When We Use Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is a type of dentistry that uses artificial materials to repair, replace, support, or improve your teeth and other tissues in and around the mouth. This means that it’s the type of dentistry we’ll use in most restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Prosthodontic procedures we offer include:
- Porcelain veneers
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures
- Dental implants
- All-on-4 dental implants
In addition, we utilize prosthodontics in conjunction with other types of procedures for:
- Smile makeovers
- Full-mouth reconstructions
Utilizing prosthodontics in these procedures helps deliver attractive, functional, and long-lasting results.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most powerful prosthodontic tools in cosmetic dentistry. These slim facades of advanced ceramic can be attached to your teeth to give them a beautiful new visible surface. With porcelain veneers, dentists can straighten, lengthen, repair, reshape, and whiten teeth simultaneously. The results can look beautiful, feel comfortable, and function just like natural teeth. Plus, when properly placed and maintained, quality veneers will likely last 10-15 years, sometimes more!
Fillings
Dental fillings fill cavities caused by oral bacteria. We use two different types of fillings, both of which are attractive and tooth-colored. Composite fillings start as a putty that our restorative dentists will spread into the cavity. A curing light turns the filling hard, and a quick polish gives them a tooth-like luster. These work great in small cavities and can last for a long time, though they’re vulnerable to staining.
Ceramic fillings are custom-made to fit into your prepared tooth. Your dentist can make these while you wait with CEREC, which carves them out of a solid ceramic block chosen to match your teeth perfectly. Ceramic fillings, also known as inlays and onlays, are even more attractive, work for larger cavities, and can be very long-lasting, even on the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Crowns
Dental crowns are ceramic sheaths or caps that slide over your natural teeth, giving them an entirely new surface. Your dentist will use them when your tooth is weakened or vulnerable and needs protection and support. Like veneers, these restorations will likely last 10-15 years when properly cared for.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge lets us replace one or more teeth. A traditional dental bridge is supported by your natural teeth and is still sometimes used to replace a single missing tooth. In this approach, a dental bridge consists of one replacement tooth attached to dental crowns. These crowns fit over your natural teeth to support the replacement tooth.
If you need to replace more than one tooth, we can still use a dental bridge, but we will probably support it with dental implants.
Dentures
Technically, “dentures” refers to any type of replacement tooth. However, most of the time, we use the term to refer to removable replacement teeth. Partial dentures replace one or more teeth–but less than a full arch. They are supported by your gums and held in place by your natural teeth.
Full dentures replace all the teeth in an arch–either the top or bottom teeth. Your gums support full dentures, and suction holds them in place.
We can use dental implants to support your dentures. Removable implant dentures are more comfortable and functional than traditional dentures. Fully secured implant dentures can be even better.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots. Most often made of titanium, these roots bond to your jawbone to provide the most functional tooth replacements. With proper care, they’re also very long-lasting. You can have them for the rest of your life, even if you live for 40 or 50 years after getting them.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
This powerful prosthodontic approach can replace a full arch of teeth with just four dental implants. It also lets you get your replacement teeth the same day as your dental implant surgery. You’ll leave our office with a full smile that will be fully functional as soon as you heal from the surgery.
Smile Makeovers
A smile makeover is a custom-designed combination of dental procedures to give you the beautiful smile you want. It can restore a smile damaged by age, decay, or trauma or give you the beautiful new smile of your dreams. Modern prosthodontics lets us help almost anyone get a beautiful smile.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
If your teeth need more than cosmetic improvement, you might seek full mouth reconstruction. This repairs the visible damage to your teeth and helps restore their function. This can even help treat bite problems like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD).
Prosthodontic Expertise
Many dental practices in the Houston area offer prosthodontics. At Stephens & Gatewood, our dentists have outstanding expertise that helps them deliver the high-quality results you deserve.
Among our dentists is the prosthodontist Dr. Neimar Sartori, who works in our Cypresswood office. A prosthodontist is a specialist in prosthodontics, with more training than general dentists in this area than is offered in basic dental school. In addition, Dr. Sartori has produced groundbreaking research that has advanced our understanding of achieving optimal results with bonded restorations like veneers and crowns.
But you don’t have to just accept our word about the quality of our work. Check out some of our patients’ extensive testimonials and reviews to see how happy people are with the results we achieved for them.
Looking for Prosthodontics?
If you’re looking for cosmetic or restorative dentistry in Houston, Stephens & Gatewood has the expertise to deliver the high-quality results you demand.
Want to learn how we can help you achieve the smile you’re looking for? Please call (281) 320-2000 or use our online form to request an appointment at either of our locations in the Houston area: Cypresswood or Auburn Lakes.