Prosthodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the design and implantation of tooth replacements for sick, missing, or damaged teeth. It is derived from the terms "prostho," which means replacement, and "dontist," which means teeth.
When a tooth is lost for any cause, the surrounding teeth begin to shift toward the void. As a result, cosmetic degeneration and changes in chewing forces arise from gingival issues in surrounding teeth and bone loss caused by the cavity's tilting. If the gap is not filled with an implant or dental bridge, the jawbone in the vicinity of the missing tooth will deteriorate over time. This can also lead to trouble with adjacent teeth.
Dental prosthetics have a wide spectrum of treatments in the field of dentistry. In the following cases, the patient must first see a dentist and then be directed to this branch.
A dental crown is a repair covering a severely damaged tooth. If the patient has considerable cavities, a broken tooth, or a recent root canal, she/he may require a crown.
Tiny screw posts are used to repair lost tooth roots. They are manufactured from titanium or ceramic of surgical quality. They are implanted into the patient's jawbone by the dentist. A prosthodontist can repair implants with crowns, bridges, or dentures once they have healed.
If a patient is lost most or all of her/his teeth, there are numerous implant-supported removable and nonremovable alternatives available. Consultation with a dentist or prosthodontist is the best approach to determining the suitable treatment.
A dental bridge replaces one or more consecutively lost teeth. This dental prosthesis comprises of two crowns on either side, separated by artificial teeth. Once in position, the natural teeth serve as anchors for the crowns, while the pontics fill in the gaps in the grin.
There are two primary denture kinds. These are partial and full. Partial dentures are used to replace a few randomly lost teeth. Complete dentures replace an entire dental arch. These removable dental appliances restore the function and aesthetics of the smile.
When a tooth is too injured for a filling but not enough damaged for a crown, the patient may require an inlay or onlay. These unique restorations fit like small jigsaw pieces into the tooth structure.
Prosthodontic treatments can be a solution for patients in the following cases.
Recovery time is contingent on a variety of variables, including the nature of the surgery and the number of teeth requiring treatment. Generally, someone who receives a single crown may resume regular activities relatively quickly. Those who require complete dentures on both arches may require a few days off to allow for recuperation.
Depending on the type of treatment, full recovery might need many planned visits and several months. Dentist or prosthodontist says their patients to what kind of timeframe they will have about process.
The risks associated with undergoing prosthodontic operations are negligible. However, there is always a risk of infection or nerve injury with any dental operation. Contacting the dentist or prosthodontist immediately if there are any warning symptoms, such as fever or discharge around the treatment site.
Prosthodontics cost is almost the same as that of a regular dentist. The treatment fee, as in other dental operations, varies from patient to patient, depending on the experience of the dentist, the location of the clinic and the scope of the procedure.
Dentists are able to begin their careers immediately after getting their bachelor's degree in dentistry and graduating from a dental school. Prosthodontists are required to have at least three years of prior specialized training in this area, followed by the completion of a master's degree program in this particular specialization. This is the same way that a primary care physician and a cardiologist do their jobs.
