If you have missing teeth, a dental prosthesis can be life-changing. Not only will it improve your appearance, but it will also prevent bone loss and gum disease.
To get a dental prosthesis, your dentist will examine your mouth and teeth. They will take dental X-rays and ask you to bite into a mold.
Dental Implants
Implants are titanium posts that serve as replacement tooth roots. They fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration and become anchors for dental prosthetics. Implants are commonly recommended for people who have lost one or more teeth and want a permanent solution. They are also used to treat failing or broken root systems, and to correct the sunken appearance that can result from bone loss.
An experienced dental professional will design a prosthesis for you that best meets your goals and lifestyle, taking into account medical and dental history, as well as the shape of your mouth and jaw. A treatment plan will be prepared and the cost for each stage of the process will be discussed.
The first step of an implant procedure is to place the titanium post, which can be either endosteal or subperiosteal. Endosteal implants pierce the front and/or sides of the cortical plate of the maxilla or mandible, while subperiosteal implants are placed beneath the gums.
Once the implant is in place, it is attached to a connector post called an abutment. A replacement tooth is then fabricated on this model using impressions of your natural teeth. The abutment and the replacement teeth are made of titanium, which is biocompatible, meaning it doesn’t corrode inside your mouth or react with bodily fluids.
Veneers
Veneers are a thin, strong cap that dentists can place on a person’s teeth. They are designed to improve a smile by changing the color or shape of a person’s existing teeth. The type of veneers that a person chooses to use will depend on their preferences and the results they are hoping to achieve. However, there are a few things that all people should know before getting veneers.
First, the dentist will prepare a person’s teeth for the veneers. This involves removing some of the tooth’s enamel. However, the dentist will not remove too much to avoid damaging a person’s natural teeth. They may also choose to apply dental sedation to make the process comfortable.
After prepping the teeth, the dentist will take an impression of them. They will use a special type of dental putty that is mixed and placed into upper and lower dental trays, which they then bite down on. The dental putty will harden after a short amount of time. Then the impression will be sent to a laboratory that makes the veneers for the dentist to bond onto a person’s teeth.
The recovery from having veneers put on is usually quite quick and relatively painless. A person can expect some sensitivity and soreness afterward, but these symptoms should fade over time. In addition, a person should practice good oral hygiene to help prolong the life of their veneers.
Partial Prostheses
A removable partial prosthesis replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of a mouthpiece with artificial replacement teeth on a resin base that blends in with the gums. It is also known as a denture. The removable partial prosthesis is an alternative to fixed prostheses and it helps restore function, beauty, and self-confidence to the patient’s smile.
Partial dentures are a great way to prevent the bone and remaining natural teeth from shrinking due to tooth loss. They are also a good option for patients who grind their teeth, which is called bruxism. This condition can damage the remaining teeth and lead to an imbalance in the bite and a change in the appearance of the jawline.
There are two types of partial prostheses: acrylic and skeletal. Acrylic prostheses are made of plastic and are less durable than skeletal ones, which have a metal part called a skeleton. Skeletal partial prostheses are more stable and rely less on the palate and sublingual area for support, which shortens their period of adaptation.
The most important thing to remember about dental prosthetics is that they should be cleaned regularly, just like natural teeth. They should be brushed daily with a special toothbrush and special cleaning solutions. It is important to clean the retaining screws and clasps, as well.
Total Plates
Dental prostheses are artificial devices that replace missing or diseased parts of the teeth and oral structures. They are designed to look natural, improve self-esteem and function, and protect against future health complications. They help maintain proper tooth alignment, distribute bite forces evenly, and prevent crooked teeth or gaps. Missing or damaged teeth can lead to various oral health issues, including distorted facial appearance, difficulty chewing and speaking, gum disease, and jaw joint problems. Fortunately, there are five common types of dental prosthetics proven to help patients regain a beautiful smile and healthy mouth.
Dentures are a type of fixed dental prosthesis used to restore an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. These prostheses can be made from a combination of acrylic resin or plastic, a base material, and metal supports.
A growing geriatric population is expected to boost the market for dental prostheses. The aging population is more susceptible to tooth loss than younger adults. Therefore, it is important to have a plan for replacing missing teeth in advance. For instance, a bridge prosthesis can be placed to fill in gaps created by missing teeth. These devices are connected to adjacent teeth, so they can support the weight of the full arch and reduce the chance of movement and deterioration over time. This is especially important for older individuals who have more than one missing tooth or those with severe dental disease.