Types of Dental Prostheses

The area in dentistry that fits prostheses for missing teeth is called prosthodontics. General dentists usually make some of these prostheses, but when the case is more complicated, a specialist may be called upon. Prostheses are used to replace either congenitally missing teeth or teeth that have been lost due to dental disease. They can replace an individual tooth or a series of teeth that are missing.

Crown

• A dental crown is a prosthesis that covers the part of the tooth above the gum tissue. Crowns are necessary when a tooth has been weakened due to a fracture, large area of decay, large filling or having had root canal therapy. A standard crown utilizes the solid root structure that remains on the tooth. A dentist removes the diseased areas on the crown of the original tooth until a stub remains. A crown is made to replicate your natural tooth and is then cemented to the stub, which strengthens the tooth. Crowns are made from different materials including metal, porcelain and porcelain fused to metal. In order to crown a tooth, there must be adequate tooth structure remaining as well as good bone support.

Implant

• When not enough tooth structure remains to place a standard crown on a tooth, the tooth may need to removed. When an individual tooth is missing and there is good bone support, a dental implant can be a good option. Dental implants are placed in two steps. In the initial stage, an oral surgeon performs a surgery that involves drilling a screw into the patient's jawbone. The patient may choose to be put under general anesthesia for the surgery. After a healing period of up to six weeks, the crown can be made and placed. The crown procedure follows the same steps outlined in the crown section.

Bridge

• When one or more teeth are missing and there is good tooth support on either side of the gap, a bridge is an option. A bridge involves crowning the two supportive teeth, called the abutments, and connecting them to an artificial crown to fill the space. The bridge is a fixed, connected unit that is supported by the patient's natural teeth or dental implants. The initial appointment involves grinding down the abutment teeth to stubs. Impressions of the area are taken and sent to a laboratory where the bridge is made. Until the bridge is available, the patient wears a temporary bridge to protect the exposed areas of tooth. The dentist cements the permanent crown in place at the final appointment and makes necessary adjustments.

Dentures

• A complete denture is available when a person is missing all of her teeth. When the person is missing many teeth, a partial denture is also an option. A full denture is supported by the bone underneath your gum, and a partial denture gets support from the remaining teeth. A dentist will take impressions of the patient's mouth and send them to the lab where the denture will be made. This usually takes several appointments in which models and wax molds are tried on and adjusted. Once the process is complete, the dentist fits the final denture and makes adjustments so it is comfortable.