Fixed prosthodontic treatments are used to restore lost or damaged teeth by permanently attaching a variety of prosthetic pieces into the mouth. These may include dental crowns, dental bridges, inlays, onlays, or veneers, and help restore both function and natural appearance for patients with missing or damaged teeth. Some fixed prosthodontics may be used as stand alone treatments, while others may be combined with other dental procedures such as implant prosthodontics or root canal treatment.
Dental crowns, also known commonly as teeth caps, are tooth shaped prosthetics that are attached over the remaining parts of a damaged tooth or to implant prosthodontics. While they are often combined with root canal treatment or dental implant procedure, a dental crown may also be used as a stand-alone treatment to cap the remaining structure of a damaged or misshapen tooth.
Read More There are several varieties of dental crowns made from a variety of materials including gold crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns, all porcelain crowns, lithium disilicate tooth crowns, and stainless steel crowns. Of these, porcelain crowns are the most popular as they have the appearance of a natural tooth and are created to match not only the size and shape but also the color of the surrounding natural teeth.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are prosthetic fixtures that are used to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. They are created by connecting two or more crowns together to “bridge” the gap and help prevent shifting of the remaining healthy teeth that often results from missing teeth. The bridge is permanently attached to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap which serve as anchors.
Read More A dental bridge may also be combined with dental implant procedure when a patient has at least three consecutive missing teeth. In this case, a dental implant is secured at both ends of the gap to serve as the anchors instead of the healthy teeth. This reduces the number of crowns required to bridge the gap and hence increases the strength of the dental bridge. It also means that the surrounding teeth do not need to be “prepped” to anchor the bridge, which normally involves filing down the natural healthy teeth.
Veneers
Dental veneers are primarily a cosmetic dentistry treatment involving wafer-thin prosthetics that are permanently attached to the front of teeth to cover up minor cosmetic problems or replace damaged enamel. For patients looking for a solution to cracked or chipped teeth, small gaps, tooth discoloration, minor misalignments, or worn enamel, dental veneers may be a suitable option.
Read More When considering veneers as a possible treatment, it’s important to note that the procedure is irreversible. While the veneers themselves last an average of around 10 years, the procedure requires the enamel to be shaved down in order to fit the veneer. This means that your veneers will most certainly need to be replaced, either with new veneers or with another type of restoration procedure, when the time comes.
Benefits of Fixed Prosthodontics
The greatest benefit of fixed prosthodontics is that they are permanent restorations, lasting 10-15 years and in some cases, even a lifetime with proper care. Since they are permanently attached to your mouth, taking good care of them is simple, generally only requiring standard oral health practices such as regular checkups and teeth cleaning, as well as twice-daily brushing and flossing. It is also a good idea to stay away from very hard or sticky foods for most fixed prosthodontic treatments.
While many fixed prosthodontic devices come in a variety of materials, the most popular porcelain variety has the benefit of the appearance of real teeth to provide a naturally beautiful smile for our patients!
Do I Need Fixed Prosthodontics?
Due to the range of fixed prosthodontic treatments, patients with a variety of dental conditions may be candidates for fixed prosthodontics. Whether you have minor cosmetic concerns such as discolored or chipped teeth, are suffering from damage due to tooth decay or gum disease, or have irreparably damaged or missing teeth, there may be a fixed prosthodontic treatment solution for you!