Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat types of fixed dental prosthesis are there?What affects the cost, and how long does a fixed prosthesis last?FAQRead nextFixed dental prosthesis: types, what affects the cost and how long it lasts
Quick summary of this article+
A fixed dental prosthesis is cemented on teeth or screwed onto implants and is not removed by the patient. Types include crowns, bridges, implant prostheses and full-arch fixed dentures. Cost depends on type, number of units, material, implants, grafts, temporaries and lab work. Lifespan depends on planning, gum health, bite and care, with regular checkups.
A fixed dental prosthesis stays in the mouth and is not removed by the patient: it is cemented on prepared teeth or screwed onto implants. The most common types are the single crown, the fixed bridge, implant-supported crowns and bridges, and the full-arch fixed denture on implants, known in Brazil as protocolo.
In clinical practice, many patients who have worn removable dentures for years ask whether a fixed option is possible, or are confused by very different quotes. Those differences exist because a fixed prosthesis is not a single product: material, number of units, implants, grafts and temporaries completely change the treatment.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist with postgraduate training in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry who sees patients in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, explains the types, materials, cost factors, lifespan and care. In line with Brazilian dental advertising rules, prices are not listed.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What types of fixed dental prosthesis are there?
Fixed options include a crown on a natural tooth, a tooth-supported bridge, an implant crown, an implant bridge and a full-arch fixed denture on implants. All stay in place, offering more stability and comfort than removables, and each suits a specific situation.
A crown protects a badly damaged, root-canal-treated or heavily restored tooth. A bridge replaces missing teeth using neighbors as abutments, which makes most sense when they already need crowns. Implant prostheses replace the root with a titanium post and can restore one tooth, several teeth or a whole arch, typically on four to six implants.
Common materials are porcelain fused to metal, all-ceramic such as lithium disilicate and zirconia, monolithic or layered. Full-arch prostheses may use a metal framework with acrylic teeth or zirconia. A temporary usually comes first to protect teeth or implants and to test shape and bite.
What affects the cost, and how long does a fixed prosthesis last?
Cost depends on the type, number of units, material, implants and grafts, imaging, temporaries, lab work and follow-up, so quotes only make sense after assessment and planning; ask what each one includes. Well-planned, well-maintained crowns and bridges usually last many years, but not forever, and may need repairs or replacement over time.
Common causes of failure are decay at the crown margin, inflammation around teeth or implants, ceramic fractures, loose screws and overload from grinding. Careful brushing, floss threaders or interdental brushes, regular cleanings and a night guard when indicated reduce these risks. See the dentist if the prosthesis moves, there is a bad taste or smell, bleeding gums, pain when chewing or chipped porcelain.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano provides crowns, bridges, implant prostheses and full-arch fixed dentures, comparing options and explaining what is included, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
What is a fixed dental prosthesis?
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It is a prosthesis that stays in the mouth and is not removed by the patient, cemented on prepared teeth or screwed onto implants. The most common types are single crowns, fixed bridges, implant prostheses and full-arch fixed dentures. It offers more stability and comfort than removable options.
How much does a fixed prosthesis cost?
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It varies widely with type, number of units, material, implants and grafts, imaging, temporaries and lab work, so the quote comes after assessment and planning. Brazilian dental advertising rules advise against publishing prices without an assessment. At the consultation, the options are compared and the quote explains what is included in each one.
Fixed or removable prosthesis: which is better?
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Fixed options are usually more stable, comfortable and closer to natural teeth; removables are simpler and more affordable and may be temporary or used when fixed work is not possible. The choice depends on bone, remaining teeth, general health, expectations and budget.
How long does a fixed prosthesis last?
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Well-planned and well-maintained crowns and bridges usually last many years, but not forever. Lifespan depends on material, gum and abutment health, bite, grinding and hygiene. Regular checkups help catch problems early and extend the prosthesis's life. At the consultation, the options are compared and the quote explains what is included in each one.
Porcelain or zirconia for a fixed prosthesis?
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All-ceramic porcelain looks very natural and is mainly used on front teeth; zirconia is stronger and common on back teeth, bridges and in people who grind, and it can be layered with ceramic for better aesthetics. The choice depends on location, bite force and desired appearance.
Can I switch from a removable denture to a fixed one?
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Often, yes. Depending on remaining teeth and bone, fixed bridges or implant prostheses may be possible, including full-arch options for people with no teeth. Imaging shows the options and whether grafting is needed first. At the consultation, the options are compared and the quote explains what is included in each one.
Where can I get a fixed dental prosthesis in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. She provides crowns, bridges, implant prostheses and full-arch fixed dentures with detailed planning and quotes.
