What’s the definition of prosthodontics?
Prosthodontics, a distinct dental specialty, is focused on crafting dental prosthetics (artificial teeth) for damaged or missing teeth. Rooted in 'prostho,' meaning replacement, and 'dontist,' meaning teeth, prosthodontists, specialized dental practitioners, undergo extended training in creating crowns, bridges, dentures, and other restorative solutions, while also adeptly managing TMJ disorders.
Who needs prosthodontics?
Prosthodontics addresses diverse dental concerns. Dentist may recommend a prosthodontist procedure if the patient experiences the following:
- Missing teeth.
- Severely damaged teeth.
- TMJ pain or dysfunction.
- Mouth or facial pain.
- Cosmetic concerns.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
What is a Prosthodontic appliance?
Prosthodontics appliances, whether fixed or removable, come in various types, such as:
- Full and partial dentures.
- Crowns and bridges.
- Oral splints.
- Night guards designed for TMJ disorder and sleep apnea.
What is the difference between a dentist and a prosthodontist?
A general dentist is the primary dental care provider, offering routine check-ups, cleanings, and basic restorative treatments like fillings, crowns, and bridges.
On the other hand, a Prosthodontist is a specialized dental professional. With an additional three years of residency training post-dental school, they focus on crafting teeth replacements, including crowns, bridges, dentures, and more.
For intricate cases beyond the general dentist's scope, they often refer patients to prosthodontists.
What is the difference between orthodontics and prosthodontics?
Orthodontics, a dental branch, is committed to straightening teeth, and this means that Orthodontists specialize in braces, retainers, and clear aligners.
In contrast, Prosthodontics, is a dental field, that concentrates on crafting dental prostheses. Thus, Prosthodontist excel in creating dentures, crowns, bridges, and other personalized oral appliances.
Is Prosthodontics the same as dentures and implants?
No, Prosthodontics denotes the dental field itself. However, dentures and implants are prevalent Prosthodontic procedures. Note that both general dentists and prosthodontists may handle implants and dentures based on their specific areas of expertise.
Procedure Details
What are some examples of Prosthodontics treatments?
Numerous dental treatments fall under the umbrella of Prosthodontics. While a general dentist can provide many of these procedures, for intricate cases or coordinated treatment, they may recommend a prosthodontist for specialized care.
Dental crowns
A dental crown, also known as a "cap," is a meticulous restoration designed to cover and protect a severely damaged tooth. This procedure is commonly recommended for extensive decay, cracked teeth, or post-root canal treatment.
Dental bridges
A dental bridge serves as a solution for one or more consecutive missing teeth. Comprising two crowns and artificial teeth (pontics), this prosthetic is secured by natural teeth, anchoring the crowns and filling the gap, restoring the pateint's complete smile.
Dentures
Dentures come in two primary types: partial and full. Partial dentures address scattered missing teeth, while full dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth. These removable appliances effectively restore both the function and aesthetic appeal of the patient smile.
Inlays and onlays
When a tooth requires more than a filling but less than a crown, inlays or onlays come into play. These personalized restorations seamlessly integrate into the tooth structure of the patient, resembling tiny puzzle pieces for precise and effective restoration.
Dental implants
Dental implants, slender threaded posts crafted from surgical-grade titanium or ceramic, serve as replacement tooth roots. Skillfully inserted into the patient jawbone by dentists, these implants pave the way for Prosthodontics restoration, including crowns, bridges, or dentures once the healing process concludes. For those missing most or all teeth, they can explore the array of removable and non-removable implant-supported options by consulting with their dentist or Prosthodontist to determine the optimal treatment for them.
What are Carbide Burs?
Carbide Burs are dental rotary tools crafted from Tungsten-carbide material, a compound (WC) with equal parts carbon and tungsten atoms. Initially, a fine gray powder, it transforms into various shapes through sintering, finding applications in dental instruments, industrial machinery, cutting tools, chisels, abrasives, armor-piercing shells, and jewelry.
What are Dental carbide burs?
The popularity of tungsten carbide burs in dentistry has surged in recent years due to their excellence in the preparation, adjustment, and cutting of various materials. These dental burs, composed of a super-hard and highly resistant chemical compound, are ideal for precise cutting and drilling. In contrast to diamond burs, carbide dental burs leave a smoother surface rather than a rough one. They come in various types and sizes, distinguished by shank, head, and grit. Among the most sought-after types are inverted cone burs, straight fissure burs, straight fissure cross-cut burs, fissure tapered burs, short fissure burs, zekrya surgical burs, Lindemann burs, metal-cutting dental burs, cross-cut tapered fissure burs, and safe-ended endo burs.
Why choose MR BUR Dental Carbide Burs?
Experience precision and superior finish with MR BUR Dental Carbide burs, crafted in Europe for stringent quality control. These burs offer zero vibration, ensuring optimal performance. Plus, they can endure repeated sterilization without the risk of rusting.
Differences between Carbide and Diamond burs
Diamond and carbide burs vary in precision, durability, and surface roughness. Diamond burs offer greater accuracy and less invasiveness, minimizing the impact on the tooth's inner pulp. Carbide burs are known for durability, longevity, and resistance to heat. Opt for carbide burs for achieving a smoother surface, while diamond burs excel in high-speed grinding tasks like cutting zirconia or ceramic crowns. Learn more about the distinctions between Zirconia and Carbide burs here.
