Dental problems are common, and every one of us may require to visit a dentist in our lifetime for our dental problems. You might have heard of various dental procedures, but are you aware of the prosthodontic services and their different branches that deal with dental issues? Let us have a look at them individually.

What are Prosthodontics and their services? 

Prosthodontics services primarily involve the diagnosis and treatment of dental issues. It deals with designing and implementing artificial replacements for missing teeth. The restoration process uses crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures as prostheses that may be removable or fixed, or can be supported. Restoring or replacing missing or damaged teeth has various underlying reasons. Gaps in your smile due to missing teeth are embarrassing and can cause dental problems like alignment issues, bone loss, and problems with eating and speaking. Understanding different prosthetic options are essential to help you achieve optimal oral health and smile confidently.

Prosthodontics is a broad specialty involving the following services:- Considered a gold standard procedure for tooth replacement. As the name suggests, 

• Fixed Prosthodontics -

Deals with restoring teeth using dental prostheses fixed into the patient's mouth. The teeth restoration is carried out via crowns, bridges, inlays, implants, and veneers, which are made in a laboratory after impressions (molds). It is also referred to as indirect restorations that can be used to restore relatively small spaces between the teeth.

• Removable Prosthodontics - 

This branch of prosthodontics is concerned with removable prosthodontics like Partial or complete dentures that replace missing tooth or teeth. The procedure can be used to replace single teeth (partial dentures) or all the missing teeth (full dentures). They may be solely made of plastic or metal and plastic.

• Maxillofacial Prosthodontics-

This branch Involves rehabilitating patients with congenital or acquired defects in the mouth or face. These defects are usually related to the cleft lip and palate of the mouth, Pinna, Nose, Eye, and chin. The fabricated prosthesis designed helps fill the defects. Maxillofacial Prosthodontics uses prostheses such as Speech bulbs, palatal lifts, obturators, and Palatal augmentation devices. Highly skilled Maxillofacial prosthodontists carry out the procedure with advanced training in complex oral rehabilitation. The overarching principle of this branch is to improve the patients' quality of life. 

• Implant Prosthodontics- 

This branch deals with the use of dental implants. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots made up of titanium or titanium alloys. Dental implants are stable, rigid screw or cylinder-like structures that provide a bridge, denture, or maxillofacial prosthesis retention or support. Dental implants have a high success rate and greater patient satisfaction.

Prosthodontic treatments involve a series of procedures and are not just one treatment. It deals with different kinds of restorative dental treatments. To learn more about prosthodontic treatments, try consulting a dentist on MyDentalPlan platform, which has India's largest network of Dentists. 

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.