Information for Patients
We strive to provide all our patients, both old and new. with answers to their ever question. We want you to feel at home and completely comfortable with the procedures and the staff.
Questions & Answers
Why Receive Care From A Prosthodontist?
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Questions & Answers
I don't wear my lower denture because it moves too much. Can you make one that stays put?
A lower denture relies on a “ridge”, the jawbone leftover
after teeth are removed, and gravity to stay in place. If you have lost
weight or had this denture for many years, the shape of this ridge is different
than when first placed so it feels unstable. Many people tolerate this
condition far longer than they should because an ill-fitting denture causes
even more destruction of this ridge. You should make an appointment,
bringing your existing denture, and I will evaluate it and discuss your options.
My current bridge has made a dark line near my gums. Can you fix this?
If a dark line occurs over time, it is either decay or the edge of the crowns that
make up the bridge. I can fix both conditions. The paper-thin edge of a
crown is actually metal, used to strengthen the crown, which slides under the gumline
when first placed. This metal usually begins to show if your gums recede due to
vigorous brushing, periodontal disease, or sometimes aging. It is important to
determine the cause of receding gums during a dental exam.
I have some health problems that my current dentist says prevent the use of implants
to replace my missing teeth. Am I stuck getting dentures?
Admittedly, there are a handful of diseases that interfere with the use of implants,
particularly a type called “endosseous”. This type is most often
used to replace single teeth. However, prosthodontists are specialists in implants,
placing several types and working with different manufacturers' designs. A conference
with your health care providers, combined with a properly-selected implant and proper
maintenance, may be all that's needed to keep you out of dentures.
My family dentist doesn't do implants because she says they are
problematic. Is this true?
When implants first became available 20 years ago, no one realized the importance
of the surgical technique and failures were quite common. Today, there is a
92% success rate. I have done over 6000 implants with few problems.
I suspect that your dentist is reluctant to try them because the technique is
tricky or she has tried a few and had problems.
I was told that I needed “fixed prosthodontics” to
replace a small front denture that I have worn since junior high. What does that mean?
“Fixed prosthodontics” refers to any porcelain, metal, or
porcelain-fused-to-metal structure of that is permanently cemented into place to fix
existing teeth or replace missing ones. If it fixes one tooth, it is a “crown”,
and if it replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching to natural teeth on each side of the
gap, it is a “bridge”.
My current lower denture moves so much when I chew, yet I need it to eat.
Do you have any suggestions to improve this situation?
Many people have the same complaint about their lower partial dentures or
dentures and often refuse to wear them to eat. That is not a good idea because
it puts undue strain on the jawbone and can create bigger problems. Your
lower denture will stay put if it's made to attach to the jawbone. Investigate
the possibility of dental implants, surgically placed into the jawbone with a projection
above the gum, to which an overdenture could fit. The inside of the overdenture has
snap-like fixtures that fit over the projections securely.
Why Receive Care From A Prosthodontist?
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association , the prosthodontic dental specialty is one of the oldest, established in 1947. It is responsible for diagnosis, rehabilitation and maintenance of patients with complex clinical conditions involving missing or deficient teeth, craniofacial tissues or both, and for providing treatment via the use of biocompatible substitutes such as implants. The essence of the specialty, however, is expert treatment planning*. The members of this specialty have pioneered many of the techniques now used in practice, focusing on materials that are compatible in the mouth as well as esthetically pleasing. They look toward the future, evaluating new dental materials first. Most importantly, they recognize the value of a multi-disciplinary approach to care and don't hesitate to conference first with other dental specialists to develop the optimal plan for care.
Prosthodontists receive an additional three years of training after dental school. As such, they understand the importance of technique and biocompatibility when using dental materials. They perform dental implants daily, rather than monthly, and select implant construction specifically suited for the biting load it must endure. They also rise to the challenge of using man-made materials to accurately mimic natural teeth. That explains why some people have easily-recognized crowns and dentures completed by dentists, while others have natural-looking crowns and dentures created by prosthodontists that closely resemble a youthful smile.
Privacy Policy
In accordance with the Health Information Privacy and Accountability Act of 1997, this office uses coded information, rather than patient names, when handling personal documents. This ensures that privileged information about patients' health status and dental treatment is confined to use on an as-needed basis.
Glossary of ProceduresAmalgam Restoration = silver-colored filling material that replaces tooth structure damaged by decay or fracture. Build-up = strong material used to replace the inner core of a tooth, prior to placing a crown, when natural tooth structure is missing. Bridge = a series of crowns that attach together, permanently cemented in place, to fill the space where teeth are missing. Composite Restoration = tooth-colored filling material that replaces tooth structure damaged by decay or fracture. Cosmetic Bonding = tooth-colored material that is added to teeth to re-shape them. Crown = a porcelain or metal structure that covers the entire tooth above the gum line, usually used to mend a cracked tooth, strengthen a dead tooth, or replace missing tooth structure. MORE TO COME... |