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You have probably never heard the term prosthodontics and probably have not met a prosthodontist, either. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist that rebuilds your teeth when they are missing. Another part of their specialty is that they rebuild defects in the face and jaw, whether they originated from birth, an accident, or diseases such as cancer or periodontal disease.
People who have gone through a tragedy or have to live with a visible defect of some kind want to get relief. It can not only be embarrassing, but it can also damage one’s self-respect and image. Getting problems such as these repaired or reconstructed can improve the quality of life for that person.
After a candidate becomes a dentist, they will receive training for at least another three years to become a prosthodontist. Once their highly specialized training is completed, they are considered the experts in the field of rebuilding your teeth, jaw, and lower face. They will be the ones to guide a team of other dentists and specialists when reconstruction is needed.
In general, a prosthodontist deals with various types of prosthesis, which is an artificial body part used to modify or replace a real one – or to supply one not there. They work to diagnose and maintain oral function, as well as to help provide comfort and appearance of the mouth, jaw, and teeth. They perform such functions as:
Another task of the prosthodontist is to rehabilitate the face, jaw, and mouth, after cancer surgery – or a similar disfiguring event. Replacing teeth with dental implants has become one of their major tasks, one in which they are involved nearly every day. After a 3-D CT scan, they plan it, place them, and restore them. If you are looking to get dental implants, or need reconstructive surgery, you can find the expert you need at Champion Dental.
If you are dissatisfied with the way your teeth, mouth, or jaw looks, you can change all of it with full mouth rehabilitation. The treatment generally involves all of your teeth, as well as replacing any other missing structures in your mouth. This procedure is also called a full mouth reconstruction. It is different from a smile makeover because that procedure is usually chosen as a cosmetic procedure and it is not a matter of necessity.
If your teeth are missing, or not functioning well when you chew, this prosthodontic treatment may help you. You will meet with a prosthodontist to discuss what you are looking for, and then a plan will be laid out. Then, you choose which options you want and discuss the expected results.
When teeth are damaged, missing, or not in good overall health due to cavities, cracks, or are broken or worn, they need to be extracted. A prosthodontist will seek to replace them with dental implants or dentures.
A prosthesis can also be built to restore a jaw, chin, or other mouthparts. This will enable your smile to be restored along with your new teeth. If you have had cancer treatment or have congenital defects in your jaw and mouth, you can be given a new look. Your bite can also be changed if there is a problem.
Full mouth rehabilitation is usually performed in a series of steps – not all at once. This means that the total process could take a year and possibly even longer. It may involve either fixed prosthodontics or removable dental prosthodontics.
Candidates for this procedure need to be in good health. Some lifestyle choices such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption may undo the reconstruction work and will need to be avoided.
If you need advanced dentistry or full mouth rehabilitation, you can obtain these services at Champion Dental. The friendly prosthodontist there will glad to explain the various options available to you and help you get a new look. Most dental insurance plans are accepted. You can set up a consultation or get more information about advanced dentistry by contacting the office.
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