Prosthetic dentistry

Prosthetic dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry that is for the restoration and replacement of teeth. This is most often done by a prosthetic dentist who can replace teeth through a variety of procedures.

Crowns - Typically porcelain crowns are put on teeth when a significant amount of wear and structural damage has occurred and when placing a filling would harm the tooth. Crowns act as a cap that go over the tooth and helps hold it together, preventing and delaying any further decaying. Usually real crowns have gold inside of them and are put on for cosmetic and practical purposes. Crowns are sturdy and strong and can stand up to over 150 pounds of pressure. There are now more advanced crowns that can be made that hold up to more pressure and are more natural looking. These new materials have more flex, better wear, more translucencies to match the actual color of your teeth and they bond better to either the tooth or the metal underneath the porcelain on the porcelain/metal crowns.

Bridges- Bridges are usually put in between teeth that are spread out because of a lost tooth in between them. The bridges are meant to hold up the teeth next to the gap where teeth are lost, to prevent these teeth from sliding into the place once occupied by the old tooth. When there is only one tooth that may fall into the gap, a cantilever bridge is performed, which is supported by only one tooth. There are a few different types of bridges including the Maryland Bridge, which can be placed conservatively in the areas that has low torque and two teeth that have never been touched. A conservative procedure is a procedure that can be done in the office without surgery.

Dentures- Dentures generally are a removable appliance that replace an entire row of teeth and are often used for elderly individuals. If there are a few teeth left, then it is referred to as a partial denture. These often have special clasps that hold them onto the teeth. Dentures need to be brushed just like natural teeth. Even though tartar damage cannot harm dentures, it can look unsightly and stained.

Implant: Implants are typically a titanium drill that is drilled into the jaw bone where the tooth is lost. Screws are often left in the jaw for up to six months so that the adjoining bones can fuse with one another. At this point, a metal top is placed on the screw post to create some type of hole that is made for the crown to emerge. After that has been in the tissue for a short while, then a crown can be placed over that post. Screws are either cemented in or placed permanently in the bone. Implants are great because they are a permanent solution to these problems and can be fairly conservative in nature, meaning they may not need a surgery.

Prosthetic dentistry is one of the most common cosmetic procedures and is performed on millions of people every year.