Prosthetic Dentistry

Prosthodontic Dentistry or Prosthetic Dentistry treats missing teeth or treats existing teeth that have significant damage. Restorations are used to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure.

Benefits of Prosthetics

The benefits of fixing missing teeth include:

Prevents adjacent teeth from drifting into surrounding space of the missing teeth
Teeth out of position can damage tissues in the mouth
The difficulty of thorough cleaning between crooked teeth runs the risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease that can lead to the loss of another tooth.
Improves your smile
Helps to chew food properly
May improve speech
Prevent a drooping face by providing support for lips and cheeks

Detal Bridges

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is one method to fill a gap created by a missing tooth (or teeth). A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap. The false tooth is called pontic and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Restores your smile
Restores your ability to properly chew and speak
Maintains the shape of your face
Distributes the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
Prevents remaining teeth from drifting out of position
Helps preserve the natural function and position of the teeth
Restores and maintains natural bite.

Types of Dental Bridges

Traditional bridges: Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge.

Cantilever bridges: Cantilever bridges are usually used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.

Maryland bridges: Maryland bridges are also called resin-bonded bridges or Maryland-bonded bridges. Maryland bridges are supported by a metal framework that has metal wings on each side of the bridge that is bonded to the back of existing teeth.

Types of Dental Bridge Materials

There are three basic types of materials for dental bridges:

Porcelain fused to metal dental bridges
All porcelain dental bridges
All metal dental bridges (Gold)

The all porcelain dental bridges and porcelain fused to metal (PFM) dental bridges are tooth colored bridges. PFM dental bridges are usually used to restore back teeth where the forces of chewing and grinding are strongest. All porcelain dental bridges are the most aesthetic and are used almost exclusively for front teeth where the need for strength is not as critical. Gold dental bridges are the most durable and offer the most precise fit. Gold dental bridges do not chip.
The porcelain bridges used at Dental4U Aesthetic clinic include the IPS Empress e-max from Ivoclar Vivadent, Procera Nobel Esthetics from Nobel Biocare, and Cercon Smart Ceramic (Zirconium Bridge) from Dentsply.

Procedure for Dental Bridges Treatment

The course of treatment described here is for traditional bridges, one of several options available at our dental clinic. Consult your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.

First evaluation and bridge tooth preparation
Local anesthesia is first administered at the region of bridge tooth preparation
The natural teeth adjacent to the missing gap is reshaped to receive the dental bridge
Records are taken and approved with the patient to determine the color, bite, length and shape of the bridge
An impression of your teeth are made, which serve as a model for dental technician.
This model is sent to HEXA CERAM dental lab where the individualized bridge is fabricated
A temporary bridge is placed on to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the permanent bridge is made
Fitting of a bridge on delivery
The temporary bridge is removed
The new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit.
A quality assurance check is done for any re-adjustments of the dental bridge. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual's case.
The permanent bridge is fitted and cemented into place on the teeth

Postoperative Care Instructions for Dental Bridges

Both the preparation and placement of the temporary bridge as well as the bonding of the permanent bridge may cause some minor tenderness in the area. Some individuals may experience sensitivity in teeth. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks.
Replacing missing teeth should actually make eating easier but until you become accustomed to the bridge, eat soft foods that have been cut into small pieces.

Avoid chewing on or eating hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented
To help with discomfort or swelling rinse your mouth 3 times a day with warm salt water. (1tsp. of salt in 8oz of water)
Keep crown area clean to maintain tissue compatibility (the contour of the prosthesis must allow the surrounding tissue to conform to a natural, healthy position)
Some sensitivity in teeth may be experienced by certain patients. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks. If teeth are sensitive :
Avoid hot, cold or acidic food and beverages
Pain medication be taken as directed as long as there is no medical contradiction based upon your medical history
Use fluoride rinse and toothpaste for sensitivity teeth
Clean teeth properly

Care for Dental Bridges

Dental bridges require the same regular and consistent home and professional dental care, as your natural teeth to prevent decay at the tooth-dental crown junction. It is important to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong to provide optimum longevity for your restorations since the bridge long term success depends on the solid foundation offered by the surrounding teeth. To accomplish that, please follow the home care tips below:

Brush after eating and before bedtime around the bridge with a soft toothbrush, especially where the bridge meets the gum line. At the gum line harmful bacteria can be harbored to cause decay and gum disease.
Floss at least once to twice a day. Use the proxy brush or super floss to remove plaque under and around these areas to maintain good oral hygiene. Build up of food debris and plaque on your teeth and gums can become infected.
Rinse with fluoride rinse before bed. Swish the fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes
Be careful about chewing toffees, gum, grainy rolls and tough food in this area
See your dentist for regular professional check-ups and cleanings

Dental Crowns

A dental crown or dental cap is a custom made restoration that covers a tooth with sustained significant loss of structure. They are analogical to being a thimble capped over your finger. Dental crowns are used to restore teeth to a certain shape and size. They provide strength and improve the appearance of the tooth.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Protects severely damaged tooth or tooth weakened by decay, fracture, large fillings or root canal therapy from fracturing. Teeth with large fillings tend to "flex more" forcing the tooth apart possibly causing stress fractures
Holds together cracked or weaken teeth and seal the tooth from decay
Covers discolored and irregularities in teeth in improving cosmetic appearance
Helps preserve the natural function and position of the teeth
Restores tooth with large decay, cavities or filings
Supports the replacement teeth in a bridge
Restores and maintains natural bite
Covers a dental implant
Restore your smile

Types of Dental Crowns

Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys (palladium) or a base-metal alloy (nickel or chromium). Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, they rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic crowns). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown's porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown's porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.

All-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match than any other crown type and may be more suitable for people with metal allergies. However, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and they wear down opposing teeth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth. The all-ceramic crowns used at Dental4U Aesthetic clinic include the IPS Empress system and the new e-max crowns from Ivoclar Vivadent, Procera Nobel Esthetics from Nobel Biocare, and Cercon Smart Ceramic (Zirconium Crown) from Dentsply.
Temporary versus permanent. Temporary crowns can be made in your dentist's office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by the dental laboratory.

Procedure for Dental Crowns Treatment

The course of treatment described here is one of several options available at our dental clinic. Consult your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.

First evaluation and crowns tooth preparation
A few X-rays may take to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth's pulp, a root canal treatment may first be performed.
Local anesthesia is administered at the region for crown tooth preparation
The natural tooth is reshaped to receive the new dental crown
If a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), a filling material will be used to "build up" the tooth to support the crown.
Records are taken and approved with the patient to determine the color, bite, length and shape of the crown
An impressions taken for a replicate model of the teeth
This model is sent to HEXA CERAM dental laboratory where the individual personal crown is fabricated (The crown usually return from laboratory in 2 to 3 days).
A temporary crown is placed on while the permanent crown is made
Fitting of crowns on delivery
The temporary crown is removed
A quality assurance including check the fit and color of the permanent crown is done for any re-adjustments of the dental crowns
If everything is acceptable, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the tooth and the new crown is permanently cemented in place

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Postoperative care Instructions for Dental Crowns

Both the preparation and placement of the temporary crown as well as the bonding of the permanent crown may cause some minor tenderness in the area. Some individuals may experience sensitivity in teeth. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks.

Avoid chewing on or eating hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented
To help with discomfort or swelling rinse your mouth 3 times a day with warm salt water. (1tsp. of salt in 8oz of water)
Keep crown area clean to maintain tissue compatibility (the contour of the prosthesis must allow the surrounding tissue to conform to a natural, healthy position)
Some sensitivity in teeth may be experienced by certain patients. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few days to weeks. If teeth are sensitive
- Avoid hot, cold or acidic food and beverages
- Pain medication be taken as directed as long as there is no medical contradiction based upon your medical history
- Use fluorides rinse and toothpaste for sensitivity teeth
- Clean teeth properly

Care for Dental Crowns

Dental crowns require the same regular and consistent home and professional dental care, as your natural teeth to prevent decay at the tooth-dental crown junction. To provide optimum longevity for your restorations, please follow the home care tips below:

Brush after eating and before bedtime around the crown with a soft toothbrush, especially where the crown meets the gum line. At the gum line harmful bacteria can be accumulate to cause decay and gum disease.
Floss at least once to twice a day. Use the proxy brush or dental floss to remove plaque under and around these areas to maintain good oral hygiene. Build up of food debris and plaque on your teeth and gums can become infected.
Rinse with fluoride rinse before bed. Swish the fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes
Be careful about chewing toffees, gum, grainy rolls and tough food in this area
See your dentist for regular professional check-ups and cleanings

FMC CROWN

PFM CROWN

ZIRCONIA CROWN

Dentures

A denture replaces missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Unlike dental implants, a denture is removable.

Benefits of Dentures

Prevents existing teeth from drifting into the surrounding space of the missing teeth
Teeth out of position can damage tissues in the mouth
Helps to chew food

Type of Dentures

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures or Full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing . Complete dentures can be either "conventional" or "immediate". The framework of complete dentures may be made of resin, metal or a combination.
Implant supported overdentures are an alternate to conventional dentures whereby a full dentures is placed over the dental implants with metal bar/balls that gives better retention.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal clasps or precision attachments that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible

Conventional Dentures and Immediate Dentures

Conventional Dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. Conventional dentures are ready for placement in the mouth about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed. As a result, the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums shrink over time; especially during the healing period following tooth removal therefore immediate dentures would usually require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process and generally should only be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made. The healing process as it can take months for your bone and tissue to stabilize after tooth extractions.

Procedure for Conventional Dentures Treatment

First Evaluation and dentures site preparation
if tooth extraction is required, the teeth are extracted and left to heal
Making the dentures
Once the gums are healed and healthy, an impression of the mouth is taken for a wax-up
The wax-up is used to determine the most optimal position of the jaw and teeth dimensions (size, shape, length, width)
The wax up is sent to a dental laboratory to construct a "try-in" set of denture
Trial of "try-in" set of dentures and re-adjustments
The "try-in' denture are placed in the mouth to assure comfort, fit, bite position and appearance
The "try-in" dentures are re-worked in the labs and trail fitted during next visits until the color, shape and proper fit is obtained for the final set of dentures to be cast
Fitting of final dentures

For immediate dentures, impression-taking and the wax-up is first done before tooth extraction.

Recovery Expectations

Recovery from getting dentures may be a two-step process. If extractions are necessary, patients can expect the recovery of their gums to take up to 4 weeks or longer.

Once healed and the dentures are placed, the patient will need time to adjust to the new teeth. While patients can speak normally within a few hours, they may experience minor discomfort when eating or chewing. This discomfort may last from several days to a few weeks until the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place and you get comfortable inserting and removing them. It is recommended that patients with new dentures eat soft foods until they become comfortable with chewing.

It is not unusual for minor irritation or soreness to occur and for saliva flow to increase when you first start wearing dentures, but these problems will diminish as your mouth adjusts to the new denture.

Care for Dentures

Dentures should be removed at night to give the gums a rest and to reduce the pressure on the underlying bone or as directed by your dentist
Regular denture care includes brushing your denture with a denture brush and a denture paste after eating. Dentures can collect plaque and food stains
Keep your dentures in water to avoid drying out and distorting.
Dentures can and may break if dropped onto a hard surface, thus be careful when handling them.
Clean and massage your gums and tongue with a regular soft-bristled toothbrush to help keep them healthy.