Types of Prosthesis

Types of Retention

Adhesive retained prosthesis

Medical grade adhesive is placed on prosthesis every day and glued into place.  At night the adhesive must be removed from prosthesis.   The adhesive can be very strong and patients can typically wear their prosthesis all day without having any problems but every patient is different.  Really oily skin can loosen the bond of the adhesive to skin; lots of sweating can do the same.  It is not recommended to swim in an adhesive retained prosthesis as moisture will loosen the prosthesis from the skin and the potential to lose the prosthesis increases. 

Implant retained prosthesis

Titanium implants are surgically placed into the patient’s bone.  A process called osseointegration happens where the implants and bone bond and become a permanent and stable fixture for retention.   Implants do require surgery and a healing time of three to six months before the prosthesis fabrication process can begin.  The anaplastologist will make a surgical guide for the surgeon placing the implants.  The patient will need to see the anaplastologist one to two times before surgery for fabrication of the surgical guide.   Once the patient has an “OK” from their surgeon the anaplastologist will remove the healing abutments and place the real permanent abutments.  The abutments need to be cleaned around every day to for good hygiene.  The prosthesis is retained using magnets or a bar and clip method.  Magnets allow for easier placement of prosthesis, improved retention, thinner edges and decreased wear and tear.

For more information on the implants visit:  http://vistafix.cochlear.com/