Telescopic prosthesis

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A telescopic prosthesis is a special form of partial prosthesis. It consists of a removable and a fixed part. Read here how the telescopic prosthesis works, when it is used and what advantages it offers.

How does the telescopic prosthesis work?

The natural teeth serve as a holding device in the telescopic dental prosthesis. For this purpose, they are covered with so-called internal telescopes, which are firmly cemented onto the teeth (abutment teeth) as crowns. The external telescopes sit on the removable part of the telescopic prosthesis. When the patient inserts the removable part of the prosthesis, the outer and inner telescopes slide over each other like limbs on a telescope. Dentures based on this construction principle are optimally anchored in the dentition.

Advantages of the telescopic prosthesis

The telescopic prosthesis can be expanded as required to a full prosthesis if additional teeth are lost. This makes it easier for older people in particular, who generally find it difficult to adapt to the dental prosthesis, to get used to the foreign body in their mouth. Removing part of the prosthesis also makes cleaning easier. The telescopic prosthesis thus has a longer survival time than conventional dentures.

Thanks to the combined system of inner and outer crowns, the telescopic prosthesis also offers a firm hold when chewing and speaking, without the need for a too large and uncomfortable surface. In the upper jaw, the telescopic prosthesis can in some cases do without a palate plate altogether, which many patients find more pleasant.

Since the telescopic prosthesis does not require any visible anchoring aids such as wires or brackets, it is also an aesthetically pleasing form of denture.

Disadvantages of the telescopic prosthesis

The biggest disadvantage is probably the relatively high cost of a telescopic prosthesis. These result in particular from the fact that two crowns have to be made for each tooth. In addition, the production requires absolute precision work by the dental technician.

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