Prosthodontics is a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) that deals with cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and temporomandibular joint disorders.

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has specialized in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing tooth and jaw structures.

A prosthodontist is an expert in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Choose a prosthodontist because of their extensive experience, advanced knowledge, improved efficiency, and their use of advanced technology.

Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and replacement of teeth who have completed dental school plus three additional years of advanced training and education in an ADA-accredited prosthodontic graduate program.

Prosthodontists provide an extremely high level of care to patients with missing teeth or significant damage to their existing teeth. Prosthodontists work with congenital defects as well as problems arising from trauma and neglect.

Prosthodontists are highly trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating many diverse and complex dental conditions and restoring optimum function and esthetics.

These include crowns, bridges, complete and removable partial dentures, dental implants, TMD-jaw joint problems, traumatic injuries to the mouth’s structure and/or teeth, snoring or sleep disorders, and oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care.

Prosthodontists work only with laboratories that demand the finest quality and the most precise work available. The attention to detail and the experience of the lab are important for providing the best for prosthodontists’ patients.

Yes, prosthodontists are trained to treat temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Several treatment options exist and all of these options are conservative and do not produce permanent damage to the teeth. These treatment options include physical therapy and exercise, pharmacologic treatment, and occlusal devices.

A dental laboratory technician is a trained professional that fabricates dental restorations, crowns, bridges, and dentures based on designs and instructions provided by a prosthodontist.

A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.

Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body. As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, making the teeth shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body.

  • Prophylaxis: Dental prophylaxis includes scaling and polishing procedures to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains. Some patients may require more than one prophylaxis every six months depending on the efficiency of their dental home care.
  • Full mouth Debridement: It’s a type of cleaning performed to enable comprehensive periodontal evaluation and diagnosis. The removal of subgingival and/or supragingival plaque and calculus that obstructs the ability to perform an oral evaluation. A re-evaluation is necessary after a month to determine if the patient may need deep cleanings or just regular cleanings.
  • “Deep Cleaning” or periodontal scaling and root planing, per quadrant. This procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. It is indicated for patients with periodontal disease (active bone loss) and is therapeutic, not prophylactic in nature. The placement of localized antibiotic is recommended after a deep cleaning to ensure best results.
  • Periodontal maintenance procedures (following deep cleanings). This procedure is for patients who have completed periodontal treatment and includes removal of the bacterial flora from crevicular and pocket areas, scaling and polishing of the teeth, and a review of the patient’s plaque control efficiency. It is recommended every 3-4 months.

As you can see, there is more than ONE type of cleaning. Only a complete dental evaluation can determine the type of cleaning you need. Your daily oral hygiene, habits, and techniques are key to improve and maintain your periodontal condition

Prophylaxis is an excellent procedure to help keep the oral cavity in good health and also halt the progression of gum disease.

Here are some of the benefits of prophylaxis:

  • Tartar removal – Tartar (calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can cause serious periodontal problems if left untreated. Even using the best brushing and flossing homecare techniques, it can be impossible to remove debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dental hygienist using specialized dental equipment is needed in order to spot and treat problems such as tartar and plaque buildup.
  • Aesthetics – It’s hard to feel confident about a smile marred by yellowing, stained teeth. Prophylaxis can rid the teeth of unsightly stains and return the smile to its former glory.
  • Fresher breath – Periodontal disease is often signified by persistent bad breath (halitosis). Bad breath is generally caused by a combination of rotting food particles below the gum line, possible gangrene stemming from gum infection, and periodontal problems. The removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria noticeably improves breath and alleviates irritation.
  • Identification of health issues – Many health problems first present themselves at a dental visit. Since prophylaxis involves a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity, the hygienist is able to screen for oral cancer, evaluate the risk of periodontitis and often spot signs of medical problems like diabetes and kidney problems. Recommendations can also be provided for altering the home care regimen.