New teeth to replace broken or missing teeth? Let's talk about Prosthodontics!

Are you embarrassed by a broken tooth that shows when you smile, or a tooth that hurts when you eat? Perhaps you have lost a tooth completely due to an accident. These things affect our appearance as well as our mental health. So today we are going to talk about a very important branch of dentistry that provides real solutions to such problems.

Simply put, what is Prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on replacing damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth (dental prosthetics) or tooth parts. Simply put, it's a technique that can restore your smile and make eating easier.

It's easier to understand if you look at how the name is derived. "Prostho" means "replacement." "Dontist" means "teeth." That is, the basic idea is to replace lost teeth with new teeth .

A dentist who has specialized knowledge and training in this area is called a Prosthodontist . They are specially trained to make crowns, bridges, and dentures, as well as to treat TMJ disorders.

Who needs this treatment?

There are several situations where your general dentist may refer you to a prosthodontist. For example, if you have a front tooth broken in an accident, or if you have lost several teeth due to age, this is when you may need the help of a prosthodontist.

Generally, Prosthodontics treatment is required in the following cases:

• If one or more teeth are missing: due to an accident, decay, or other reason.
• If the teeth are severely damaged: severely chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth.
• If you have pain or problems with the function of your jaw joint (TMJ disorder): If you have a clicking sound or pain in your jaw joint when you open or close your mouth.
• If there is pain in the mouth or face.
• Appearance issues: If you are not satisfied with the shape, color, or position of your teeth.
• These people also help make special face masks for some sleep-related problems (obstructive sleep apnea) .

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

This is a question that many people have. Let's clearly understand the difference between these two. For this, see the table below.

Usually, if the dentist thinks your problem is complex, he or she will refer you to a Prosthodontist.

So, are Orthodontics and Prosthodontics, which adjust teeth, two different things?

Yes, these are two completely different fields.

• Orthodontics: This involves adjusting the alignment of teeth . This means using things like braces and retainers to straighten teeth and create a beautiful smile.
• Prosthodontics: This involves replacing missing or damaged teeth with new ones . This means things like artificial teeth, crowns, and bridges.

What are the treatments under Prosthodontics?

There are many types of treatments under this field. Let's look at a few of them.

Dental Crowns

A crown is like a "cap" placed on a tooth. It is used to protect a tooth that is badly decayed, badly cracked, or has undergone root canal treatment. It can restore the shape, strength, and appearance of the tooth.

Dental Bridges

This is like a bridge. A bridge is used to fill the gap when one or more teeth are missing. What happens here is that the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap are used as anchors, and artificial teeth are placed between them. This is a permanent fixture.

Dentures

There are two main types: Partial Dentures , which are used when a few teeth are missing in one place, and Full Dentures , which are used when all teeth are missing. These are made to be removable, cleaned, and reattached. This will restore your smile and your ability to eat.

Inlays and Onlays

Imagine you have a tooth that is too damaged to have a filling, but not too damaged to have a crown. That's when these inlays and onlays come in. They're like puzzle pieces, made to fit exactly over the missing part of the tooth and glued in place.

Dental Implants

This is the best and most permanent solution to replacing missing teeth today. An implant is a small screw made of titanium that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once it is properly fused with the jawbone, a crown, bridge, or denture is placed over it. It is just as strong as your natural tooth.

What are the benefits and risks of these treatments?

Advantages:

• To strengthen and restore severely damaged teeth.
• Replacing missing teeth with new ones increases appearance and self-confidence .
• Eating difficulties are gone and food is digested well.
• Correct bite.
• Being able to correct temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.

Risks:

The risks of these treatments are very low. However, as with any dental procedure, there is a very small chance of infection or nerve damage.

Most importantly: If you notice any unusual symptoms after treatment, such as fever, pus-like fluid draining from the treatment site, persistent pain, or swelling, see your dentist or prosthodontist immediately and tell them.

When should you see a doctor?

If your broken, decayed, or missing teeth are interfering with your daily life, making it difficult to eat or smile, see a dentist without delay. He or she will examine your condition and explain the best treatment options for you. He or she will also determine whether you need the services of a prosthodontist.

Prosthodontics is more than just fixing teeth. It is a valuable medical field that can help you rebuild your quality of life, your smile, and your self-confidence.