Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth through the use of prosthetic devices such as crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures and dental implants. The aim of prosthodontics is to restore chewing function, clear speech and the aesthetic appearance of the smile, helping to improve the patient’s quality of life.
The Doctor White Clinic stands out for its personalized approach, tailoring each treatment to the specific needs of patients. Choosing the right treatment depends on the specific needs of each patient and the dentist’s assessment.
Prosthodontics comprises several branches, each with a specific role in dental treatment and rehabilitation. Each of these branches plays an essential role in ensuring the functionality, esthetics and oral health of patients. Here are the main branches of prosthodontics:
- Fixed prosthetics: inlays, onlays, overlays, crowns and bridges
- Mobile prosthodontics: full and partial dentures
- Prosthetics on implants: dentures fixed on dental implants
- Mixed prosthetics: combines elements of fixed and mobile prosthetics
- Aesthetic prosthetics: veneers, ceramic crowns or other aesthetic restorations
- Full oral rehabilitation: complex treatments combining multiple techniques and procedures from fixed, removable and implant-supported prosthodontics
Consequences of tooth loss
The loss of a single tooth can cause significant changes to the remaining teeth, jaw bones, muscles and temporomandibular joint. Throughout life, teeth move to find stability through contact with neighboring and antagonistic teeth on the opposite arch. When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth try to compensate for the gap by leaning towards the edentulous area and by erupting the antagonist into the gap. These changes in position of the remaining teeth can lead to:
- Occlusal and joint problems and chewing disorders due to abnormal contacts.
- Postural disorders that can cause pain in the head, neck and limbs.
- Periodontal problems, including gum inflammation and periodontal disease.
- Increased sensitivity and caries susceptibility of remaining teeth.
Doctor White Clinic performs the following Types of Prosthodontics:
eMax ceramic veneers
Dental veneers are thin layers of material, most commonly ceramic or composite, that are applied to the surface of teeth to improve the aesthetics of your smile. They are used to correct various imperfections such as stained, chipped, misshapen teeth or unsightly gaps between teeth. The procedure for veneers is minimally invasive, requiring only a small amount of enamel to be removed from the tooth surface.
After tooth preparation, the veneers are fixed with a special adhesive, ensuring a long-lasting bond. eMax ceramic veneers are among the most popular because of their perfect combination of strength and aesthetics. These veneers have a strength of 360-400 MPa, excellently imitating the natural tooth and offering a wide range of colors and translucency levels.
Benefits of eMax veneers:
- Natural and aesthetic appearance
- High fracture resistance
- Perfect adhesion, both physical and chemical
- Can be used with or without preparation
Dental crowns
Crowns are dental restorations that completely cover or wrap around a damaged or decayed tooth. They are used to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength and appearance.
Doctor White Clinic makes crowns from various materials such as metal-ceramic, ceramic (eMax), zirconia (ZrO2)
What is a metal-ceramic crown?
This type of dental crown has a metal framework, to which the ceramic layer is then added for a look close to the natural tooth.
The metal framework is thin, hard and fits perfectly on the impression of the polished tooth. It is made of an alloy of metals compatible with dental ceramics. The applied ceramic layer is usually 1.5mm – 2 mm and is strong enough to withstand the forces produced during chewing.
What is an eMax ceramic crown?
eMax crowns are made entirely of ceramic, without a metal support. This type of dental restoration is preferred because of its natural appearance and ability to perfectly mimic natural teeth. The ceramics used in eMax crowns are very strong and offer a transparency similar to that of natural teeth, making them ideal for esthetic restorations, especially in the front of the teeth. In addition, eMax crowns are biocompatible, which means that they are well tolerated by gum tissues and do not cause allergic reactions.
The main material used in eMax crowns is lithium disilicate, a type of ceramic known for its strength and durability. Lithium disilicate is an advanced material that offers a unique combination of aesthetics and functionality. It is highly resistant to fracture and wear, making it ideal for dental crowns. In addition, lithium disilicate has a natural transparency, which allows eMax crowns to blend seamlessly with natural teeth, providing a great aesthetic appearance.
What is a zirconia crown?
Zirconia dental crowns have become very popular in recent years for good reasons: their high strength and natural-looking appearance. It is made of zirconium oxide, a material that brings many benefits to a dental crown: natural white color, tooth-like appearance; high hardness; high fracture resistance; no corrosion reaction (does not react with the moist environment of the oral cavity – NO gray line at the junction of the crown and the gingiva); no thermal conductivity (no sensitivity to hot or cold);
In addition, zirconia is a biocompatible material, it is very well tolerated by the human body, there are no allergic reactions. Another peculiarity of zirconium dental crowns is the limitation of bacterial build-up, even in those patients who are prone to develop a higher amount of bacterial plaque and tartar.
Of all types of dental crowns, zirconia is the strongest and the longest lasting. They tolerate high masticatory forces excellently and have the lowest risk of fracture. Thus, zirconia crowns are recommended for front teeth, but especially for molars and premolars, where the chewing force is stronger (and the chances of a regular crown fracturing are higher).
Incrustation (Inlay, Onlay, Overlay)
Inlays are laboratory-made indirect restorations used to repair teeth that have suffered moderate to severe damage.
When the surface of teeth, especially premolars and molars, is damaged due to various causes (wear, decay, accidents, etc.), the specialist may recommend a dental incrustation. In practical terms, the aim of dental incrustations is to restore the function of the affected tooth. Therefore, dental incrustations are produced using durable materials, which are molded (cast) according to the size of the tooth and the space to be restored. They are also molded to mimic the natural surface of the treated tooth and do not extend beyond the edges of the crown.
Advantages :
- Perfectly restore tooth shape and contact points with neighboring teeth
- Protects the interdental papilla from chewing pressure
- Longer lasting than a traditional filling
- Teeth can be more easily sanitized
- Minimal risk of secondary caries
- Lasting aesthetic effect
- The color does not change over time.
What is the difference between Inaly, Onlay and Overlay?
The difference between the 3 types of incrustations lies in the surface area of the tooth they cover, and therefore also in the thickness of the incrustation.
- Inaly: It is placed between, but not enclosing, the cusps of a molar. This type of incrustations only partially covers the chewing surface of the tooth.
- Onlay: It is placed over the entire masticatory surface, also substituting the cusps of molars and premolars. It is used when tooth destruction is more severe.
- Overlay: The most extensive type of incrustations, it covers the entire occlusal surface of posterior teeth, but also partially reconstitutes the lateral walls of the tooth.
Dentures
A denture is a structure that can be used to replace one or more teeth or to completely restore a tooth row.
What types of dentures are currently available?
