Dental treatments provided by the Prosthodontist
As defined by the CDA, Prosthodontists restore esthetics, function and comfort with artificial substitutes. These artificial materials constitute a wide variety of restorations including fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and oral implants. These restorations are used by the Prosthodontist in his/her everyday practice to restore damaged teeth, replace missing teeth, anchor dentures/crowns/bridges with dental implants, enhance patients? esthetics (dental and facial) and correct orofacial problems.
Restoring damaged teeth
Damage to the teeth can occur during the development of teeth or caused by caries, failing restorations, trauma, teeth grinding, exposure of teeth to acid (diet or disease) or reduction of salivary flow. Prosthodontists provide services such as fillings, veneers and crowns to address each patient?s concerns. The complexity of every dental condition is variable and could range from minor intervention to comprehensive treatment.
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| Badly worn teeth | Same teeth after treatment |
Replacing missing teeth
Prosthodontists offer their patients a wide range of options to replace missing teeth depending on each patient's needs. Whether a patient is a candidate for complete dentures, a removable partial denture, dental implants, a fixed bridge or combination of treatment alternatives, Prosthodontists are well-educated to provide high-quality care. These specialists have an excellent understanding of dental laboratory procedures, and they work closely with dental technicians to ensure that each custom-made prosthesis is attractive and comfortable for the patient.
Oral implants
One of the remarkable advances in dentistry today ? oral implants - is directly related to the services Prosthodontists provide. Canadian Prosthodontists have been pioneers and instrumental in fostering these advances. They have been in the vanguard of research over the last thirty years concerning the effectiveness of dental implants. As a possible alternative to conventional tooth replacement options, dental implants offer patients wonderful advantages. This biotechnology is rapidly becoming the state of the art treatment option among patients who are missing all or some of their teeth.
| Missing lateral incisors | |
| Before treatment | After treatment |
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 A radiograph (dental x-ray) of a single tooth implant holding a crown in place. |
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| Implants in upper jaw | Implants in lower jaw |
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| Panoramic radiograph of implants in upper and lower jaws | |
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| Implant prostheses in place | A smile made with Implants! |
Aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry
A major part of a Prosthodontist?s everyday work is related to cosmetics. Whether it is a single restoration or a more extensive rehabilitation, there is always a common denominator: the artificial component(s) has to blend harmoniously with the surrounding oral environment. In everyday practice, Prosthodontics and cosmetics go hand in hand. Any procedure prescribed to a patient not only has to be functional and comfortable but it also has to faithfully reproduce form and esthetics. Since the Canadian population are retaining more of their own teeth as they age and also living longer, Prosthodontists are playing a key role in helping patients maintain a healthy and attractive appearance. Prosthodontists are experts in whitening and bonding techniques, colour matching, use of veneers to reshape teeth and enhance appearance, and the precise fabrication and placement of fixed prostheses such as crowns and bridges. Prosthodontists combine the mind of a health care professional with the hands and the eyes of an artist to create healthy natural-looking restorations.
Complex cases
A Prosthodontist's training includes in-depth study and experience in the relationship of teeth and jaws necessary for a proper bite. Working with other specialists, Prosthodontists provide treatment for patients with birth defects such as cleft palate; conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD); traumatic injuries; and complex restorations for patients who have undergone surgical radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.
Please feel free to use this website to Find a Prosthodontist near you and/or talk to your dentist.
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| Missing central incisors | Restored central incisors |