Can fixed dentures be made without grinding teeth?
I'm missing a tooth, and I've heard that fixed dentures work well. However, I'm concerned about potential damage to adjacent teeth from grinding them down. I'd like to ask: is it absolutely necessary to grind down teeth when getting a fixed denture? Is it possible to avoid grinding them?
Doctor's answer (1)
Fixed dentures usually require grinding of teeth, but in some special cases, tooth grinding may not be necessary.
Fixed dentures are a common dental restoration method used to replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth onto adjacent natural teeth, restoring chewing function and aesthetics. When fabricating fixed dentures, the healthy teeth on either side typically need to be reduced to some extent to allow placement of crowns, which serve as supports for the prosthetic tooth or teeth in between.
However, if a patient has severely worn teeth or short crowns, the natural teeth might already have a shape suitable for directly serving as abutment teeth for the fixed denture, eliminating the need for additional tooth reduction. Additionally, adhesive-fixed dentures can be bonded to abutment teeth using special bonding agents. For cases with better abutment conditions and smaller defects, minimal or no tooth grinding may be possible, although appropriate selection should be made under a dentist's guidance.
In daily life, it is recommended to use a soft-bristled toothbrush in the morning and evening, employing the Bass brushing technique to remove food debris and plaque, which helps maintain dental health.
