restorative treatments for long term oral health and functionality
The field of maxillofacial and dental prosthodontics is vast and can include everything from the restoration and replacement of lost or damaged teeth to correcting and treating cleft palates, snoring disorders, sleep apnea and TMJ. Overall, prosthodontics treatments deal with the appearance and function of teeth and gums, while the treatment of conditions in the head and neck region fall in the care of a maxillofacial prosthodontist.
Some of the most common dental procedures performed by a prosthodontist are dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges, and dental implant procedure. Other prosthodontics treatments include bonding to close a gap between the teeth or reshape a tooth or prescribing bite guards or physical therapy regimens to deal with pressure and pain for TMJ patients. As a dentist with specialties in oral surgery, our dentist clinic has high levels of expertise for prosthodontic treatment and diagnoses.
Removable
Prosthodontics
Dentures are the most common removable prosthodontic treatment devices for patients with missing teeth. Patients may have lost a few or all of their teeth due to injury or decay and may require full or partial dentures to give them better chewing abilities and a more natural appearance.
Read More Whether full or partial, dentures* may be removable or fixed. A denture can clip onto the patient’s existing teeth or implants and is also held in place by the suctioning effect between a plastic resin base and the remaining alveolar ridge that it fits over. For upper teeth dentures, there is extra support from the roof of the mouth to help keep the denture in place. Permanent dentures require high standards of workmanship for optimal comfort and functionality and users can expect there to be an adjustment period to get used to the feeling of wearing removable dentures. For patients who have recently lost their teeth, temporary dentures may need to be worn in the transition process as muscular changes and gum shrinkage is normal immediately following tooth loss. Permanent dentures should be fitted once healing is complete to ensure that they conform to your mouth correctly for better function and comfort. Due to continued structural changes in our mouths over time, it may be necessary to have your dentures readjusted every now and then.
Key examples of fixed prosthodontic treatments include crowns, bridges, and veneers. These treatments may be prescribed for patients with missing or damaged teeth to provide improvements in function and appearance for ease of chewing and a brighter smile.
Read More A dental crown is a cap placed over an existing natural tooth or a dental implant that has the appearance and function of a natural tooth. They can help to strengthen and protect a weakened tooth or be fitted for aesthetic purposes and may be a final step after a root canal procedure or dental implant surgery. Dental crowns are also used when creating dental bridges for patients with one or more missing teeth. This process uses the healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth to support a series of linked dental crowns that are attached to the prepared healthy teeth. Dental bridges can restore a patient’s ability to chew and speak properly, maintain face shape, prevent shifting of remaining teeth, provide a more even bite, and restore a confident smile. Veneers are very thin shells made from ceramic material that can cover the front surfaces of a patient’s teeth. This is another form of cosmetic restoration that can treat severe tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, and wear and tear caused by years of use and teeth grinding.
Implant prosthodontic treatments concern the use of permanent dental implants. Dental implant procedure may be performed to replace missing teeth and can also be used as a base or support for other cosmetic or functional prosthodontic treatments such as dental crowns or partial dentures.
Read More From both a structural and oral health perspective, dental implants are the best option when it comes to the replacement of missing teeth. This is because it is the only solution that involves the placement of artificial roots that are implanted into the actual jawbone to prevent bone loss and damage to remaining teeth. While dental implant cost is higher than other teeth-replacement procedures, they can last a lifetime when accompanied by good oral hygiene habits, resulting in long-term savings. Dental implant surgery is a minor surgical procedure that takes place in multiple steps over a period of several months. For patients replacing an irreparably damaged tooth, the first step is the extraction of the tooth. Some patients also require grafting of the jawbone in preparation for the implant. Once prepared, the dental implant can be placed after which there is a 12 to 16 week waiting period while the implants fuse with the bone. Once fused, an abutment is created to support and hold the tooth or teeth, then the dental crown is attached.
When do I need prosthodontic treatment?
Due to the wide range of prosthodontic procedures available, there can be many scenarios that warrant a visit to your dentist for prosthodontic treatment. Common examples include: – irreparably damaged or missing teeth due to decay or trauma, badly worn teeth from grinding, chipped or misshapen teeth, discoloration, improper bites, cleft palates, and sleep apnea.