Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals primarily with replacement or restoration of lost or damaged teeth. Prosthodontists, therefore, are casually referred to as “smile architects”. These dentists are highly trained to ensure that everyone gets a good smile. They are trained not only in teeth, but also gums, facial features, and lips. While you may need a team of dentists with different skills to have that full smile makeover, the team, in most cases is led by a prosthodontist.
Unlike other dentists, prosthodontists receive three years of advanced training after graduating from dental school. The training program they engage in must be accredited by American Dental Association. The skills gained from school are combined with the years of clinical experience from residency to take care of simple or complex restoration or replacement procedures.
What Prosthodontists Do
The name prosthodontist comes from the terms prosthesis and odont. Prosthesis means addition or attachment while odont refers to teeth. Granted, most of the procedures carried out by these dentists involve replacing the naturall teeth partially or fully with substitutes that are biocompatible.
Some of the treatments to expect include:
- Restoring Damaged Teeth
There are different ways through which prosthodontists fix broken or damaged teeth including:- Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are wafer-thin shells made of ceramic or porcelain. These veneers cover the front part of teeth, changing your appearance. Veneers are bonded to the teeth occupying the space where a small enamel has been scrapped off to make them not appear bulky. Some veneers are long lasting and change the color, shape, and size of your teeth.
- Crowns: These are caps that cover the entire outer surface of a tooth above the gum. Crowns can be made of metal, porcelain, or all-ceramic. These crowns are cemented to a prepared tooth with roots. Crowns are normally used after a root canal or other procedures that result to damaged teeth.
- Tooth Replacement
- Dental Implants
If you lose your tooth or teeth, it becomes necessary to replace the root and the crown. Implants are considered the gold standard in modern teeth replacement. Implants are made of a root made of titanium that is screwed into the jaw. Once the titanium post has been screwed into the two, the implant is placed on it. This method can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth.
Implants are also used to support dentures and bridges. The procedure is simple. A prosthodontist takes impression of your teeth, design, and place the crowns on the titanium post. While implants are initially costly, they can last a lifetime, offering you value for money.
- Dental Implants
- Fixed Bridges
This is a method of tooth replacement that makes use of the existing teeth, also called abutment teeth on both sides of the tooth gap to support an artificial tooth. The prosthodontist will prepare a series of crowns designed as a single unit and then install it on the abutment teeth. Abutment teeth act like foundation, holding the crown for the missing tooth. However, bridges are temporary teeth-replacement structures that need care and utmost maintenance. When care is not taken, they can damage otherwise healthy teeth. - Dentures
These are available in different types. Some are full, some partial and others implant based. Dentures improve the appearance of someone who is missing lots of teeth, especially the front teeth. When fitted correctly into the mouth, they are great replacements. Some people, however, find them uncomfortable. - Cosmetic Dentistry
Prosthodontists are involved in the whole process of restoring smiles including designing 3D impressions, detailing each step in the process and doing the installation. Other services offered by these dentists include oral cancer screening, temporomandibular joint disorder - TMD, diagnosis, and obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. If you need the services of a prosthodontist, reach out to Dr. Arman Torbati at 310.553.3428 for consultations and appointment.