Prosthodontics dentists, general dentists, what is the difference? Many patients get confused about when to visit their regular dentist and when to visit a prosthodontist. This article will talk about the difference between the two and when a patient would need to seek treatment from which specialist.
Prosthodontist VS Dentist
The first noteworthy detail that needs to be mentioned is that a prosthodontist is also a dentist. They have had more extensive training than a general dentist in the field of restorative dental techniques. Prosthodontics dentists would specialize in dental procedures that replace the natural teeth of patients to restore their original and more perfect smile.
When to visit a prosthodontist
If you suffer from tooth loss and would like to get your missing teeth replaced, to bring back the quality of your smile, visiting a prosthodontist would be a good idea. They would be able to suggest the best possible treatment method to replace the missing teeth in your mouth, as well as teach you about methods on preventing further tooth loss from occurring.
There is a chance that your regular dentist may already be a prosthodontist, and they can be the ones to address the problem of your missing teeth, but if not, your general dentist will be able to recommend a prosthodontist to handle your case. Prosthodontists, dentists and other specialists would all work together to help you maintain good oral health.
Prosthodontist Services
There are many services that prosthodontists can offer, they all deal with the restoration of teeth.
Veneers. These would be porcelain attachments placed on the front part of teeth, to restore the aesthetic quality of teeth that might have been damaged by cracks, discoloration and other types of wear and tear. This type of procedure is minimally invasive but will require some of the tooth enamel to be removed to make the veneer adhere to the tooth.
Dental implants. If the patient has tooth loss, a dental implant may be considered to replace the lost tooth. Dental implants are put into the jawbone of the patient, and then a porcelain crown is put on top of the implant to complete the look. This type of procedure is one of the costliest methods to replace teeth, but if the patient takes care of their implants well, they would never need replacing.
Crowns. Dental crowns are fabricated using metal, porcelain or other types of materials and are used to replace most of the teeth. The tooth is chiseled down to a small stump and the tooth crown will fit over the stump. Crowns usually last around five to ten years, depending on the quality of care they are given.
Dentures. Dentures, or false teeth, have been around a while. There are many types of dentures, some removable and some that are permanent. Your dentist can be able to determine which kind of denture would suit your needs most.
Dental bridges. A bridge is similar to a dental crown, but it would involve the two adjacent teeth on either side of the missing tooth to be ground down and used to anchor in the prosthetic tooth.