Are your teeth broken? Are they missing? Let's learn everything about Prosthodontics!

Sometimes, due to an unexpected accident or a tooth decay that has been going on for a long time, one of our teeth can break or be lost. When that happens, it's hard to laugh out loud or eat delicious food, isn't it? This really has a big impact on your life. Maybe you too have a similar problem. Today, we are talking about a very important specialty in dentistry that replaces broken or lost teeth with new, beautiful, and strong teeth.

What is Prosthodontics simply?

This name may sound a bit strange, but its meaning is quite simple. The word Prosthodontics is a combination of the words "prostho" meaning "replacement" and "dentist" meaning "tooth". Simply put, Prosthodontics is the art of replacing damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth (dental prosthetics).

A dentist who specializes in this field is called a "Prosthodontist." He or she is specially trained to make dentures, crowns, and bridges. Not only that, but these specialists can also treat complex problems such as TMJ disorders.

What is the difference between a Prosthodontist and a regular dentist?

This is a question that many people have. "Isn't it okay to go to our dentist? Why do we need this special doctor?" You may be wondering. Let's clearly understand the difference between these two.

Who needs this treatment?

Okay, now you're probably wondering, "Do I need this treatment?" Let's take a look at some of the common reasons why you might want to see a prosthodontist. If you have any of these, talk to your dentist.

• If you are missing one or more teeth: When teeth are lost due to an accident or decay, it not only affects eating and speaking, but also the shape of your face.
• If the teeth are severely damaged: Teeth that are badly decayed, severely cracked, and cannot be repaired with a regular filling.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: This condition may be present if you experience pain, a "clicking" sound, or difficulty opening your mouth in the joint near your ear that is activated when you open and close your mouth.
• Pain in the mouth or face: Sometimes, facial muscles experience pain because the teeth are not aligned properly.
• Cosmetic concerns: If you are not satisfied with the shape, color, or position of your teeth, consider getting a smile makeover.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: This is not just snoring. It is a serious condition in which breathing stops for a moment during sleep. A prosthodontist can also make special oral appliances for this.

Are Prosthodontics and Orthodontics two different things?

Yes, this is where many people get confused. Although both of these fields belong to dentistry, they perform two completely different tasks.

What are the main treatments performed in Prosthodontics?

There are several types of treatments available in this field. You may have heard of some of these. Let's take a brief look at each one.

Dental Crowns

This is commonly referred to as "capping a tooth." Just like cementing a cracked wall to strengthen it, a crown is a custom-made cap that is placed over a tooth that has been badly decayed, broken, or has had a root canal to protect it. It restores the tooth's strength, shape, and appearance.

Dental Bridges

Imagine that you have a missing tooth between two of your teeth. That's when you lose one or more teeth in a row. This is exactly what happens when you have a ``bridge''. The two good teeth on either side of the gap are used as pillars, and the two teeth are connected to ``crowns'' placed on top of them, creating the missing tooth in the middle. This is a permanent fix.

Dentures

These are what we usually call "dentures." They are made so that they can be removed and put back in. There are two main types of dentures.

• Full dentures: These are used for people who are missing all of their teeth, either on the top or bottom of their mouth.
• Partial dentures: These are dentures that are made to fit the remaining teeth of a person who is missing teeth in some places.

Inlays and Onlays

This is a bit of a special treatment. Imagine that you have a tooth that has decayed, but the hole is too big to fill, but the tooth is not damaged enough to need a crown. That's when these ``(Inlays)`` and ``(Onlays)`` are used. Like a puzzle piece, they are made in a laboratory to fit the missing part of the tooth exactly, and that piece is attached to the tooth. This is much stronger than a regular filling.

Dental Implants

This is the best and most modern way to replace missing teeth today. Dental implants are small screws made of titanium that are attached to the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth.

1. First, the doctor will surgically attach this ``implant'' to your jawbone.

2. Then it takes several months for it to firmly attach to the jawbone.

3. Once it is properly fixed, a crown, bridge, or denture is made on top of it.

Although this method is a little more expensive than other methods, it provides a strong and permanent solution that is just like a natural tooth.

What are the benefits of these treatments?

The benefits of prosthodontic treatment are not one or two.

• You can eat well again: Once you have your missing teeth back, you can eat your favorite foods without fear.
• You can smile beautifully: You can regain the confidence you lost due to broken or missing teeth.
• Speech becomes clearer: When teeth are lost, it can be difficult to pronounce certain words. Replacing them with new teeth solves that problem.
• Maintains facial shape: When teeth are lost, cheeks droop and look old. When teeth are replaced, this disappears and the face looks better.
• The remaining teeth are protected: When one tooth is lost, the other teeth begin to move into the space. This stops when a new tooth is inserted.
• You can correct your bite: This will make eating easier and reduce jaw joint problems.

Are there any risks? Things we should be aware of

Most of the time, these treatments are not very risky. They are very safe. However, as with any medical treatment, there are some very small risks. For example, there is a very small chance of infection or nerve damage.

If you develop a fever after treatment, if there is pus coming from the treated area, or if you have severe pain or swelling that does not subside despite taking medication, you should inform your doctor immediately without delay.

How long does it take to heal?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the healing time depends on several factors, such as the type of treatment you had and the number of teeth treated.

For example, someone who has a single crown can go about their daily activities immediately. However, someone who has two crowns, one on top and one on the bottom, may have difficulty speaking and eating for the first few days, so they may need to rest for a few days. A surgical procedure like a dental implant can take several months to complete, as it requires multiple visits.

Therefore, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor before starting treatment and clearly understand how long it will take, how much it will cost, and what to do after treatment.