Common Prosthodontic Procedures

All treatment options are of course discussed with patients on an individual basis and written treatment plans and estimates are provided.

Dental implants

Please see the Dental Implant FAQ page…

Bridges

When a tooth or teeth are missing, they can be restored by placing crowns on the teeth next to the gap onto which false teeth are fixed. A bridge is cemented in place and cannot be removed by the patient. It should be looked after like natural teeth and the hygienist will demonstrate the use of floss to enable you to look after it correctly.

Bridges are used to:

• Improve appearance
• Improve function and chewing efficiency
• Prevent adjacent teeth from drifting and tilting, and the opposing tooth from growing into the space, causing problems with the bite
• Prevent food impaction which can result in gum disease and future tooth loss
• Improve speech

There are several types of bridge. A conventional bridge can be constructed from metal, porcelain, or a combination of the two. These bridges involve removing tooth tissue, or a previous restoration and replacing it with a crown or inlay. This may be destructive of tooth tissue and can be time consuming. Implants are frequently used as an alternative to bridges to avoid tooth preparation.
A minimal preparation bridge can be used in certain circumstances as an excellent alternative, as it involves attaching the artificial tooth or teeth via a metal plate to the minimally prepared inner surface of adjacent teeth. These can only be used when the adjacent teeth have sufficient intact enamel and when the occlusion (bite) is favourable. These bridges are often referred to as “Maryland”, “Rochette”, “Adhesive” (“sticky”), or “resin bonded” bridges. Minimal preparation bridges have an increased tendency to become detached.
Implant supported bridge. In many situations, a dental implant can support more than one tooth unit. In this case, the bridge is either cemented or screwed to the implants below. The number of implants needed to support the bridge depends on many factors.
There are always many alternatives to restore a missing tooth or teeth. The advantages and disadvantages of the varying options are explained to our patients who are always part of the treatment planning process

Crowns (also known as 'caps')

Crowns are a laboratory-constructed restoration, which covers all or part of a tooth in order to improve both appearance and function. They are used to restore decayed or damaged teeth and also to improve aesthetics. They may be made of porcelain bonded to metal or totally in porcelain. The latter sometimes can be used on front teeth so that they are virtually indistinguishable from their neighbours. A badly broken tooth may need a post fitted into the root of the tooth to give better support to the crown.

Inlays / Onlays

To replace large fillings and fractured teeth, inlays or onlays can be used. These have the advantages of reducing the amount of tooth which has to be cut away, retaining the inherent strength of the tooth. They are tooth coloured and are bonded in place to ensure a good and lasting fit and appearance. Where decay has removed a substantial amount of tooth, yet the tooth does not require a crown, an inlay can provide an excellent long term restoration

Cosmetic Dentistry

Your smile is important. It is one of the first things you notice when you meet someone. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression.
All prosthodontic work should be as aesthetic as possible. It is essential that the patient plays an active part in the treatment, to convey their exact desires and expectations. Crowns, bridges and veneers are prepared in conjunction with the laboratory technicians to analyse the shade, shape and size. We offer a chairside customising service to achieve truly realistic results and meet the individual requirements of our patients.
There is no recognised specialty in Cosmetic Dentistry but smile and aesthetic reconstruction is part of the Prosthodontists training.

Tooth whitening

Tooth whitening is a method to lighten the colour of your teeth. The whitening agent works as a bleach, to break down the stains that have been taken
up by your teeth. This can be provided in the surgery. The whitening gel is applied to your teeth and a light is used to energise the gel. Tooth whitening can also be provided for home use. A customised mouthguard is made in the surgery, and this is given to the patients to fill with the whitening gel at night.
Some courses of treatment will use a combination of in-surgery and home use.
Some people experience increased tooth sensitivity to cold after treatment.
Symptoms usually disappear within 1-3 days after stopping or completion of treatment.
Tooth whitening gel only works on natural teeth and not on any dental restorations.
This needs to be considered when planning for tooth whitening, as restorations may then appear more conspicuous and need to be replaced.
Some patients may need periodic re-bleaching. This is dependent on what caused the tooth staining. Coffee, tea, red wine and cola all cause teeth to stain.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin porcelain facing that is cemented onto the tooth to improve it’s appearance. Veneers are the most effective way to change the colour and/or shape of your front teeth while conserving natural tooth structure. A veneer can be used on one tooth to match the rest of your smile or on your whole smile to transform your appearance.