You and your family may already have a regular dentist who you visit for routine check-ups. However, if you’re having ongoing dental issues that don’t seem to be healing or you have a few broken teeth, you may need to see a prosthodontist.
Many people use a prosthodontist when they need the dentures Mornington dentists have on offer. When else will you need this type of dental specialist? Keep reading to find out.
What is a Prosthodontist?
Prosthodontics is a specialised field of dental care where restorative and cosmetic procedures are used to repair broken or lost teeth. The primary goal in this form of dentistry is to provide you with long-lasting, realistic restorations that help you regain as much tooth function as possible.
Necessary if You’ve Had Dental Damage
It’s very easy to confuse orthodontics with prosthodontics, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you don’t know what the latter does. In reality, you may be more familiar with prosthodontics than you realise. Here’s a close look a why you may need to visit a prosthodontist.
1. Offers Dental Restoration
Prosthodontics is often referred to as cosmetic or restorative dentistry. When a tooth requires rehabilitating weakened, damaged, or broken teeth it falls under the prosthodontic blanket.
The most common prosthodontic services include the following:
- Dentures: More commonly known as false teeth, dentures are prosthetic devices that replace a few or all missing teeth. They can be permanent or removable.
- Dental implants: These are titanium screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace one or several missing teeth.
- Porcelain veneers: For the most part, porcelain veneers are custom-made, thin caps that are bonded over a broken tooth to improve functionality and appearance.
- Dental bridges: An artificial tooth is placed over a broken tooth and is connected to two healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth.
- Dental crowns: These are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over a missing to damaged tooth.
2. Can Provide Full Mouth Oral Rehabilitation
If you need more than just a few teeth repaired, you may need a fill mouth oral rehabilitation. This refers to instances where the full mouth needs to be restored. Typically this process involves rebuilding and replacing all the teeth.
People of all ages could require full mouth-oral rehabilitation. Several reasons can cause this to happen. The most common include the following:
- Birth defects
- Teeth lost due to trauma or tooth decay
- Tooth infections
- Fractures or injured teeth
- Tooth wear
- Long-term acid erosion
- Long-term teeth grinding that has resulted in severely worn teeth
3. Provide Long-Term Solutions
Another significant plus about going to a prosthodontist is that you’ll have access to long-term solutions. Dental restorations, such as veneers and dentures, are made of high-quality materials and advanced techniques to be both durable and functional.
With the proper after-care, you will potentially experience fewer dental issues in the long run. It’s also unlikely that any of the procedures will have to be redone. Your prosthodontist will also provide you with detailed steps of the best aftercare to suit your type of procedure.
4. In-Office Prosthodontics Makes After Care Easier
One of the most crucial aspects of your prosthodontic procedure is the aftercare and long-term maintenance. Your prosthodontist will be able to advise you of the best care for your new teeth and will perform routine checks to ensure healing is going as planned.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that prosthodontists are usually fully booked for months in advance. That means if you’re going to see one for the first time after a procedure you may end up on a waiting list.
Seeing your prosthodontist before the procedure ensures that you can be scheduled for routine follow-up, potentially without the wait. Comprehensive aftercare exams and cleaning form part of the routine check-ups.
5. Treatments are Customised
Each person’s mouth and dental needs are unique. Since prosthodontists are dental specialists, they will be able to provide you with customised treatment plans that are tailored to your unique needs.
Keep in mind that you may require a referral to a prosthodontist from your regular dental practitioner. This will give the specialist a better understanding of your oral history as well as the treatments that you’ve already had. It’s essential to discuss all the symptoms, causes, and existing treatments and medications with your prosthodontist.
Your first visit will always be a comprehensive assessment that involves exams and X-rays to establish what your current dental issues are. Recommendations will then be made for the best way to restore functionality and aesthetic value to your mouth.
Final Thoughts
If you need more than just routine care for your dental issues, it may be time to ask for a referral to a prosthodontist. As dental specialists, they will be able to find the best and most durable solution for your unique dental issues. The right treatment and quality aftercare for your broken and weak teeth will have you smiling broadly in no time!
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.