Prosthodontic Services More About Dr. Nimchuk's Clinic
What is Prosthodontics?
This is a specialty branch of dentistry that provides prosthetic replacements for missing, damaged or altered teeth or other oral or facial tissues.
How does prosthodontics correct damage or defects?
- Damaged teeth may be restored by crowns.
- Missing teeth may be restored by implants plus crowns or by non-removable bridges.
- Partial dentures may be used to replace multiple missing teeth and resorbed gums and bony ridges.
- Complete denture(s) may be used when all teeth in the arch are missing. Often titanium bone implants are used to secure dentures from shifting.
- Facial or other oral structures may also be replaced by various methods such as can occur in cleft palate syndrome or facial trauma.
How does a dentist become a prosthodontist?
After completing what is normally six to seven years of university training a Dentist is graduated and can practice general Dentistry. An additional three years qualifies a Dentist to become a prosthodontist. Usually an additional examination procedure is required to obtain certification, hence the designation "certified specialist in prosthodontics".
What are other specialties in Dentistry?
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Medicine
- Oral Radiology
Who might send you to a Prosthodontist?
- Your family dentist - for assistance in handling special or complex restorations or reconstructions.
- Your family physician - for help in managing fundamental problems which produce Temperomandibular joint disturbances or managing some types of problems related to birth defects.
- Medical and Dental Specialists - for prosthodontic services which require mangement of difficult restorative problems.
What can a Prosthodontist do for you?
Your Prosthodontist has one objective; to help you to return as close as possible to healthy function and good appearance. While Prosthodontists are expert at providing functional corrections, they are also highly skilled at providing cosmetic and esthetic dental services and are sought after to provide the very best in appearance enhancement procedures.
What are the most common Prosthodontic Procedures?
- Single Crowns - creating non-removable jackets or caps of metal, porcelain or plastic, covering teeth to protect them and restore normal function and appearance.
- Fixed Bridges - creating non-removable restorations to replace missing teeth.
- Partial Dentures - creating removable replacements for partial tooth loss.
- Complete Dentures - creating full, removable replacements for total tooth loss.
- Overdenture Service - creating removable replacements utilizing the roots of some teeth or a dental implant for support.
- Implant-Supported Fixed Crown and Bridge or Removable Dentures - creating non-removable restorations and/or removable dentures supported by permanent dental implants.
- Reconstruction and Maxillofacial Services - rebuilding the teeth, jaw, palate, or other facial structures, to correct complex problems including TMJ dysfunction, and to evaluate the need for implant dentistry.