Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat are the types of dental prostheses?What determines the cost of a dental prosthesis?FAQRead nextDental prostheses: types and what determines the cost
Quick summary of this article+
A dental prosthesis replaces one or more teeth. The main types are crown, fixed bridge, removable partial denture, complete denture, implant crown or bridge, overdenture and fixed full-arch implant denture. They differ in what they rest on (tooth, gums or implant), in being fixed or removable and in material (porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, zirconia, acrylic resin). The cost depends on the type, number of teeth replaced, material, support, treatments needed first, exams, the temporary phase and upkeep, and is only presented after the assessment, with the plan. Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients in Mooca, São Paulo, Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
A dental prosthesis is any piece made to replace a tooth, part of a tooth or several missing teeth. The main types are the crown, the fixed bridge, the removable partial denture, the complete denture, the implant crown and full-arch prostheses supported by implants, such as the fixed full-arch denture (called 'protocolo' in Brazil) and the overdenture. The cost of each depends on how many teeth it replaces, the material, what it rests on and what needs to be done first.
In clinical practice, many patients arrive asking for 'a prosthesis' without knowing that the word covers very different treatments. A crown on a single tooth and a full arch fixed on implants belong to the same family, but they involve steps, time and materials that can't be compared. So before thinking about cost, it helps to understand each option and who it is usually recommended for.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), who provides crowns, bridges and dentures in Mooca, explains the types of prostheses, the most common materials and the factors that make one plan different from another. You won't find prices here: Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow prices to be advertised, and any number before an exam would be a guess.
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 are the types of dental prostheses?
Dental prostheses fall into two groups: fixed ones, which only the dentist can place and remove, and removable ones, which the patient takes out to clean. Within each group, the difference is what the prosthesis rests on: the tooth itself, the neighboring teeth, the gums or implants.
A crown is a prosthesis for a single tooth. It covers a tooth that has lost a lot of structure from extensive decay, a fracture or after a root canal. A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using the neighboring teeth as anchors: those teeth are shaped to receive crowns, and the missing tooth is suspended between them. A bridge works well in many cases, but it needs healthy anchor teeth and means reshaping teeth that are sometimes intact.
A removable partial denture replaces some teeth and attaches to the remaining teeth with clasps or precision attachments, also resting on the gums. It usually has a thin metal framework, with teeth and gums in acrylic resin. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in an arch and is held by how well it fits the gums and bone; in the upper arch, suction helps retention, while in the lower arch stability is usually harder to achieve.
Implant-supported prostheses use implants as artificial roots. It can be an implant crown for one tooth, a bridge on two or more implants or a prosthesis for the whole arch. In that last case there are two paths: the fixed full-arch denture, screwed onto several implants and not removed by the patient; and the overdenture, a removable denture that snaps onto implants, gaining stability while remaining removable.
Materials vary too. Crowns and bridges can be porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic (such as lithium disilicate) or zirconia. Removable dentures and many full-arch prostheses use acrylic resin, with or without an internal metal bar; there are also full-arch prostheses in zirconia or ceramic over a framework. The choice considers bite force, the area of the mouth, the desired look and how easy the piece is to repair. No single material suits every case.
| Type of prosthesis | What it rests on | Fixed or removable | What weighs most on the plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown | The tooth itself (or a post and core, if the tooth had a root canal) | Fixed | Condition of the root, need for root canal or post, crown material |
| Fixed bridge | Neighboring teeth, which become anchors | Fixed | Number of teeth in the bridge, health of the anchors, material |
| Removable partial denture | Remaining teeth (clasps or attachments) and gums | Removable | Number of teeth replaced, type of framework, preparing the support teeth |
| Complete denture | Gums and bone of the arch | Removable | Fit, bone condition, adjustments and relines |
| Implant crown or bridge | One or more implants | Fixed | Number of implants, bone graft, components, material |
| Overdenture | Implants with attachments, plus the gums | Removable | Number of implants, type of attachment, attachment maintenance |
| Fixed full-arch denture | Several implants, screwed in | Fixed (only the dentist removes it) | Number of implants, bone graft, material, immediate loading, temporary prosthesis |
What determines the cost of a dental prosthesis?
The cost of a dental prosthesis is mainly determined by the type of prosthesis, the number of teeth it replaces, the material, what it rests on (tooth, gums or implant) and the treatments that need to come first. That is why two quotes for 'a prosthesis' can describe completely different work.
Support weighs a lot. An implant prosthesis involves surgery, the implants themselves, the components that connect implant and prosthesis and, in some cases, a bone graft. A removable denture resting on the gums doesn't have those steps, but it may need more adjustments and relines over time. A bridge depends on the condition of the anchor teeth, which sometimes need a root canal or a filling first.
Preparing the mouth is also part of the total. Cavities, inflamed gums, tartar, roots that need to be removed and infected teeth are treated before the prosthesis, because a piece placed on an unhealthy base tends to fail. These items usually appear as separate steps in the treatment plan, and the assessment shows which ones your case needs.
Exams and planning are part of the work: X-rays, a CT scan when implants are involved, impressions or digital scanning, bite records and choosing shade and shape. Many prostheses also need a temporary phase, which protects the area and lets the dentist test appearance and bite before the final piece. Add to that the number of visits, the dental lab's work and upkeep over the years.
That's why the cost is only presented after the assessment, together with the plan. At the office, the assessment takes about 30 minutes and is used to examine teeth, gums and bite and, if needed, request imaging. When comparing proposals, look at what is included (temporary prosthesis, exams, components, adjustments) and ask how maintenance will work, instead of comparing only the final number.
Which type of dental prosthesis is recommended?
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There isn't one type that suits everyone. The recommendation depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of the remaining teeth, the amount of bone, your general health and whether you prefer something fixed or removable. A clinical assessment, with imaging when needed, defines the options available for your case.
What is the difference between a fixed and a removable prosthesis?
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A fixed prosthesis is attached to teeth or implants and only the dentist can remove it; you brush it like natural teeth. A removable one is taken out by the patient for cleaning and, as instructed, at night. Fixed options usually feel more like natural teeth; removable ones involve less intervention but require adaptation and periodic adjustments.
Are a dental prosthesis and an implant the same thing?
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No. An implant is a post, usually titanium, placed in the bone to work as a root. The prosthesis is the visible part, the tooth itself. An implant always carries a prosthesis, but there are prostheses that don't use implants, such as a fixed bridge on teeth, a removable partial denture and a conventional denture.
How much does a dental prosthesis cost?
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Prices can't be given here, because Brazil's Dental Code of Ethics doesn't allow them to be advertised and each case needs a different plan. The cost depends on the type of prosthesis, the number of teeth replaced, the material, whether it rests on teeth, gums or implants and the treatments needed first. The cost is presented after the assessment.
What are dental prostheses made of?
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It depends on the type. Crowns and bridges can be porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic or zirconia. Dentures and removable partials use acrylic resin, often with a metal framework. Full-arch implant dentures can be acrylic over a metal bar or zirconia. The choice considers bite force, appearance, the area of the mouth and how easy it is to repair.
How long does a dental prosthesis last?
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There's no fixed timeline. Durability depends on the material, hygiene, bite, teeth grinding and maintenance visits. Removable dentures usually need relining or replacement over the years, because gums and bone change. Crowns and fixed prostheses may also need repair or replacement over time.
Do I need to treat other teeth before getting a prosthesis?
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Often, yes. Cavities, inflamed gums, tartar, compromised roots and infections are treated first, because a prosthesis placed on an unhealthy base tends to fail. This doesn't rule out treatment: it is the first stage of it. The assessment shows which prior care your case needs.
Where can I get a dental prosthesis in Mooca?
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Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, in Mooca, near Bresser-Mooca station (Metro Line 3-Red), Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Care is private, without dental insurance plans. In the assessment, which takes about 30 minutes, she examines your case and presents the prosthesis options and treatment plan.
