What is Prosthetic Dental Treatment?
Prosthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry focused on restoring and replacing teeth that have been partially or completely lost due to various reasons. These procedures aim to restore the patient's aesthetic appearance, chewing function, and speech.
What are Prosthetic Dental Treatments?
Fixed Dentures
Crowns: A crown is a restorative procedure used to preserve the remaining tooth structure when there has been a significant loss of material due to decay, wear, or fracture.
Bridge: A bridge is a type of fixed denture consisting of at least three connected crowns. It is used to replace a missing tooth by cutting and covering the adjacent teeth to support the replacement.
Lamina (Veneer Porcelain): These are aesthetic, leaf-shaped veneers made from ceramic that cover only the front surfaces of teeth. They require minimal (0.5-1 mm) or no preparation of the tooth surface and are known for their thin and delicate structure, requiring precision work from both the laboratory team and the dentist.
Inlay, Onlay, Endocrown (Porcelain Fillings): Porcelain fillings are preferred over composite fillings for repairing tooth loss due to decay or trauma because they offer longer durability and better compatibility with neighboring teeth.
Removable Dentures
Full (Palate) Dentures: These dentures are made of dental resin and are designed for completely edentulous (toothless) oral cavities. They are termed "mobile" because they can be removed.
Partial (Hook) Dentures: These are removable dentures made from a combination of dental alloy and resin, designed to hold and support the remaining teeth. Metal components (commonly referred to as hooks by patients) are used for retention. These dentures offer better retention and stability compared to full dentures and are generally easier for patients to adapt to due to their smaller size.
Precision Attachment (Snap) Dentures: This type of removable partial denture uses precision fittings hidden within the prosthesis, rather than visible metal hooks, to retain the denture. The advantage is improved aesthetics, while the disadvantage is the higher cost and labor-intensive production process.
Implant-Supported Prostheses
Crown, Bridge Cemented: This type of fixed implant-supported denture is adhered to the implant abutment (the part of the implant that supports the denture) using cement.
Crown, Bridge Screwed: In this type of fixed implant-supported denture, the prosthesis is attached to the implant abutment using screws. The advantage over cemented prostheses is that they are easier to repair and remove without damaging the implant. The downside is the higher cost and the need for greater precision during construction.
Overdenture: These are removable dentures supported by implants and used when a fixed prosthesis is not possible due to insufficient bone structure or financial constraints. Typically, 2 implants are used for the lower jaw and 4 for the upper jaw. These are sometimes referred to as "snap prostheses" due to the way they attach to the implants.
Hybrid Prosthesis (All-on-Four): Typically, a minimum of 6 implants for the lower jaw and 7 implants for the upper jaw are recommended for fixed implant-supported dentures. However, in cases where the oral cavity does not permit the placement of sufficient implants, a fixed denture can be created using just 4 implants in a single jaw with specialized techniques. The prosthesis made using this technique, known as All-on-Four, combines dental alloy and dental resin, similar to removable dentures, but is fixed to the implants. This type of denture is called a "Hybrid Prosthesis."
WHAT IS ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?
Root canal treatment involves the removal of the nerve or pulp from under the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth, from both the crown and root. After the pulp tissue is removed, the resulting cavity is filled with canal-filling materials. In simple terms, when the pulp tissue of a tooth becomes damaged or infected (such as in the case of an abscess) due to deep decay or trauma, endodontic treatment (root canal treatment) is performed to save the tooth that cannot be restored by a regular filling.
How is Root Canal Treatment Performed?
The tooth undergoing root canal treatment is first numbed with local anesthesia. The area is then isolated to keep it dry and free from saliva. An access hole is drilled into the tooth to reach the root canal, through which the decayed nerve tissue and pulp are removed. The cleaning process is carried out using root canal files.
These files, of increasing diameter, are inserted into the canal to clear the walls of any infected tissue and bacteria. The canals are washed with various antibacterial solutions after each filing to ensure thorough cleaning. Finally, the root canals, now isolated from blood and saliva, are filled with canal-filling materials, ensuring no leaks or gaps remain that could allow bacterial infiltration.
After Root Canal Treatment
Pain in the treated tooth after root canal treatment is normal and temporary. Sensitivity will decrease over time and eventually disappear. However, if you experience increased pain or swelling, you should consult your dentist.
ORAL, DENTAL, AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
This field involves performing all necessary surgical procedures to ensure that the planned prosthetic treatment remains healthy and aesthetically pleasing in the mouth for a long time. Key procedures include:
Dental Implant Applications Replacement of missing teeth with dental implants. This also involves preparing the bone structure for successful implant surgery using current grafting techniques when bone formation is inadequate. The latest treatment concepts in implant applications, such as All-on-Four and All-on-Six, are performed by experts to ensure the best outcomes.
Pink Aesthetics For an aesthetic smile design, the health and appearance of the gums are just as important as the teeth. Factors such as the color, level, and shape of the gums around each tooth impact gingival aesthetics (often referred to as pink aesthetics) and, consequently, the overall smile. We provide pink aesthetics through advanced treatment techniques, including deep curettage (root planing), gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty, as well as initial treatments such as scaling and oral hygiene motivation, tailored to the patient’s needs.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction The decision to extract wisdom teeth is not made lightly, as our priority is always to preserve as many natural teeth as possible. After a detailed examination, if a wisdom tooth is causing pain, infection, or poses a risk to the health of surrounding teeth that need protection, and if root canal treatment is not viable, we may decide on surgical extraction.
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
A dental implant is a screw-shaped artificial tooth root made of titanium, embedded in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth and mimic natural tooth roots. Titanium's biocompatibility ensures that dental implants integrate well with the bone.
When a tooth is lost, the resulting gap must be filled promptly, as the adjacent and opposing teeth may shift over time, leading to misalignment and a crowded appearance. Dental implants are often the preferred treatment option if the patient's health and financial situation allow, as they not only replace the missing tooth but also prevent jawbone resorption. Compared to traditional bridges and full (palatal) dentures, dental implants offer longer-lasting, healthier results and a more natural appearance.
How is the Surgical Implant Procedure Performed?
The surgical implant procedure, used to restore both the aesthetic and functional loss caused by dental absence, is typically performed under local anesthesia.
Initial Evaluation: The process begins with obtaining a 3D image of the patient's jawbone to assess the quality and quantity of the existing bone in detail. If the bone density and volume are insufficient for implant placement, a bone graft (bone powder) may be applied, and the area is allowed to ossify. This bone healing phase generally takes between 3 to 5 months, depending on the treated area and the amount of graft material used.
Implant Placement: Once ossification is complete, the dental implant is placed in the jawbone. A typical waiting period of 2 to 4 months is necessary for the implant to fully integrate (i.e., fuse) with the jawbone before proceeding to the prosthetic phase. The duration may vary based on the brand of the implant and the specific area being treated. During this waiting period, a temporary partial denture may be used, but this depends on the success of the implant surgery and the patient's overall health, which may impact healing.
Healing Caps and Final Restoration: After the integration period, the implant site is reopened with a second minor surgical procedure, during which healing caps are placed. These caps shape the gum, making the prosthetic tooth appear as if it emerges naturally from the gum line. The caps are worn for 7-10 days. The final step is the installation of the permanent denture. After the dental implant procedure, the patient will have stronger and healthier teeth, improving both function and aesthetics.