[The new magnets for dental prostheses]

With the introduction of metallic alloys based on rare earth, the dental prothesis disposes of new magnets as a method of denture retention whose retentive force is 20 to 50 time superior to the conventional magnets. There are two main types of magnets: the open field magnets as the Dyna and the closed field magnets as the Gillings and the Jackson. The latters have been devised to avoid propagation of the magnetic field in the living tissues, the harmlessness of this propagation being argued by the researchers. The magnets present several advantages tied to the conservation of the roots as the maintenance of the proprioception, the conservation of the socket bone, the strengthening of the remaining teeth and the psychological comfort for the patient, others tied to the technique itself as the simplicity of realization, the easiness of insertion and removal of the prothesis and the absence of wear. As far as terminology is concerned, we consider a magnet as a magnetic axial attachment.