The process of replacing lost teeth by using various prostheses to replace their function and aesthetics is called prosthetic dental treatment. Many alternative prosthesis methods can be applied in the rehabilitation of the missing tooth or area.
What is Prosthetic Dentistry?
Today, there are 8 different main specialties in dentistry. Prosthetic dental treatment methods are one of these specialties. In case of loss of teeth or teeth due to different factors, the gap that occurs in the mouth causes the functions of the person such as chewing and speaking to be negatively affected. In addition to all these, aesthetic concerns may also arise. In this situation, which causes the person to be isolated from social life, prosthetic dental treatment methods come into play.
Basically, different types of prosthesis are applied to replace the lost tooth with prosthetic dental treatments. Prosthesis treatments are applied by prosthodontists, who can be defined as prosthodontists. These physicians, also called prosthodontists, receive training in the department of prosthodontics in addition to dentistry. Prosthodontists, who have a very wide treatment area, deal with intraoral fixed and removable prosthesis applications, as well as supporting this tooth with porcelain crowns after root canal treatment.
Today, the science of prosthetic dentistry, which is also defined as aesthetic dentistry, sometimes works with other dentistry specialties such as orthodontics in a multidisciplinary approach. Prosthodontists, or prosthodontists, basically deal with replacing the damaged or lost tooth with prosthesis applications. At this point, it is important that the prosthesis to be preferred is determined according to the needs of the patient and that the prosthesis is the same size and color as the natural teeth. Prosthetic dental treatments are often also known as aesthetic dental treatment, due to the use of prosthetic teeth instead of existing tissue. At this point, although the aesthetic appearance is very important, the main thing in the treatment of prosthetic teeth is to regain the chewing and speaking skills of the person.
Undesirable results such as not making some sounds during speech or biting the cheeks may occur due to incorrect applications for aesthetics. Therefore While the lost tooth is regained with prosthesis applications, aesthetic concerns, especially functionality, are also eliminated. In cases where all teeth are lost, total dentures are still applied by prosthodontists.
Who Is Applied to Prosthetic Dentistry?
Prosthetic dental treatment is mostly applied to patients who are late for treatment. Thus, the lost tooth or teeth can be regained with different types of prosthesis. Prosthetic treatment methods make the person feel better in terms of function and aesthetics. While the chewing and speaking function is restored to the person, it is ensured that the person feels good in terms of comfort and aesthetics. In this sense, prosthetic dental treatments are one of the important branches of dentistry. The materials used in prosthetic dental treatment are in a wide range.
What are the Types of Prosthesis Used in Prosthetic Dentistry?
Although fixed and removable prostheses are generally used for prosthetic dental treatment, implant-supported prostheses can also be evaluated within this scope:
- Fixed Prostheses: Fixed prostheses are a type of prosthesis made with support from existing healthy teeth or implants. These prostheses are fixed in the mouth with different chemicals. Some of the commonly used fixed prosthesis types can be listed as follows:
- Crown: Crown, also known as veneer among the people, can be defined as the removal of the factors that disrupt the integrity of the teeth caused by large caries and tooth fractures. Thus, the integrity of the person's teeth is preserved and the functionality of the tooth is restored. In addition, the gaps between the teeth can be closed with a crown. Crown applications are made by reducing the tooth a little and fixing the veneer on the tooth.
- Metal Supported Porcelain Veneer: Although the outer part of this type of prosthesis is porcelain, the inside of the veneer consists of metal. Therefore, the light transmittance is low. Therefore, although metal-supported porcelain veneers are aesthetically beautiful, they can create problems in terms of naturalness. It is not recommended to be applied on the anterior teeth of patients with high aesthetic expectations.
- Zirconium Backed Veneer: The light transmittance is high. In this respect, zirconium veneers are the type of veneer that is closest to the natural appearance. In these applications, also known as zirconium supported porcelain veneers, the visible part of the tooth consists of porcelain and the inner part consists of zirconium.
- Ceramic Veneer: Composite lamina or ceramic crown applications do not require much reduction of the tooth. done without. The process performed at this point can be termed as abrasion of the tooth. There is no metal in the lower part of this type of coating. Ceramic coatings are produced from reinforced porcelain. It is known as the most aesthetically advanced coating type. With this aspect, it is frequently used especially for the restoration of anterior teeth.
- Bridge: In the bridge treatment applied in cases where one or more teeth are lost, the healthy teeth next to the existing tooth space are used as bridge pillars. In bridge treatment, which can be done with different techniques such as traditional, winged and suspended, a prosthesis is applied to replace the lost tooth or tooth group. Thus, the functionality and aesthetics lost by the person are restored.
- Implant: Implant is one of the most frequently used prostheses to restore the effects of tooth loss. Different types of prostheses can be placed on implants made by placing an artificial tooth root in the jawbone.
- Moveable Prostheses: Moveable prostheses, also known as palate prostheses, are applied to people who have lost all their teeth for different reasons. With the loss of all teeth, the lips of the person shrink inward. This causes the person to look much older than they are. Also, speech is impaired. Some sounds become impossible to produce.
- Implant Prostheses: This type of prosthesis can be defined as placing fixed or removable prostheses on existing or future implants. No female but i The basic principle in implant-supported prostheses, which can be applied to people with a suitable bone level for the implant, is to ensure the attachment of removable or fixed prostheses.
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