What is a hybrid prosthesis on dental implants?
The hybrid prosthesis is the one used to rehabilitate a case of dental implants where the patient's complete arch is being restored, that is to say that there are no teeth present and a highly esthetic, comfortable, functional and durable solution is desired. It is one of the fixed prosthetic treatments that we perform the most in the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos.
It consists of a fixed prosthesis that is screwed to the dental implants. These dental implants perform the function of the roots of the teeth which means that it is a fixed treatment that can not be removed by the patient unlike conventional removable prostheses, providing much more comfort, stability, confidence, fit, aesthetics and stable function for the patient allowing him to develop his diet and life in complete normality. These fixed prostheses on implants are the ones used to rehabilitate ALL ON X cases.
The number of dental implants to be placed in the maxilla to restore all the teeth of the maxilla will depend on the individual, systemic and bone conditions of each patient. Usually there are between 4 to 6 dental implants per jaw and on these, once healed and osseointegrated, the definitive rehabilitation with the hybrid prosthesis is carried out. During the healing period the patient will have a fixed and screwed prosthesis, but made of a provisional material that allows the normal and adequate development of the healing process.
They are called hybrid prostheses on dental implants since they combine different characteristics and materials to achieve better results. They can be formed by a metal frame or bar, usually made of titanium, which is placed over the dental implants and serves as a base to hold the artificial teeth that can be made of porcelain, composite, zirconium, among others. This type of prosthesis does not have a palate and is more comfortable and esthetic.
The indication for ALL ON X treatment and subsequent rehabilitation with fixed hybrid prostheses involves several stages:
Initial assessment, planning and diagnosis:
A clinical and radiographic evaluation with a 3D tomography should be performed in order to evaluate the patient's oral condition, in case there are still teeth that require extraction, it should be evaluated if there are active infections, the quality and quantity of alveolar bone, as well as the general and systemic health status. Once all these factors have been evaluated, the different stages of the treatment are programmed and explained.
Placement of dental implants:
Under the indications of the dentist, the teeth are extracted and dental implants are placed in the same procedure. This will require a period of rest for the patient and a treatment with analgesics, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Usually that same day, once the procedure is finished, a provisional screwed fixed prosthesis is placed to the dental implants, which will remain in the patient's mouth for the indicated healing time, ranging from 3 to 8 months depending on the case, while the osseointegration of the dental implants to the bone is generated.
Definitive impression taking and bite registration:
Once the healing time of the dental implants has passed and they are adequately osseointegrated, impressions of the patient's mouth are taken, which can be made using impression materials or digital impressions using an intraoral scanner. The function of these impressions is to capture precisely the location of the dental implants and the shape of the supporting structures such as the gingiva necessary to make the hybrid prosthesis with adequate functional and esthetic characteristics.
A bite registration should also be performed, that is to say, the relationship between the upper and lower jaw to ensure that the definitive teeth to be made are aligned and fit together properly.
Fabrication of the hybrid prosthesis:
The impressions and bite registrations taken are sent to a dental laboratory which is in charge of the confection. According to the dentist's indications, the first step is the digital design of the titanium bar or the complete zirconium structure or the indicated material, then the structure is milled and finished to be sent back to the dentist.
Adjustments and tests:
The hybrid prosthesis is tested in the patient's mouth, contacts, fit, comfort, function and esthetics are verified. If necessary, the appropriate adjustments are made.
Definitive placement:
Once all the adjustments are made and both the patient and the dentist are satisfied with the esthetic and functional results, the hybrid prosthesis is screwed definitively on the dental implants. Care and maintenance instructions are provided.
Oral hygiene and maintenance appointments:
Despite being fixed, these hybrid prostheses require certain care that includes brushing, use of super floss to keep the union of the dental implants with the prosthesis as clean as possible and in many cases the use of auxiliary means such as waterpik is also indicated.
Control and follow-up appointments are scheduled with the dentist every 4, 6 or 12 months depending on the case, where the health status of the surrounding tissues is verified, control x-rays are taken to verify the condition of the dental implants, and the hybrid prosthesis is cleaned by unscrewing it, verifying its condition and re-screwing it.
The fabrication of hybrid prostheses for the rehabilitation of a complete jaw by means of dental implants with the ALL ON X technique involves careful planning and multiple advanced techniques for their proper fabrication and placement, allowing the patient to regain the desired security, function, confidence and esthetics.
If you wish to restore your missing teeth by means of fixed prosthetic treatments of hybrid prosthesis with dental implants, you can request your evaluation appointment at the dental clinic Sonrisa para Todos by calling 4010-3333 or writing to WhatsApp 7031-7979. It is a pleasure for us to serve you.
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