New trends in prosthetic dentistry.

Prosthetic dentistry is one of the fundamental pillars of dentistry. Even though it is highly specialized in replacement of missing teeth and adjacent soft and hard oral tissues, the cooperation with other branches of dentistry is very important. It usually provides final stages of rehabilitation of the whole maxillofacial system. The loss of several teeth doesn't have to be an immediate threat to the function of the whole dentition, but it can initiate serious problems related to the whole orofacial region, psychics and the wellbeing of the patient. From this point of view prosthetic dentistry is a valuable tool with high therapeutical and preventive character. Modern prosthetics offers classical solutions with simple fixed and removable dentures, and advanced solutions with dental implants support for rehabilitation of dental defects. Final quality and prognosis of prosthetic treatment depends both on materials and technologies used and on the patients' motivation and dental care. Superior esthetical demands and biocompatibility issues drive dental manufacturers to introduce new materials with defined properties. Nowadays the most sophisticated systems are based on ceramics, dental implants and CAD/CAM technologies.