Prosthodontics Introductory Concepts

Dento-prosthetic vocabulary and definitions related to the introduction of prosthodontics and complete dentures.

Prosthetic

The art and science of supplying artificial replacements for missing parts of the human body.

COMPLETE DENTURE IS COMPOSED OF:

1. Basal surface (impression surface, tissue surface)

2. Denture occlusal surface

3. Denture polished surface

4. Denture flange

5. Denture border

Prosthodontics (Prosthetic dentistry)

The branch of dental art and science that deals with the replacement of missing teeth and oral tissues to restore and maintain oral form, function, appearance, and health.

Prosthesis

An artificial replacement of an absent part of the human body.

Dental prosthesis

An artificial replacement of one or more teeth (up to the entire dentition in the arch) and associated dental and/or alveolar structures.

Fixed prosthodontics

A specific branch of prosthodontics that deals with replacements that are not removable by the patient.

Removable prosthodontics

A branch of prosthodontics categorized into removable partial and removable complete dental replacements.

Maxillofacial prosthodontics

A specialized branch of prosthodontics mentioned alongside fixed and removable branches.

Removable partial prosthodontics

A sub-branch of removable prosthodontics that focuses on replacing some teeth in a partially dentate arch.

Removable complete prosthodontics

A sub-branch of removable prosthodontics that focuses on replacing all teeth in an edentate arch.

Removable dental prosthesis

Any dental prosthesis that replaces some or all teeth and can be removed from the mouth and replaced at will.

Removable partial dental prosthesis

A type of removable dental prosthesis that replaces some teeth in a partially dentate arch.

Removable complete dental prosthesis

A type of removable dental prosthesis that replaces all teeth in an edentate arch.

Complete denture

A removable dental prosthesis which replaces the entire dentition and associated structures of the maxilla and mandible.

Basal surface

The part of a denture that rests on the foundation tissues and to which the teeth are attached; also known as the impression or tissue surface.

Impression surface

An alternative term for the basal surface or tissue surface of a denture.

Tissue surface

An alternative term for the basal surface or impression surface of a denture.

Foundation tissues

The oral structures available to support a denture.

Denture occlusal surface

The portion of the surface of a denture that makes contact with its antagonist.

Antagonist

The opposing dental structure or denture that comes into contact with the denture occlusal surface.

Denture polished surface

The portion of a denture surface extending in an occlusal direction from the border, including the palatal surface and buccal/lingual surfaces of the teeth.

Denture border

The margin of the denture base at the junction of the polished surface and the basal surface.

Denture flange

The part of the denture base that extends from the cervical ends of the teeth to the denture border.

Cervical ends of the teeth

The specific point on the teeth from which the denture flange begins its extension to the border.

Palatal surface

The surface of the denture that corresponds to the roof of the mouth and is part of the polished surface.

Buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth

The outer and inner teeth surfaces that are included as part of the polished surface of the denture.

Edentate arch

An arch that is completely without teeth.

Partially dentate arch

An arch that is missing some but not all teeth.

Preservation of the remaining tissues in health state

The first listed objective of a complete denture to maintain the health of surviving oral structures.

Restoration of the function of mastication

The second listed objective of a complete denture to return chewing ability to the patient.

Restoration of the disturbed facial dimension and contour (esthetic)

The third listed objective of a complete denture to correct appearance changes.

Correction of speech due to the loss of natural teeth

The fourth listed objective of a complete denture to fix phonetics affected by tooth loss.

Satisfaction, pleasing and comfort of the patient

The fifth listed objective of a complete denture regarding the user's subjective experience.

Vascular prosthesis

A non-dental example of an artificial replacement of an absent part of the human body.

Alveolar structures

Supporting bone structures that are replaced by a dental prosthesis along with the teeth.

Margin of the denture base

The specific location defined as the junction of the polished surface and the basal surface.