What is a Prosthodontist?
Happy Valley, OR
 Your general dentist has an important job. They help you to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, which helps you to prevent serious oral health complications. However, sometimes, your oral health suffers, and a specialist is needed. One of these specialists is a prosthodontist and can be found at Fusion Dental Specialists.
What is a Prosthodontist?
There are 9 different dental specialties, and prosthodontics is only one of them. A prosthodontist specializes in restoring damaged teeth as well as replacing teeth that are missing, helping you to have a beautiful smile while maintaining the health of your mouth. After completing 4 years of dental school to become a general dentist, a prosthodontist then goes on to receive 3 more years of specialized training, where they receive both classroom education and hands-on training in the latest prosthodontic techniques. Some prosthodontists even transcend beyond this training into an even more intense program to become board certified.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Tooth loss, no matter if it’s due to aging or oral trauma, significantly impacts your oral health and your overall quality of life. Not only does it affect your smile, making you self-conscious, it can also affect your ability to eat and speak. Moreover, when you can’t properly chew your food, it affects your digestion, which can lead to malnutrition. Missing teeth can also impact your oral health, causing your jawbone to deteriorate, which then leads to your remaining teeth to shift, throwing off your bite. It can also increase your risk of developing gum disease.
At Fusion Dental Specialists, our prosthodontist can help by replacing your missing teeth. There are several options available, depending on your specific needs:
| • |
Bridges. These are fixed appliances, which anchor onto the healthy teeth surrounding a gap with crowns. They are used to replace a single missing tooth, usually up to three.
|
| • |
Partial dentures. A removable prosthetic device that is supported by your gums and held in place with metal wires, a partial denture is used to replace areas where several teeth are missing.
|
| • |
Full dentures. Removable prosthetic teeth that are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. They are supported by your gums.
|
| • |
Dental implants. Implants are the latest in replacements for missing teeth. Titanium rods are surgically implanted into the jawbone. These implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth. Instead of being supported by your gums, your teeth are supported by the implants. This replacement option is permanent. |
Cosmetic and Aesthetic Fixes
When your teeth are damaged, your oral health can be compromised. Cracks and chips, depending upon their depth, can lead to infections in the teeth, that would then require a root canal. They can also impact your smile. These fixes include:
| • |
The placement of crowns, which cover the entire visible portion of a crown, providing strength and protection to a weakened tooth.
|
| • |
Veneers. Thin shells that cover the front portion of your visible teeth used to cover over several different minor imperfections.
|
| • |
Dental bonding, which can alter the shape of a tooth to make it appear more natural. |
If your teeth are suffering, and you are in need of prosthodontic treatment, Fusion Dental Specialists can help. Call (503) 653-2299 today to schedule your appointment! |
