In addition to a high level of esthetics, a modern prosthetic restoration should also fulfil many other characteristics in terms of material requirements. Both dentist and patient expect the prosthetic restoration to be made from modern materials, and this without exception. Thanks to the scientific research and development work on dental materials, it has been possible to improve and optimize material concepts in the area of removable implant prosthetics. An example of this can be seen in prefabricated teeth for dentures – full dentures, partial dentures and / or dentures on implants – which are now made of high-performance acrylics. In the article, the authors describe the material requirements they expect from a prefabricated tooth and why they like to work with teeth made of a highly cross-linked DCL acrylic – a modified variant of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) – for removable dentures.

Master DT Patrick Zimmermann and DT Dominik Mäder

Is that really an acrylic tooth? Many modern, prefabricated teeth are made of high-performance materials, which not only have outstanding esthetic qualities but also provide sufficient long-term stability and abrasion resistance. The prosthetic tooth is still an integral part of our daily work; this hasn’t changed in recent decades. What has changed, however, are the patients’ demands and the prosthetic concepts.

Dental restorations on implants offer a comfortable solution for patients after tooth loss. We need to be aware that the consequences of losing teeth has multiple implications and can cause discomfort throughout the whole body. A modern, prosthetic concept can make a real difference in the long-term to those affected. In particular, implant-supported, removable prosthetic restorations – either full dentures or partial dentures, provide a completely new quality of life for many patients. New dental restorations require, amongst other things, high-quality teeth. For this reason, high demands are placed on prefabricated teeth for implant-supported dental restorations. Many of these demands can be fulfilled by the prosthetic tooth material.

Material requirements of the prefabricated tooth

Whether partial denture or full denture, the material requirements for a modern prosthetic tooth are high. In particular, implant-supported removable prosthetics require prefabricated teeth with increased abrasion resistance. In addition, the prosthetic restoration should be functional and at the same time esthetically pleasing. Therefore, in our laboratory, we prefer to use prefabricated teeth that from a material-related point of view provide longevity and have low abrasive properties with good visual characteristics and a natural shape.

For the benefit of our patients, we work with prefabricated teeth with the following properties:

One material that meets these requirements is the highly cross-linked DCL (Double Cross Linked) acrylic used by Ivoclar Vivadent for various prefabricated tooth lines. In order to understand why the DCL acrylic is ideal for implant prosthetics, it is important to have an insight into the science behind the material.

Material science info: Double Cross Linked

The DCL acrylic is a modified polymethyl methacrylate variant (PMMA), in which the polymer filler and matrix are evenly cross linked. The DCL material displays a higher compressive strength but a similar flexibility to that of conventional PMMA. This is due to the double cross linking (matrix, polymer filler), which has eliminated the classic weakness of conventional PMMA teeth, e.g. the exposure of non-cross-linked, soluble polymer beads during grinding. The intelligently designed material structure of DCL acrylic ensures good stability and high resistance against abrasion and wear. As a result, the longevity of the denture (e.g. implant-supported prosthetic restoration) is increased. In addition, the DCL acrylic is distinguished by a secure bond with the prosthetic base material and is less susceptible to discoloration. Whether partial denture or full denture, we consider prefabricated teeth made of this material to be ideal for the production of implant-supported, removable dentures.

Conclusion

As with fixed restorations, removable dentures (implant-supported) also require materials that offer the patient a high level of safety, stability and functionality for as long as possible. Hardly any patient will accept that the prosthetic teeth have to be replaced or renewed shortly after their new dentures were finished. Whether for the posterior or anterior tooth region – the properties of prefabricated teeth for the production of dentures (full dentures, partial dentures) are of great importance for the patient, for the dentist and therefore also for us. For this reason, we only use premium prefabricated teeth made from the high-performance material, the DCL (PMMA variant) from Ivoclar Vivadent, and have had excellent experience with this.

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