Prosthodontists

Prosthodontics is the recognized dental specialty focusing on tooth replacement and repair, cosmetic dentistry, and oral and facial surgery. This means prosthodontists are the experts in diagnosing and treating a range of common issues affecting oral function and facial appearance.

Procedures at Plymouth prosthodontist Metropolitan Prosthodontics, for example, include:

  • Dentures, dental bridges and dental implants to treat tooth loss.
  • Dental crowns to treat damaged teeth.
  • Aesthetic procedures to treat cosmetic dental imperfections and restore smiles.
  • Maxillofacial surgery to treat structural problems in the jaw, face or mouth.

Prosthodontic Treatments for Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is a common problem in the U.S., with half the population missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). And 40 million Americans have lost all their teeth.

Our Plymouth prosthodontists replace missing teeth with dental prostheses including:

  • Dental implants.
  • Dentures.
  • Dental bridges.

Implants to Treat Tooth Loss

Dental implants are the state-of-the-art solution to tooth loss, with key advantages over conventional dentures and bridges. Implants work, look and function like natural teeth and provide a permanent solution to restore oral health and functionality.

A dental implant is a titanium screw that’s surgically inserted into the socket of a missing tooth. It forms an artificial tooth root as it fuses with jaw bone. This stimulates bone growth to preserve facial structure and appearance – something regular dentures and bridges can’t do. To replace a single tooth, a dental crown is attached to an abutment on the implant. If several teeth or all the teeth are missing, implants can be used to secure dentures or bridges.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 dental implants were introduced in the late 1990s. While eight or more standard implants are needed to replace all the upper or lower teeth, All-on-4 implants typically do the job with just four, as the name suggests. Traditional dental implant treatment takes several months. All-on-4 implants can give you a complete set of replacement teeth in a single appointment, with a temporary full-arch fixed implant bridge.

Dentures to Treat Tooth Loss

Removable dentures are a reliable solution to restore oral functionality after tooth loss. Advances in technology have made today’s dentures far more comfortable and natural looking. Dentures replace all the teeth or several teeth. A full denture replaces all the upper or lower teeth, and a partial denture is used when some teeth are remaining. Immediate dentures are placed as a temporary measure the same day teeth are extracted. Conventional dentures are placed when the healing process after extraction is completed. As we’ve seen, dentures can also be supported by dental implants.

Implant-Supported Overdentures

While standard dentures are secured by natural suction, possibly with the help of denture adhesive, dental implants provide an alternative means of support. Implant-supported overdentures provide greater stability and avoid the problem of jawbone loss associated with regular dentures.

Denture Fabrication at Your Plymouth Prosthodontist

Dentures are custom made from a mold of your mouth. Most dental offices send the mold to an external denture lab to have dentures made. Plymouth prosthodontist Metropolitan Prosthodontics has its own, in-house denture lab, which streamlines the custom denture fabrication process.

Dental Bridges to Treat Tooth Loss

A dental bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth or if you’ve lost a section of teeth. Unlike partial dentures, bridges are fixed in place permanently. This avoids having to constantly remove your artificial teeth for cleaning and soaking and when you brush your teeth. If you’ve lost a single tooth or two teeth, a bridge can be supported on dental crowns placed on remaining teeth either side of the gap. If you’ve lost three or four consecutive teeth in a row, the bridge can be secured on dental implants. With a conventional bridge, teeth either side of the gap have to be modified to allow for crown placement. Implant bridges require no removal of healthy tooth structure and provide more stability.

Dental Crowns to Repair Teeth

Plymouth prosthodontists use porcelain dental crowns to treat teeth when decay or other damage is too extensive for a filling. Crowns – also known as tooth caps – cover the whole surface of a tooth to strengthen function and enhance appearance. In repairing a damaged tooth, crowns prevent infection from penetrating into the tooth nerve, and strengthen remaining healthy tooth structure. A crown is as strong as a natural tooth and can last up to 15 years.

Crowns provide a versatile restorative dental treatment. Besides repairing large cavities or a tooth that has been physically damaged, crowns can restore worn-down teeth and provide additional protection for a tooth after root canal treatment. Crowns can also be used in conjunction with other procedures such as dental implants and bridges to replace missing teeth.

Cosmetic Treatments in Prosthodontics

Cosmetic dentistry at your Plymouth prosthodontist includes:

  • Teeth whitening, with take-home whitening trays that produce fast results with teeth several shades brighter.
  • Porcelain dental veneers to transform unsightly teeth into a Hollywood smile.
  • Tooth bonding – a faster, less costly alternative to veneers to enhance tooth shape, size and color.
  • White, composite fillings – a superior aesthetic alternative to silver, amalgam fillings in more visible areas of the mouth.

Cosmetic Benefits of Restorative Prosthodontics

While restorative prosthodontic treatments focus primarily on restoring oral functionality, many also go hand in hand with improved aesthetics. Dental implants, dentures and bridges, for example, eliminate unsightly gaps in smiles. And dental crowns improve shape, size and color of teeth as well as repair and strengthen them. Restorative prosthodontic dentistry might also be needed to treat a problem such as tooth decay ahead of a cosmetic procedure.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Treatments

Maxillofacial prosthodontics is a surgical specialty that replaces bone and soft tissues in the maxillofacial region – the part of the face from the upper jaw downward. This permanently eliminates pain and improves function and appearance by reconstructing these areas with procedures involving prostheses. Maxillofacial surgeons also treat facial bone fractures and tumors, cysts and other growths, and diagnose and resolve a wide range of dental concerns. They determine the cause of chronic dental pain, prepare the mouth for dental prostheses, place dental implants, and extract teeth that fail to emerge through the gum. Maxillofacial prosthodontists also treat jaw disorders and abnormalities such as congenital defects like a cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip/cleft palate is among the most common birth defects in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Why Choose a Prosthodontist?

Extensive, specialist training and expertise in advanced dental techniques and technologies enable prosthodontists to treat even the most complex oral health issues and restore optimal functionality. Prosthodontists also have in-depth insight into the dynamics of a smile, which means they’re highly qualified to perform cosmetic dental procedures to enhance appearance.

If you have concerns about missing, damaged or unsightly teeth, or have maxillofacial concerns, schedule a consultation with your Plymouth prosthodontist now.