Telescope prosthesis - Leading Implant Centers

Modern dentistry offers numerous possibilities to replace missing teeth even if bridges, crowns or implants are no longer possible due to insufficient bone mass or too many missing teeth. The telescopic prosthesis is one of these ways to replace missing teeth or to provide dental care for a toothless jaw. The telescopic prosthesis is a combination of fixed and removable dentures.

Overview of this article

What is a telescopic prosthesis?

Telescopic prosthesis offer themselves as dentures, if tooth gaps are to be closed and own teeth are still present in the mouth. With the help of a telescopic prosthesis, the dentist restores the function and aesthetics of the dentition. Basically, the telescopic prosthesis counts as combined dentures, since it is removable and is firmly anchored in the jaw part.

The telescopic prosthesis owes its name to its function. Similar to a telescope, the connecting elements of the telescopic prosthesis consist of two parts, which are pushed over each other. A fastener is firmly fixed on the teeth. This element is the so-called inner telescope or the primary crown. The primary crown is firmly cemented on the abutment tooth. The secondary crown or the external telescope slides over the primary crown when inserting the telescopic denture. Both elements are made to fit and due to the resulting friction, the prosthesis adheres securely and stably in the patient's jaw. Both fasteners together are called the telescopic crown. Telescopic crowns are suitable for the insertion of partial cast dentures as well as removable bridges.

How does the fitting and insertion of a telescopic prosthesis work?

In the first step, the dentist will have a conversation with you and explain all the advantages and disadvantages of the telescopic prosthesis. He will examine you, show you alternatives to the telescopic prosthesis and clarify the possible treatment steps to restore your dentition with you. Model casting prostheses or implants may be an alternative to the telescopic prosthesis, for example. For the preparation of a telescopic prosthesis several sessions are necessary.

Once you have decided on a telescopic prosthesis, the dentist will take an impression of your dentition. In the next step, the dentist prepares the abutment teeth. If he is satisfied, he will take another impression. Treatment is usually under local anesthesia. During the time that the telescopic prosthesis is made by the dental technicians, you will receive a provisional restoration from your dentist.

In the following steps, the denture is provided with secondary crowns and the telescopic prosthesis is adjusted so that it looks natural and fulfills its function during speech and chewing. The teeth of the telescopic prosthesis are matched in shape and color to the patient's jaw. After further testing of the denture this is finally completed and used by the dentist. Your dentist will discuss and practice with you the insertion and removal of the telescopic prosthesis.

In the last step, the checking of the denture takes place. The telescopic prosthesis must sit well and must not cause pressure points in the gums. After a few months of wearing a relining of the telescopic prosthesis may also be necessary.

For whom is a telescopic prosthesis suitable?

A fixed denture such as dental implants is not suitable for every patient. Nevertheless, many patients want the same high level of comfort and aesthetics as fixed dentures. If there are only a few teeth in the jaw and implants are not an option, often only removable dentures are possible.

Telescopic prostheses meet high standards of wearing comfort and aesthetics and can be possible even if only a few teeth are available. A condition for a combined dental prosthesis such as the telescopic prosthesis, however, is that there are still teeth and the dentist can use these as abutment teeth. In a toothless jaw, a telescopic prosthesis can not be anchored and is therefore not possible.

The dentist under certain conditions can supply implants and subsequent telescopic prosthesis (for example, sufficient density of the jaw bone). Usually, the dentist incorporates all the teeth or tooth stumps still present in the mouth into the telescopic prosthesis. A finished telescopic can be made as a full denture and include the entire upper or lower jaw. A partial denture is when only a part of the row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw is replaced by a prosthesis.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a telescopic prosthesis?

The telescopic prosthesis is considered one of the best ways to restore the aesthetics and function of the teeth in cases of severe tooth loss.

The following advantages speak for the use of telescopic prostheses

With telescopic crowns, a functionally perfect denture can be produced, even if only two or three teeth are available in the jaw
Good, stable fit of the dental prosthesis due to the friction between the inner and outer telescope and the double support with saddles and telescopic crowns
Telescopic prostheses are easy to clean
Telescopic prostheses can be extended as needed and adapted to the dentition
If more telescopic crowns are integrated, the durability and service life of the prostheses dentures will improve as the load spreads over several abutment teeth
Telescopic prostheses are versatile, they are suitable for the entire jaw and can be made both for the lower jaw as well as for the upper jaw
Telescopic dentures can combined with dental implants
The look is very natural, as it can be dispensed with webs and brackets
Telescopic prosthesis can be used palatal-free and thus produce a lower foreign body sensation and it affects the sense of taste and speaking less
Telescopic prosthesis fit exactly and safely without slipping when speaking or chewing
The remaining teeth in the jaw are evenly stressed and stabilized
The handling of the telescopic prosthesis is relatively simple, the patient can easily remove the prosthesis for cleaning
There is no need to remove the telescope prosthesis overnight
Additional adhesives are not necessary
Telescopic dentures are comparatively low cost and are often much cheaper than implants
The preparation of a tailor-made, well-fitting telescopic prosthesis is less tedious than the insertion of multiple implants in implantology

The disadvantages of telescopic dentures at a glance

The preparation of a telescopic denture can be time consuming
There are often several sessions and impressions necessary
Depending on the dentist and the laboratory, the preparation takes three to four weeks
For affixing the primary crowns (indoor telescopes) possibly healthy teeth may be grounded
In addition, there is a so-called unmasking effect: If the patient takes the telescope prosthesis out, the metallic primary crowns become visible

From which materials are telescopic prosthesis manufactured?

Usually, a telescopic prosthesis consists of several materials. The primary crown is often made of metal. Titanium is suitable, for example, for high-quality dentures. The prosthesis itself can be made of plastic or ceramic such as zircon. Zircon is especially suitable for the production of secondary crowns. Zirconium or zirconium oxide is regarded as a particularly powerful ceramic. Artificial dental crowns made of zirconium can be optimally adapted to natural teeth by dental technicians in terms of color and translucency. Thus zircon tooth crowns meet the highest aesthetic standards. At the same time, they are stable, resilient and offer a long service life.

How long does a telescopic prosthesis last?

The durability of a telescopic prosthesis depends on various factors such as the material, the care as well as the regular check-up by the dentist. If you follow certain rules in your oral hygiene and regularly check with your dentist, a telescopic denture can last for several decades. In the dental laboratory, the dental technicians can even make repairs and adjustments to changes in the jaw. These repairs compared to newly made dentures usually are quite low cost. With only a few remaining teeth, the telescopic prosthesis is a great way to meet functional and aesthetic demands.

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