Prosthodontics

What Is Prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is the creation and placement of dental prosthetics. Our prosthodontists in Boston treat, rehabilitate, and maintain the comfort, health, appearance, and function of damaged or missing teeth. Some of the treatments include dental crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and more.

What Do Prosthodontists Do?

The structure and appearance of your teeth are important. If not taken care of, your teeth can affect your smile and confidence. Dental Partners of Boston prosthodontists offer these services:

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers consist of a compilation of several thin ceramic layers which replace the original tooth enamel, and an adhesive layer. To apply a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed, usually less than a millimeter. This is essential as it creates room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and most accurately restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth. Veneers are a very successful option in many situations where the original tooth has developed poor color, and shape, has been fractured, and for other situations where the tooth position has been compromised.

Partial Crowns, Inlays, & Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are very similar. An inlay restoration is a custom-made filling utilized to repair damage to the tooth’s biting surface. Onlays are used when both the tooth’s biting surface and one or more of the chewing cusps require repair. Inlays and onlays are used in teeth that have been damaged by decay or trauma. They make suitable replacements for fractured older fillings and have the added benefit of being a more conservative treatment approach than crowns because they don’t require much of the tooth structure to be removed. Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay is appropriate when a regular filling will not suffice. Both inlays and onlays are more protective and stronger than a filling.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape, or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. The span of the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutment. Bridges come in different materials and can be decided at the time of the visit.

Dentures

Dentures are removable false teeth that fit snugly over the gums to replace missing teeth. They help with chewing and eliminate potential problems caused by gaps. Dentures should be removed once a day to be cleaned. Dentures can be made of acrylic resin, metal, or a combination of acrylic and metal. When it is no longer possible to keep healthy teeth dentures are a good option and can restore peace of mind and help to achieve a happy smile.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction

As the name implies, mouth reconstruction refers to rebuilding and/or replacing all of the teeth in a patient’s mouth. Full mouth reconstructions combine esthetics with the science of restorative dentistry to improve the health, function, and beauty of the mouth. There are a number of patients who would require a full mouth reconstruction. These patients may exhibit multiple missing teeth, numerous teeth with large fillings that are failing or have decay, cracked or broken teeth, or badly worn teeth due to teeth grinding or other habits.

Complete Smile Makeovers

A Complete Smile Makeover is custom-designed for each patient, depending on their needs, goals, and existing oral and health conditions. A complete smile makeover is not itself a single procedure or a set series of procedures, it’s a combination of pre-selected treatments that vary from patient to patient. Some patients may require extensive reconstructive work while needing veneers combined with other interventions that will target a specific area. A complete smile makeover can include procedures from cosmetic dentistry, gum contouring, dental implants, and others.