is no need to remove the denture
• High success rate
• The implant-based dentures provide optimal chewing forces
• Patient needs only 2-3 visit to the clinic which is too less as compared to removable dentures

Disadvantages of Fixed Dentures:

• Implant based dentures are expensive than the removable bridges
• It may have abrasive effects on the neighboring teeth

Implant-based vs Snap-on vs Removable Denture

Features	Implant-based	Snap-on	Fully Removable
Image
Cost	Expensive	Less Expensive	Least Expensive
Strength	Best	Moderate	Low
Retention	Excellent	Moderate	Low
Comfort	Excellent	Excellent	Uncomfortable
Detach	Only by the Dentist	Self: Anytime	Self: Anytime
Procedure	Invasive surgery	Less-invasive surgery	No surgery
Procedure time	1 day to 8 months (varies with bone)	Possible within a week.	6-7 sittings in 20 day's time.
Resorbed ridge	Advised	Advised	Not Advised
Examples	All on 4 ( one day) All on 6 All on 8	2- Implant 3- Implant 4- Implant	Immediate/ healing Acrylic teeth Porcelain Teeth

Destinations

Medical Toursim Corporation offers fixed dentures in locations like India, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Thailand, El Salvador & Vietnam.

References