PROSTHETICS

DENTURES & PARTIAL DENTURES

A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

Dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

REASONS FOR DENTURES:

• Complete Denture - Loss of all teeth in an arch.
• Partial Denture - Loss of several teeth in an arch.
• Enhancing smile and facial tissues.
• Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.

WHAT DOES GETTING DENTURES INVOLVE?

The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.

It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty, however this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.

DENTAL BRIDGE

A dental bridge is a type of permanent fixed prosthesis for replacing missing teeth. Two or more existing teeth are used to create a bridge to cross and fill the space of one or multiple missing teeth. Bridges can be fabricated from porcelain, metal or a combination of both. Dental bridges can be supported by natural teeth, or implants.

CAUSES:

In cases where the patient’s age, overall and / or dental health, severe bone loss, history of failed implants, or personal preferences do not permit treatment with an implant, a dental bridge is an appropriate option for replacing missing teeth. A tooth can be lost due to periodontal disease, gross decay, or trauma. It is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. A missing tooth is not only an aesthetic concern. When a patient has one or more teeth missing, the teeth adjacent to or opposite of the missing tooth will begin to shift and erupt unnaturally. This process causes structural damage to the jaw bone, weakens otherwise salvageable teeth, and ultimately leads to further tooth loss. In addition, when a patient is missing multiple teeth, his or her chewing function is negatively impacted. Multiple missing teeth are directly linked to serious gastrointestinal issues.

REASONS FOR A FIXED BRIDGE:

• Fill space of missing teeth.
• Maintain facial shape.
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
• Restore chewing and speaking ability.
• Restore your smile.
• Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.

WHAT DOES GETTING A FIXED BRIDGE INVOLVE?

Getting a bridge usually requires two or more visits. While the teeth are numb, the two anchoring teeth are prepared by removing a portion of enamel to allow for a crown. Next, a highly accurate impression (mold) is made which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be fabricated. In addition, a temporary bridge will be made and worn for several weeks until your next appointment.

At the second visit, you permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit. Occasionally your dentist may only temporarily cement the bridge, allowing your teeth and tissue time to get used to the new bridge. The new bridge will be permanently cemented at a later time.

You will receive care instructions at the conclusion of the procedure. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new permanent bridge.

COMPLICATIONS:

When not properly cared for and monitored, a dental bridge can become loose and fall out over time. This is most commonly due to decay under the retainer crowns. When that happens, the decay must be cleaned and a new bridge may need to be fabricated. A more serious and aesthetically unpleasant side effect of bridges is the bone loss and gum recession that will occur over time at the site of the pontic (previous missing tooth). Because there is no pressure / usage of the bone below the pontic, bone resorption will occur within a year or less of losing the natural tooth, and get worse over time. For this reason, the standard of care for replacing missing teeth is dental implants, and bridges are reserved only for scenarios when implants are not a viable solution.

DENTAL CROWN

A dental crown is a permanent restoration used to restore the natural shape, size and function of a compromised tooth.

REASONS FOR CROWNS:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Large fillings.
• Root canal Treatment

WHAT DOES GETTING A CROWN INVOLVE?

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.

ONGOING CARE:

The best way to care for dental crowns is the same as caring for natural teeth. Proper brushing, flossing, and a regular professional cleaning at the dentist office will give a long life to your new crown.

COMPLICATIONS:

• Discomfort and sensitivity - it is common to have some discomfort and sensitivity after receiving a permanent crown. The discomfort normally resolves on its own within a few weeks. Pain or sensitivity that occurs when biting down is normally due to the crown being too high. If that occurs, please come back to the office so the bite is adjusted. In rare instances, a tooth that started with a large cavity may become more sensitive than usual after placing the crown. The tooth will be evaluated and a root canal may be needed.

Loose / fallen crown - over time, it is possible that the cement washes out from underneath the crown. If left untreated, this allows bacteria to seep in causing further tooth decay. The best way to avoid that is to see dentist regularly. A regular routine cleaning, x-rays and check up will diagnose the issue before it causes extensive decay.