Dental Prosthesis

Types of Dental Prosthesis

1. Dental crown

A dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, and function. Crowns tend to be good long-term solutions for teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or worn down. However, teeth that require a significant amount of restoration are at much higher risk for failure, so it’s best to speak to our dentists to see if you’re a suitable candidate.

At Elements Dental, the materials for our crowns are usually zirconia, emax or gold. Our dentists will recommend one that best fits you during your consultation visit. Typically a crown should last you 5 to 15 years, or even longer if maintained properly. You should brush and floss a tooth with a crown as you would any other tooth.

For crown treatments with us, two appointments would typically be required, after the initial consultation.

• The first appointment involves preparing your tooth to accommodate the crown by making necessary adjustments. If there are cavities or significant damage to the tooth, fillings will be needed. This step is crucial, as ensuring the tooth is properly shaped before the crown is placed is vital for a correct fit. If the tooth isn’t filed down properly, it could cause misalignment of your bite. An improper bite can result in enamel wear, as well as pain and stress on the jaw joints. A digital scan of your tooth will then be taken and sent to our lab for the crown to be made. Finally, a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth to keep it in position. This appointment typically lasts 90 minutes or more.
• The second appointment will be to fit in the final crown, and will usually require 30 to 40 minutes.

2. Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance, such as the colour and shape. Your teeth need to be in relatively good health to support a veneer, and if maintained properly, they typically last between 10 to 15 years.

For veneer treatments with us, two appointments would typically be required, after the initial consultation. Our dentists will first discuss your desired shade and overall outcome. A scan will then be taken after some adjustments are made to your tooth, while will then be sent to our lab for fabrication of the veneer. If a very specific shade is preferred, a shade matching appointment with our lab may be arranged.

When the veneer is ready, you will be requested to return to our clinic for the fitting, and any adjustments may also be made then.

3. Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. At Elements Dental, we offer 2 types of dental bridges.

• Conventional bridge

Consists of an artificial tooth, called a pontic, that is anchored to the adjacent natural teeth, known as abutments. The adjacent teeth are prepared by removing some of their enamel to allow for the placement of crowns that will hold the pontic in place. This bridge is designed to fill the gap left by missing teeth, while restoring function and appearance. For this method, healthy adjacent teeth are needed to support the bridge, and it’s important to note that proper care is essential to maintain the health of both the bridge and the remaining teeth.

• Resin bonded bridge

Also known as a Maryland bridge, this is a conservative approach compared to a conventional bridge, as it only requires minimal preparation on the inner surfaces of the neighbouring healthy teeth, which helps preserve more of the natural tooth structure.The pontic is attached to a thin metal or porcelain framework that is bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.This type of bridge is typically recommended for front teeth, where less chewing pressure is placed on the bridge.

For both bridge treatments with us, two appointments would typically be required, after the initial consultation, similar to the procedure for crowns.

4. Dental Implant

Another option to replace missing teeth will be dental implants. Implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once the implant integrates with the bone, a crown is placed on top. Implants require sufficient bone density in the jaw to support the implant, otherwise bone grafting might be recommended. A thorough evaluation through taking a 3D CBCT x-ray is necessary to determine eligibility. Implants are a long-term solution that preserves bone density and provides a natural feel and function. Since they don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support, implants prevent further damage to neighboring teeth and help preserve the structure of the jawbone.

For implant treatments with us, four to six appointments would typically be required, after the initial consultation.

• The first appointment is a surgical procedure, where our dentist will place the titanium implant into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. This appointment will usually take 90 minutes or less.
• The second appointment 2 weeks later will be for a review and to remove the stitches.This appointment will take 20 minutes.
• The third appointment will be arranged three to four months later, and varies by patient. Some may require it, while others may have this step completed during the initial surgery. In this appointment, a small incision is made in the gums to expose the implant, and a healing cap abutment is attached. This appointment will usually take 40 minutes.
• The fourth appointment 2 weeks later will be for a review and to remove the stitches.This appointment will take 20 minutes.
• The fifth appointment will be to do a digital scan of the area, and we’ll send this to our lab to fabricate the implant crown. This appointment typically takes place three to four months after the first or third appointment, depending on what our dentist advises. This appointment will take 30 to 40 minutes.
• The final appointment, scheduled two weeks later, will involve fitting the implant crown onto the abutment. This appointment will take around 40 minutes.

5. Dentures

Dentures are removable prosthetics used to replace missing teeth. Full dentures replace all teeth in an arch, while partial dentures replace only some teeth.Dentures require accurate impressions of the gums and remaining teeth for proper fit. If you are missing several teeth, your dentist will need to assess the overall health of your gums and remaining teeth.Dentures help restore function and aesthetics, but they can place additional pressure on the gums and remaining teeth, leading to potential bone loss over time if not properly maintained.

To fabricate a denture, usually three to four appointments are required, after the initial consultation.

• First appointment will be to confirm the type of dentures you’re making, and we’ll take an impression of your mouth. We’ll send your records to our lab to start making the denture. This appointment will take around 40 minutes.
• The second and third appointments are usually a few weeks apart, to try in the wax model or a temporary denture. Our dentist will check for fit, bite alignment, and overall comfort. Adjustments are made if necessary. The appointments will take about 30 minutes each.
• Final appointment will be to issue the denture, usually two weeks after the previous appointment. Our dentists will also advise on how to care for the dentures, including cleaning techniques and storage. The appointment will take about 30 minutes.

Adapting to a new denture may take time, with common adjustments including difficulty speaking, which can improve with practice, and eating, which should begin with soft foods and gradually progress. Initially, the denture may feel awkward, and you may experience excess saliva and minor irritation as your muscles and tissues adjust. If soreness or discomfort persists, it’s important to visit your dentist for further adjustments. Over time, these issues typically improve as you become more accustomed to wearing the denture.

Benefits of Dental Prosthesis

Dental Prosthesis offers numerous benefits, such as restoring the function and appearance of teeth, improving speech, chewing, and overall oral health. Prosthesis helps maintain facial structure by preventing bone loss, which can occur after tooth loss. They also enhance your self-confidence by providing a natural-looking smile. Additionally, they can prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment, preserving oral function. For individuals with missing or damaged teeth, prosthetics provide a long-term, reliable solution, reducing discomfort and improving quality of life. Overall, dental prosthesis contributes to both physical and emotional well-being.

Dental Prosthesis FAQs