Important COVID-19 Updates

Hybrid Prostheses - Rosenthal Family Dentistry

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hybrid Prostheses

As the name indicates “hybrid” means the combination of two varieties of prostheses. On the one hand, it is a fixed prosthesis, since the patient cannot remove the prosthesis from the mouth, it is fixed, and constructed of two or more different materials. It is an option of implant rehabilitation treatment that allows the patient to have a fixed denture and recover their oral functionality. Hybrid prostheses consist of a metal structure that adheres to dental implants, coated with acrylic and that supports artificial fixed teeth of acrylic resin. It is necessary to place 5 or 6 implants osseointegrated by dental arch to perform the implant-supported hybrid prosthesis. 

The type of implants is chosen according to the characteristics of the patient and the work of the dentist, the resin is the color closest to the natural color of the patient’s gums, it is polished and bright so as not to cause discomfort to the patient. Finally, artificial teeth adhered to the resin part are accommodated with the color, size and inclination most appropriate to the orofacial characteristics of the patient. 

advantages and disadvantages of hybrid prostheses compressed

The hybrid prosthesis is a completely fixed prosthesis, which offers a very good aesthetic to the patient, gives moderate support to the upper lip and usually needs between 5 and 6 implants to rehabilitate the upper arch and 4 implants to rehabilitate the lower arch.  The implants are connected by a metal bar and on this bar the resin prosthesis melts, to anchor the prosthesis to the osseointegrated implants, some screws must be tightened. 

ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID PROSTHESES

One of the main advantages offered by hybrid prostheses is the comfort that the patient presents, the prosthesis is fixed and is screwed to the implants so that the patient feels with their own teeth. It is a prosthesis that offers a good aesthetic result, a good proprioception, because the impact of occlusal forces during the exercise of chewing is reduced. The acrylic resin part of the prosthesis acts as an intermediary between the teeth and the metal structure. 

Also, the hybrid prosthesis has a good ease of maintenance by the specialist dentist and versatility, because we can make repairs at any time of the acrylic resin and the teeth. Finally, another advantage offered by the hybrid prosthesis compared to porcelain crowns on metal is the economic difference, hybrid prostheses are much cheaper and any modification made is a much simpler, cheaper and faster process. These types of prostheses are screwed onto the implants and for the patient they are fixed, so that in case of any required modification, the specialist dentist can easily remove it from the patient’s mouth. 

DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID PROSTHESES

A possible disadvantage of hybrid prostheses is the aesthetic result. However, with the improvements of today’s acrylic materials, we can obtain very optimal aesthetic results and the patient is highly satisfied.

Share this post