Prosthodontists Dentists

General dental professionals are trained in handling all regular dental care and minor dental treatments, like dental fillings. In addition, some general dentists get extra training in certain processes; on the other hand, a prosthodontist is a dental expert who has obtained highly focused, extensive training in tooth restoration and replacement. Once you need oral surgery or a tooth replacement, talking to and obtaining treatment from a prosthodontist will ensure that you get efficient, high-quality treatment that meets your precise needs and generates beautiful, long-term smile solutions.

The main difference between a general dentist and a prosthodontist is that a prosthodontist handles the replacement of teeth and the restoration of your oral function and health throughout your whole mouth. General dentistry focuses on repairing teeth, as well as making sure that they stay healthy. Some other things setting prosthodontists apart from general dental professionals include:

  • Up to 3 years of extra training with an ADA-accredited program is needed to become a prosthodontist
  • Prosthodontists deal with complicated dental cases, which include implants, dentures, jaw surgery, and much more
  • Also, prosthodontists provide bridges, crowns, and veneers that replace and restore teeth

Usually, a prosthodontist performs the following types of services:

Crowns and Bridges

A dental bridge holds the teeth in position once a tooth is missing, as well as prevents the teeth from shifting. Dental bridges replace missing teeth with artificial teeth, which are attached to surrounding teeth for support. Bridges may be alternatives to removable dentures, as they’re permanent partial dentures, similar to implants.

Once a crack or extensive decay compromises the structural integrity of a tooth you will require a crown. Occasionally called ‘caps,’ they easily may last over 20 years. Dental crowns are utilized once there isn’t sufficient tooth structure to hold a dental filling. They’re customized to the specification of the dentist.

Dentures

Partial and complete dentures are prosthetic teeth utilized to replace missing teeth, as well as provide patients with a full smile and better chewing capabilities. Dentures appear like natural teeth, and brand-new dentistry advances have made them extremely comfortable to wear, so patients can smile without hesitation.

Kinds of Dentures

Partial Dentures: It’s an excellent solution if you have teeth that are able to be saved – because they’ll preserve the jawbone and offer support and stability for your denture. Your denture will fit around the natural teeth. You also might want to give consideration to implants, serving the same function.

Full Dentures: These are customized for the mouth after all of your teeth are extracted and your mouth’s tissues have healed. Full dentures cover the whole lower or upper jaw in one arch. They may be secured to the jaw by implants, or they can be removable.

Dental Implants

These treatments require specialist dental professionals – Periodontists, Oral Surgeons, or Prosthodontists. Dental specialists have obtained years of extra training in their industries. Having them on-site at Metropolitan Prosthodontics means they’ll partner with the general dentist – in order for you to receive the team you need.

Dental Implant Benefits

Firm support: implant-supported dentures and bridges, and single-tooth implants do not slip. It makes speaking and eating as close to normal as possible.

• Our patients inform us that an implant-supported denture is more comfortable and provides a more natural feel than a standard denture

For missing teeth, a dental implant not just improves a smile and how a person eats, it’ll prevent:

  • opposing teeth from protruding
  • adjoining teeth from subsiding
  • cheek from sagging (making you appear older)
  • jawbone from losing bone/shrinking

Dental implants may last forever – which makes them extremely affordable in the long term.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Typically, cosmetic dentistry is utilized to refer to all work that improves the look of gums, teeth, and/or bite. It mainly concentrates on improvement in aesthetics in position, color, size, shape, alignment, and smile appearance, in general.

Teeth Whitening

A gorgeous smile does not only make you feel confident, it also is vital for your health. Our staff of caring dentists and gentle hygienists will whiten and clean your teeth in order for you to feel and look your best. Whether you’re looking for immediate professional teeth whitening, or you want to do your very own teeth whitening in your own home, Metropolitan Prosthodontics will provide what’s needed.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

Maxillofacial Prosthetics involve a prosthodontic subspecialty that includes rehabilitation of people who have disabilities or defects present when born or they developed because of trauma or disease.

Prostheses are frequently necessary to replace missing spaces of tissue or bone, as well as restore oral functions like chewing, speech, and swallowing. In other cases, a prosthesis for the body or face might be needed for psychosocial and cosmetic reasons. Also, prosthetic devices might be made to shield or position facial structures while undergoing radiation therapy.

People who commonly want prosthetic care are the ones who’ve been involved in an accident, have had surgical extraction of diseased tissues, or are experiencing a neuromuscular disorder from a stroke or ALS. In addition, children may be born without complete development of palate, teeth, or ears, and require specialized care.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontists are used to cooperatively working with oral surgeons, ENTs, specialty and general dentists, neurologists, plastic surgeons, speech pathologists, radiation oncologists, anaplastologists, and a variety of ancillary specialists. The overall aim of all maxillofacial prosthetic procedures involves improving a patient’s quality of life.

Below is a list of prosthetic treatment examples which aren’t all-inclusive.

Intraoral Prostheses:

Surgical Obturator Prosthesis: This covers the palate after total or partial loss of the upper jaw (maxilla). It’s utilized after an operation to offer closure.

Interim and Definitive Obturator: This covers the palate after total or partial loss of the upper jaw or because of a cleft palate. It’ll restore gums and teeth and has an extension that closes the hole or defect for speaking, chewing, eating, and swallowing.

Palatal Lift Prosthesis: Aids the soft palate in assuming proper placement for speech.

Palatal Augmentation Prosthesis: This prosthetically alters the palate for speech.

Mandibular Resection Prosthesis: This replaces a part of the jaw that was lost and restores teeth and gums.

Fluoride Carrier: This is a tray filled up with fluoride gel for those who have dry mouth from radiation therapy, medications, or specific clinical conditions. Assists in strengthening, protecting, and preserving compromised teeth.

Extraoral Prostheses:

Ocular Prosthesis: This will replace the eye

Orbital Prosthesis: This will replace the eye and tissues around it

Auricular Prosthesis: This will replace the ear

Nasal Prosthesis: This will replace the nose

Midfacial Prosthesis: This will replace a portion of the face that might involve more than a single structure

Somatic Prosthesis: This will replace a part of the body like hands, fingers, etc.

Radiation Shield: This is worn while undergoing radiation therapy for safeguarding normal tissues

For more information on any of our services contact the friendly professionals at Metropolitan Prosthodontics in Plymouth, MN today at (763) 559-7600.