Affordable Fixed Partial Dentures

For older patients, replacement of a missing anterior tooth with a semi-permanent composite resin restoration may be a low cost alternative to a conventional or resin bonded fixed partial denture. Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resin Fixed Partial Denture is an example of semi-permanent composite resin restoration. In Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resin Fixed Partial Denture, the resin is reinforced with carbon, graphite, glass, kevlar and other types of fibers.

Common techniques of fabrication of this type of FPD are:
1. Direct
2. Indirect

The direct technique comprises three clinical steps:
1. Basal part of pontic is built up with composite resin and polished.
2. The basal part of the pontic is bonded to the abutment teeth with the fibers and composite resin.
3. The pontic is again built up with composite resin and polished.

In Indirect technique, a framework is fabricated using glass or carbon fibers. This framework is used for the build up which is then bonded to the abutment teeth using composite resin. Advantages of this technique are:
1. Tooth replacement without preparation.
2. Clinical simplicity.
3. Reduced patient cost / Low cost.

Reference
Jorgensen E: Prosthodontics for the elderly, Quintessence Publishing Illinois 1999

Materials for Low Cost Dentures

There are materials for Denture construction which are low cost. Usually made in Pakistan and China, these denture materials are cheap but with acceptable quality. It will be a challenge for the dentists and dental laboratories to find them. Once they are found, there must be guidelines to be followed in the denture construction to have a quality denture. The principles: stability, retention and support must be observed.

Affordable Dentures Abroad

This where the medical and dental tourism comes in. Dental Tourism is no longer new. There's an increase of patients coming to other countries to avail affordable dentures and other dental treatment.

In choosing where to avail your low cost dentures and other dental treatment done, you must do research about dental practice in that country. Is the dental practice in that country at par with international standards? Do they follow strict Infection Control Program? There must be guidelines that are being observed by dental practitioners to ensure high standard of dental care.

Denture Service in Dental Schools

It is also a good idea for dentists to make referrals to dental schools. Those patients who really can not afford denture treatment can have their denture needs done in Dental Schools. Many dental students need patients for their clinical requirements. There's quality because while the dentures done are affordable (sometimes for free), dentistry students who makes them are under strict supervision of a Licensed Dentist, also known as clinical supervisor. They check the step by step prostho procedure done by Clinicians.

Patient Selection for Denture Service in Dental Missions

Most of the time, financial support is an issue with dental missions. In this aspect patient selection in denture service in a dental mission is an important factor.

Those patients who can still contribute or bring back to the society can be targeted initially. Those individuals who can still work and those who are breadwinner in family can be prioritized.