Prosthodontics: Helping You Get a Great Smile

Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that mainly treats patients with missing teeth using biocompatible substitutes such as dental implants. Other conditions commonly treated include temporomandibular joint disorder and oral and maxillofacial tissue deficiencies. Learn what you need to know about this specialty.

Placing a crown is one of the most common prosthodontic procedures performed. This involves covering a tooth with ceramic or porcelain material to restore its normal function and appearance. Crowns are often recommended for people who have had large fillings or have had a root canal, as well as teeth that have been fractured, or discolored. If you are missing one tooth or several, you may have been advised to have a bridge placed. This process actually involves three teeth, as the ones on either side of the missing tooth are crowned, and then a false one is attached to the crowned ones and cemented in place. If your mouth is full of gaps or chips, you may be a candidate for veneers, which are thin porcelain shells that are permanently bonded to the tooth's surface.

Dental implants are also gaining in popularity in the prosthodontics industry because of their durability, although this is a relatively expensive procedure as it involves surgery. Titanium fixtures are placed into the jawbone and, following a healing period of several months, the implant is eventually integrated into the bone. Many older patients who have lost most or all of their teeth over the years have been prescribed dentures in order to restore their oral function and appearance. However, as many patients have complained of difficulty wearing their dentures due to discomfort and decreased chewing ability, dental implants have become a popular option for them. In some cases, a removable partial denture may be all that is necessary to fill in any gaps. This typically involves a metal frame and plastic base, and this must be removed nightly for cleaning.

If you have been told by your family dentist that you grind your teeth while sleeping, you may be sent to see a prosthodontics specialist for further treatment. Although it sounds like an innocuous condition, grinding exerts a tremendous amount of force within your mouth as well as on the temporomandibular joint. A custom-made night guard will be provided for you to protect each tooth and relieve pressure on the joints of your jaw.

Temporomandibular joint syndrome is another common reason for seeing a prosthodontics specialist. This disorder is characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint as well as pain while chewing with clicking and limited movement of the lower jaw. You may have been diagnosed with a syndrome called sleep apnea, which is when you temporarily stop breathing while sleeping. In this case, your dental provider can outfit you with a medical night guard that will help reposition your lower jaw to improve airflow and reduce your breathing problems.

Since you only have one chance to make a good first impression, make sure your smile is the best it can be. You are advised to call a prosthodontics specialist in your area to see what they can do for you.