ProsthodontistLos Angeles, CA

Fixed Prosthodontics vs. Removable Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics covers a wide range of services and treatments, some fixed and others removable.

Fixed Prosthesis

Fixed prostheses are permanent appliances that stay on a patient's teeth. They are commonly used when a patient has one or more missing teeth that are close together. Fixed prostheses include bridges, inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers, all of which improve patients' smiles.

Removable Prosthesis

Removable prostheses are dental appliances that can be taken out, usually for cleaning the teeth and gums. These appliances are typically used for patients with the majority of their teeth needing restorations. Removable prostheses include partial or complete dentures and rebasing and relining treatments.

Symptoms and Signs

There are a variety of common symptoms and signs that indicate a patient may need a prosthesis. The first and most common sign is missing or defective teeth. Symptoms of a defective tooth include pain, sensitivity, bad breath, bad taste, swelling, and bumps under the gums. Patients experiencing such symptoms should immediately seek dental care.

Defective teeth are often a result of injury or trauma but are also commonly caused by poor oral hygiene. Patients with untreated tooth decay, or cavities, are more likely to acquire an infection and, in severe cases, a defective tooth. We will examine the tooth and surrounding area during the consultation appointment and discuss whether extraction is necessary prior to prosthodontic treatment.

Areas of Prosthodontic Treatment

All prosthodontic patients undergo an extensive examination and consultation before receiving treatment. Once the doctor has a deep understanding of a patient's needs, an in-depth treatment plan is devised that may or may not necessitate several other dental professionals. Though the list of treatments is extensive, prosthodontists generally offer the following services:

• Crowns: Patients may need crowns if they recently underwent a root canal or have fractured, misshapen or broken teeth. Crowns cover the entire visible surface of a tooth above the gum line. They are sometimes also known as caps.
• Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are ultra-thin casings of ceramic that cover the front of the tooth. Veneers reshape, elongate, or change the color of teeth. Occasionally they are implemented to close small gaps.
• Dental Implants: Implants are necessary to replace missing or severely damaged teeth. Implants consist of titanium steel posts that the dentist embeds into the gum line via a surgical procedure. These posts fuse to the jawbone and provide unwavering support for the cap, designed to look and feel like a natural tooth.
• Dentures: Full and partial dentures help improve the aesthetics and functionality of a person who is missing several teeth. Implant-supported dentures provide additional stability. They are attached to the implants rather than resting on the gums.
• Fixed Bridges: This method involves using a natural tooth on either side of a gap to support a bridge of one or more artificial teeth. The placement of a bridge usually takes several dental visits. Bridges may last for 10 to 15 years.

Finding a Local Prosthodontist

Luckily, finding a local prosthodontist is now easier than ever. Online review sites, such as Healthgrades, are a popular starting place for many potential patients when looking for a new prosthodontist. These allow individuals to compare and contrast potential providers. Patients can also turn to a practice's social media practice to determine if a doctor may be a good fit for them.

More traditional patients can also rely on word-of-mouth referrals from their friends, family members, or doctors. Regardless of whatever method an individual chooses, everyone should begin their search knowing what they are looking for: Do they want a prosthodontist that is nearby for optimal convenience? Are they looking for someone who treats all ages so that they can take the whole family? These questions can help guide one's search.