Prosthetic Dentistry
Prosthetic dentistry is the process of replacing or reconstructing failed or missing
teeth with natural appearing restorations. It can be achieved in a number of ways,
from creating partial plates, plates, or other removable dentures to
permanently attaching the replacement teeth to adjacent natural teeth
or to artificial "roots" implanted in the jaw. It is a specialty that
has seen dramatic advancement in recent years, and has now reached a
point where it is possible for a patient to have an entire set of
natural teeth replaced with implants. More commonly, patients will
elect to have one or more individual teeth implanted when replacement
becomes necessary for functional and cosmetic reasons and to preserve
the supporting gum and bone and maintain the positioning of their other
teeth.
Prosthetic dentistry is a discipline that requires that the dentist
understands a patient's whole mouth before recommending treatment.
There are four basic components:
The health of individual teeth.
Tooth structure can be destroyed by active decay. Decay is routinely removed in dentistry, but issues of strength and remaining healthy tooth structure to support critical gum and bone relationships often remain.
The health of the tissues that support the teeth.
Periodontal (around the tooth) health is the health of the gum and the bone around the teeth. Periodontal health has a great deal to do not only with the appearance of your teeth, but also with how long you can keep them. In addition, as we now know from a major thrust in medical research, periodontal health can be a key factor in maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system and such internal organs as the liver and kidneys. Periodontal inflammation can contribute to the onset of such disorders as diabetes. It has everything to do with how long you keep your teeth, the appearance of your teeth, and, as we now know, controlling systemic inflammation, a major thrust in all of medical research.
The health of the operating system.
An understanding of your temporal-mandibular joints (tmj) - the joints that connect the lower jaw to the rest of your head - their health, and how they and their associated muscles want to function versus the way that they have to function so your teeth will fit together. Discrepancies here, in conjunction with the intensity and degree of stress in your life can trigger destructive clenching and grinding habits. Even in the absence of these problems, comfortable joint and muscle function and distribution of forces on your teeth and implants is a critical factor in achieving whole-mouth health and comfort. Orthodontics is considered here as a possible adjunct to your prosthetic treatment.
The health of the patient's appearance.
In order to make your teeth beautiful and keep them that way, the health of individual teeth, their supporting tissues, and the skeletal operating system need to be considered. The size and shape of teeth have everything to do with beautiful, healthy gum tissue and a healthy bite relationship. A truly beautiful smile is natural and helps bring out your natural beauty.
The health of individual teeth.
Tooth structure can be destroyed by active decay. Decay is routinely removed in dentistry, but issues of strength and remaining healthy tooth structure to support critical gum and bone relationships often remain.
The health of the tissues that support the teeth.
Periodontal (around the tooth) health is the health of the gum and the bone around the teeth. Periodontal health has a great deal to do not only with the appearance of your teeth, but also with how long you can keep them. In addition, as we now know from a major thrust in medical research, periodontal health can be a key factor in maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system and such internal organs as the liver and kidneys. Periodontal inflammation can contribute to the onset of such disorders as diabetes. It has everything to do with how long you keep your teeth, the appearance of your teeth, and, as we now know, controlling systemic inflammation, a major thrust in all of medical research.
The health of the operating system.
An understanding of your temporal-mandibular joints (tmj) - the joints that connect the lower jaw to the rest of your head - their health, and how they and their associated muscles want to function versus the way that they have to function so your teeth will fit together. Discrepancies here, in conjunction with the intensity and degree of stress in your life can trigger destructive clenching and grinding habits. Even in the absence of these problems, comfortable joint and muscle function and distribution of forces on your teeth and implants is a critical factor in achieving whole-mouth health and comfort. Orthodontics is considered here as a possible adjunct to your prosthetic treatment.
The health of the patient's appearance.
In order to make your teeth beautiful and keep them that way, the health of individual teeth, their supporting tissues, and the skeletal operating system need to be considered. The size and shape of teeth have everything to do with beautiful, healthy gum tissue and a healthy bite relationship. A truly beautiful smile is natural and helps bring out your natural beauty.