Dental implants may be used to replace single or multiple teeth. A dental implant is surgically placed in the jaw bone. Once it is healed and integrated into the bone, it essentially acts as an anchor. A crown, bridge, partial denture or complete denture can be attached to these anchors allowing optimum function and appearance to be restored without damaging natural teeth. State-of-the-art technology makes it possible for these implant-supported replacement teeth to look, feel and function like natural teeth.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve the overall appearance of teeth that are worn, chipped, misaligned, stained or discolored. They are a metal-free, minimally invasive procedure to completely transform a person’s smile. The procedure is generally completed in two office visits. At the first appointment, teeth are reshaped to make space for the veneers. At the second appointment, the veneers are bonded in place giving a completely new set of beautiful, healthy teeth.
Dentures are removable prostheses made to replace natural teeth that have been lost due to accident or disease. When there are no remaining teeth, a complete denture will restore function and esthetics. If there are some teeth remaining, then a partial denture can be made to fit around the remaining teeth.
Many patients experience difficulty wearing conventional dentures because of poor stability and decreased chewing function. The use of dental implants can help improve the stability and retention of dentures.
Crowns (caps) are coverings that encase the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Crowns are indicated for teeth with very large fillings, teeth that have had root canal treatment, fractured teeth, discolored teeth or misshapen teeth.
Bridges are a replacement for missing teeth. A bridge basically consists of two or more crowns on natural teeth that are attached to an artificial tooth called a pontic. Structurally sound teeth are required on either side of the missing tooth or teeth. The bridge is cemented to the prepared teeth and cannot be removed. Similar to veneers, crowns and bridges are generally completed in two office visits.
Prosthodontists are specially trained to treat complicated dental conditions involving extreme teeth wear, extensive damage to teeth and multiple missing teeth. Prosthodontists are oral architects, planning and coordinating treatment with a mulit-disciplinary team comprising of General Dentists, Orthodontists, Endodontists, Periodontists and Oral Surgeons. Depending on the complexity, prosthodontic treatment includes a combination of crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers and/or dentures.