All You Need To Know About Specialized Prosthetic Rehabilitation
Medical science has made immense progress in the last few years and dentistry is also not an exception. Several new techniques and measures have been introduced in the field of dentistry.
Therefore, you can now seek treatments for almost all sorts of dental problems. Be it a minute problem like decay and bleeding gums or it is age-related dental issues, you can now consult a dentist in Delhi NCR, Noida, Vaishali for curing the condition.
You may like to know that advanced dental treatment like specialized prosthetic rehabilitation is also available at many dental clinics in Delhi NCR. Thus, you can retain your naturally beautiful smile even at an old age.
What is specialized prosthetic rehabilitation?
Specialized prosthetic rehabilitation or prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry focusing on the dental prostheses.
The American Dental Association has recognized it among the nine specialty treatments available in the field of dentistry.
According to the ADA, this treatment procedure includes different steps like a diagnosis of the condition, treatment of the cause, planning, rehabilitating as well as maintaining oral function, appearance, comfort, and health of the patient.
Benefits of availing prosthetic rehabilitation
It is quite evident that specialized prosthetic rehabilitation involves a significant amount of cost. However, it is worth the money as you get multiple benefits from the treatment.
Complete replacement of the lost or damaged teeth is among the significant benefits of this treatment procedure. Apart from that, it helps in checking bone loss from the other teeth by reducing pressure on them.
Prosthetics also assist in supporting the partial dentures and ensure the better dental health of the patient. Last but not the least, dental prosthetics keep the jaw line intact, which means there is no change in the facial expression of the user while talking or smiling.
People who have opted for prosthetic rehabilitation also speak about its aesthetics and how it has helped in regaining their self-confidence.
Treatment duration and treatment procedure involved
As it has been already said that specialized prosthetic rehabilitation of teeth includes several steps, it is quite evident that it will be a bit time-consuming process.
Depending on the condition of patient’s teeth, the treatment procedure may last for several months. However, for the exact time duration of your treatment, it will be better to schedule an appointment with a dentist and get your oral health examined.
Though the period for the completion of dental treatment varies from one patient to other, some of the standard practices remain the same for all.
Therefore, before proceeding more in-depth into the treatment procedure, it will be better for you to check out the necessary steps related to the treatment.
Crowning–
This forms one of the essential steps of prosthetic dental rehabilitation and plays an enormous role in determining the final results.
Crowning refers to the process of covering the damaged tooth with a dental crown or a cap resembling the shape of a tooth.
Once the crowns are fixed into the affected region, it completely covers the visible part of the teeth and protects it from further damage.
Apart from restoring the shape, size, and strength of any damaged tooth, the cover is used for improving its appearance. Depending on your budget as well as preferences, you can now find different types of dental crowns.
It is always better to go for the complete ceramic crowns or the metal-ceramic crowns.
Before selecting any dental crown for yourself, it will be better for you to note that metal, ceramic crowns have been favorite among the dentists for years and are often considered to be the standard option.
These crowns have metal as the base metal, while ceramic is used for covering it.
Metal crowns not only have an excellent aesthetic effect on the patient but also it is resistant to wear and tear, making it a long-lasting solution for any user.
Though the metal-ceramic crowns have gained maximum popularity, you can consider about the full ceramic crowns as well. With a zirconium base and ceramic layer, these crowns are known for their brilliant aesthetics.
Thus, if you feel that crowning will dampen your look, you can certainly go for this option.
Dental Bridges-
While crowning is often considered to be synonymous with specialized prosthetic rehabilitation, there are several other processes included in this treatment.
Dental bridges are among them. As the name says, this treatment procedure is used for bridging the gaps between missing teeth.
The bridge for filling the missing tooth or teeth is made by using two crowns on both sides of the teeth. The crowned teeth are referred as abutment teeth and the false tooth or teeth, that is placed in the gap is called pontics.
The pontics for replacing the missing teeth can be used by teeth made of porcelain, alloys and even gold. It depends on the budget and choice of the user. Whatever be the material used for dental bridges, it needs to be well supported by implants or natural teeth.
Dental bridges though are mostly used for restoring a smile; it makes an immense effect on the speaking and chewing process. The pontics and crowns help in even distribution of pressure while eating, which in turn checks further damage to other teeth.
Dentures-
Not only crowns and bridges but also dentures are used by prosthetic dentists for repairing or replacing damaged teeth of patients.
Dentures refer to the replacements used for missing teeth and can be taken out of the mouth with ease. It can also be put into the right place, once the patient gets habituated to its usage.
Though patients earlier complained of discomfort from dentures, things have changed now, and modern dentures hardly feel like an artificial tooth. Depending on the condition of the patient, dentists may recommend either complete denture or partial denture.
Complete denture-
This is one of the oldest treatments used by the dentists for replacing the missing teeth.
In this procedure, all the teeth are gradually removed from the gum and dentures are inserted after the healing of tissues. Nowadays, many dentists use immediate dentures as well.
Immediate dentures though do not let any patient feel experience the difficulties of losing all teeth; it requires relining of the dentures after a few months. Else, it becomes loose and starts malfunctioning.
Partial denture-
Though complete denture is still in practice, most of the dentists nowadays prefer using partial dentures.
While full dentures need removal of all teeth, partial denture uses metal framework for attaching the crowns to the natural teeth. There is no need to remove all teeth in this treatment procedure, and the dentists take out only those, which are damaged. Partial dentures though are not the same thing as bridges; these are often considered as a removable alternative of dental bridges.
When considering partial denture treatment, it is important to note that the procedure is sub-divided into three different categories, viz. removable partial denture, fixed partial denture and cast partial denture.
Removable partial denture-
This type of denture is considered to be an excellent alternative for fixed implants or bridgework used for replacing any missing tooth or teeth.
Removable dentures generally have the false teeth attached to a pink base. In most of the cases, this is used as a temporary solution for replacing the missing teeth without damaging the others.
However, some patients, who cannot afford the cost of permanent dental implants or bridges may consider this as a permanent solution.
Fixed partial denture-
Unlike the permanent dentures, the fixed ones is comprised of dental implant bridgeworks supported by at least four dental implants.
The number of supporting implants can increase depending on the need of the patient, but it should never go below four. The dental implants are placed in such a way that it works like a natural root and the patient experience a natural feel instead of a cosmetic one.
Cast partial denture-
These dentures have custom fabricated metal framework underlying the substructure.
After fixing the cast metal alloy framework, plastics resembling the color of teeth and gum are added into the structure for offering it a natural look.
Though different other types of dentures are available these days, most of the dentists prefer using partial cast dentures for its slickness, fit, retention, durability as well as strength.
As there are different types of measures involved in the specialized prosthetic rehabilitation of teeth, the time frame for treatment is never the same for every patient. It is not just the treatment procedure, the healing process also at times determines the duration of the treatment.
The cost involved in specialized prosthetic rehabilitation
Specialized prosthetic rehabilitation is generally not considered to be a budget treatment process.
It is quite a lengthy treatment procedure and involves different costs like the consultation fees, the charges for dental examinations, laboratory fees, implant charges, etc.
The value of the treatment can be determined only after examining the oral condition of the patient. More the number of teeth to be replaced, higher are the treatment cost.
Some Do’s and Don’ts to be followed
When investing in dental treatment procedures like crowning or bridging, it is equally important to give importance to oral hygiene. Just getting the damaged teeth replaced or covering it with a crown is not enough. It is necessary to follow some basic dos and don’ts mentioned below:
Do’s
- Give special attention to the prosthetics in the first few weeks, as these are like any other foreign substance in your mouth and may cause inconvenience.
- Try to get the sore spots relaxed as these are common after making such implants.
- Consult a dentist if you need any adjustment of the crowns
- Make sure to clean the dentures on time. Learn about the cleaning and caring teeth of the dentures from your dentist. Make sure to follow every step carefully or else it might lead to an infection.
- In case of removable dentures, getting them out at night is a recommended practice.
Don’ts
- Don’t prick or irritate the dental implants even if you feel a bit of discomfort in the first few weeks. Always remember, you will need to some time to get adjusted with the crowns and pricking them may lead to serious infection. It may also lead to the removal of the implants.
- Don’t try to remove the dental crowns or bridges on your own. It can damage the implants permanently.
- Don’t compromise with the basic steps of oral hygiene.
Some common questions related to specialized prosthetic rehabilitation
Prosthetic rehabilitation is a comparatively new treatment procedure, and it is quite obvious for patients to have different queries connected to it. Before popping up any question to your dentist, it will be ideal for you to learn about some of the commonly asked questions in this regard.
What is prosthetic rehabilitation?
It is a treatment procedure for replacing a damaged tooth. It is not a natural tooth and will not help in getting back the damaged teeth in original shape.
Who can undergo this treatment?
Almost anyone with damaged or missing teeth can undergo this type of treatment procedure. However, in some exceptional cases, dentists might have to refrain from applying implants.
Where can I get prosthetic rehabilitation of my teeth?
Prosthetic rehabilitation is a specialized type of dental treatment and can be performed only by the prosthodontist, who have been trained for the job. Therefore, just visiting any dental clinic may not serve your purpose. In case, you cannot find a reputed prosthodontist; you can visit a local dental clinic for recommendations.
Is it possible to get insurance cover?
The cost of prosthetic implants is often quite high. All insurance policies may not cover this cost. Therefore, before getting the treatment, it is advised to learn the cause and insurance coverage policies.
Are dental implants permanent solutions to missing teeth?
With proper care and timely consultation with dentists, dental implants can last a lifetime. As these are not natural teeth, these do not get damaged with time.