Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the design, manufacture, and fitting of artificial replacements such as crowns, bridges, veneers and prostheses
Prosthodontics is one of the branches of dentistry that deals with the replacement of missing teeth and the associated soft and hard tissues by using different types of prosthodontic restorations (crowns, bridges, dentures), which may be fixed or removable or may be supported and retained by implants.
Fixed prosthodontics is the branch of general prosthodontics that deals with restoration of teeth using crowns, bridges, onlays, inlays and veneers. All of the above mentioned restorations are made in dental laboratory on an impression of the mouth taken by the prosthodontist.The tooth/teeth are prepared (drilled) by the prosthodontist and an impression is made to capture this preparation which is then sent to the laboratory along with a detailed prescription. The dental technician then fabricates the desires restoration as per the prescription. Then the restoration is again sent in the office so it can be tested in the mouth. If any corrections need to be made, the prosthodontist can send them again in the lab. The finished product is then cemented in the mouth using various cements.
Dental crown or commonly referred as a ,,cap” and covers part of the complete tooth. Different materials can be used to make the crown depending on the requirements such as function/aesthetics, patient preference and the condition of the tooth. They can be made of metal-ceramics, titanium-ceramics, zirconium, lithium disilicate porcelain, composites etc.
Dental bridge is a dental restoration used to replace a ,,gap” due to missing tooth/teeth. The adjacent tooth/teeth are used to hand the bridge. Several designs and materials are used for bridge fabrication depending on the size of the gap, aesthetics and function.
Removable prosthodontics is concerned with prosthesis which replace the soft tissues and teeth and are more commonly referred to as dentures. These can be replacing all of the missing teeth (complete dentures) or may be replacing some of the teeth (partial dentures). They can be solely made of plastic (acrylic) or can be made of combination of metal and plastic.
DENTAL CROWNS
First appointment
Upon sitting at the dentist chair, your dentist will ask you questions about what you want to change, what bothers you and what you want to improve in your appearance, as well as what your budget is. Your answers are crucial in understanding and planning the procedure and about the materials that can and should be used. Upon discussing the above mentioned details, your dentist will perform a professional dental cleaning to prepare the gums for the prosthodontic treatment. Sometimes the dentist will even do a root canal treatment, if it is necessary to make sure that no problems emerge once the final crowns are ready. At the end of this appointment, you will schedule the next one where the actual procedure starts.
What to expect during the procedure?
After local anesthetics are being administered in situations where there are preparations of vital teeth, your dentist will shape the tooth in the right way so that the dental crown can fit in. Once the preparation is completed, an impression of the tooth will be taken so the dental technician can make the crown in the dental laboratory following the instructions of the dentist, who will provide the required information about the color and the shape of the crown to the dental lab. A temporary plastic crown will be made and placed in the same day.
What to expect after the procedure?
After preparing the tooth for crown, our dentist will make temporary crown for you so you can eat normally for the next several days, period that is required for designing and making the dental crown. You should be more careful while eating and biting with the temporary crown because it is made out of plastic material and could easily brake. No pain is expected during this period of time.
Last appointment
During this visit the permanent crown is placed in and checked if the shape and color meets the required criteria. If needed, small changes are made in-office before the dentist finalizes and cement the crown in place.
DENTAL BRIDGES
When more teeth need to be reconstructed with the help of prosthodontic solutions, dental bridges are made. The dental bridge is actually made out of multiple crowns, that are connected one to another so that a missing tooth can be replaced. It is actually made out of porcelain fused to metal, zirconia or e-max material that replaces one or more missing teeth and is held in place by the abutment teeth on either site of the gap. The whole procedure is identical to that of dental crowns.
PROSTHETICS OVER IMPLANTS
First appointment
After the implant/s is/are placed and 4-6 months are passed, time required for the implants to stabilize inside the bone, our dentist will start the procedure of placing a crown over the implant. On your first appointment a gumformer will be placed on top of the implant that you should wear for 2 weeks so the gum can properly form and be ready for the final impression.
Second appointment
At this appointment our dentist will take an impression over the implant and send it to the dental lab so the crown/bridge can be made in several days.
Final appointment
During this stage the permanent crown/bridge is done so the dentist can screw them over the implant and check the shape, color and interaction with the opposite and neighbor teeth. Small corrections are possible if needed.
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