Dental prosthetics are beneficial to patients by improving their appearance and helping them eat well. They also fix misaligned teeth, which create mumbling or slurring of the speech.
Missing teeth contribute to the bone loss and increase the risk of gum disease. Therefore, it is recommended to see a dentist for proper treatment.
Bridges
A bridge is an oral prosthetic that replaces one or more missing teeth in a row. It consists of an artificial tooth (pontics) in the middle and crowns on either side that are fixed to natural teeth nearby, called abutments. The bridge’s pontics can be made of various materials, including porcelain fused to metal, which is strong and looks like natural tooth enamel.
A dental bridge can also be used to close the gap left by a tooth extraction. This helps prevent adjacent teeth from migrating into the space left by the missing tooth, which can disrupt mastication, phonation and create the potential for periodontal problems.
Despite the benefits of dental bridges, they can place considerable strain on healthy abutment teeth. This is why they are not expected to last a lifetime, and they must be replaced periodically. In addition, if the abutment teeth have large destructions or are loose, a different type of restoration may be better suited.
Another option is a partial denture, which can help fill the gap left by missing teeth or by other dental work. Like a bridge, this is an anchored appliance consisting of a set of false teeth attached to a base, which can be constructed of a variety of materials, including gold, resin and other non-precious metals. Removable partial dentures are more comfortable than fixed ones, but they can still cause difficulties if the mouth is not properly maintained.
Crowns
Dental crowns are used to restore decayed or injured teeth. They can also replace missing teeth. A crown is made from porcelain or gold and covers the damaged tooth. They are designed to look like your natural tooth, and they should be a close match to the color and appearance of the rest of your teeth. They are fixed prosthetic devices, meaning they can only be removed by a dentist. This is unlike removable dentures, which can be taken out daily.
A dental bridge is a dental prosthetic that consists of two crowns on either side of an artificial tooth or teeth (pontics) in between them. This device is often used in conjunction with dental implants, which provide the structural support needed to hold the bridge in place.
Dental prosthetics are fabricated using a wax model or impression of the patient’s bite. Then they are digitally designed using dental software. This technology reduces the time spent on a dental procedure and allows for more precise work. It also improves aesthetics by eliminating the need for an uncomfortable impression of the mouth.
There are two main types of dental prosthetics: crowns and dentures. Both can help replace missing or damaged teeth and provide a fuller smile. Dental crowns are usually fabricated from porcelain or gold, although new materials such as zirconia are becoming increasingly popular because they are very strong and offer an attractive tooth-like appearance.
Veneers
Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain or resin composite “shells” that your dentist cements unto the front surface of imperfect teeth. They mimic the color, texture and shape of natural enamel. They can correct a variety of aesthetic problems and camouflage minor orthodontic imperfections. Because they are a form of irreversible care you should have an informed risk-versus-benefit discussion with your clinician.
You should also expect some discomfort during the procedure. Your dentist will disinfect the affected teeth and remove a small amount of enamel to create space for the veneers. A local anaesthetic will numb the area to minimize pain. You may experience throbbing pain for about six hours after the anaesthetic wears off. This pain is sometimes eased with over-the-counter pain medications or by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
Your dentist will check the color, size and fit of the veneers during a second office visit. Once they’re ready, your dentist will cement them permanently to the affected teeth with a special type of dental cement. They’ll also evaluate your bite and make any final adjustments.
Implants
Implants are used to replace missing teeth and they act as the root of a tooth. This makes them very sturdy and durable. They are also known to stimulate bone growth and prevent future bone loss.
The process for getting implants involves a surgical procedure under local anesthesia to create a hole in your jawbone, then insert the implant and close your gums. The procedure is relatively quick and painless. There may be some swelling of the gums and face for a few days, but this is normal and can usually be managed with prescription pain medications.
After your surgery, there will be a period of time to allow the implant to heal and integrate into your jawbone (known as osseointegration). This typically takes four to six months. During this time, you can continue to eat and speak as you normally would with a temporary prosthesis.
Once the implant has healed, a second surgery is needed to attach an abutment. This can be done the same day as your implant surgery if your mouth is healthy enough, otherwise we will need to wait until you have fully healed.
A clasp prosthetic is a type of partial denture that is held in place by metal clasps that clip onto the remaining natural teeth. This is the least invasive type of partial, and it is very comfortable for everyday wear, although it can be somewhat more unstable than full dentures. It is important to brush and floss your teeth regularly with this type of prosthetic to ensure it stays in good condition.