Prosthodontics
Prosthodontic Dentistry or Prosthetic Dentistry treats missing teeth or treats existing teeth that have significant damage. Restorations are used to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure.
- Dental Implants
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Bridges
- Dentures
- Dental Fillings
Benefits of Prosthetics
The benefits of fixing missing teeth include:
- Prevents exisiting teeth from drifting into surrounding space of the missing teeth
- Teeth out of position can damage tissues in the mouth
- The difficulty of thorough cleaning between crooked teeth runs the risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease that can lead to the loss of additional teeth.
- Improves out your smile
- Helps to properly chew food
- May improve speech
- Prevent a sagging face by providing support for lips and cheeks
Types of Restorations
Dental Implants
Dental Implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants are actually a small post made of metal that are placed into the bone socket where teeth are missing. The implant is covered with a replacement tooth called a crown.
Dental Bridges
Bridges are false teeth that are designed to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Bridges can be anchored on either side by crowns and cemented permanently into place.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, appearance, to hold a bridge in place or cover a dental implant.
Dentures
Dentures are a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are made of acrylic resin or metal typed. Complete dentures replace all the teeth. Partial dentures replace missing teeth retained by metal clasps attached to natural teeth.
Dental Fillings
Fillings are the most common type of dental restoration. Teeth can be filled with gold, silver amalgam, or tooth-colored, plastic and glass materials called composite resin fillings.
