When seeking Prosthodontic or prosthetic dentistry there needs to be a focus on the diagnostic and planning phase of each individual’s needs to rehabilitate oral and dental function for everyday comfort and self-confidence. Missing teeth, damaged teeth, and other oral conditions caused by trauma or medical conditions affect the quality of everyday life, whether for social reasons or simply being able to enjoy a simple meal in comfort.
When someone suffers from conditions that require prosthetic dentistry, you need an expert with experience and training to restore and replace teeth with high-level techniques, materials, and lab support. These services include crowns, veneers, bridges, full or partial dentures, dental implants, and complex full-mouth reconstructions.
As a dentist focused on prosthodontic dentistry since the early 1990s, Dr. Phillippe Freeman in Bend, Oregon, has extensive experience and training in prosthodontics and other aspects of advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry. He has helped countless people from all over the state of Oregon and other states in the country who travel to beautiful Bend, Oregon, for his expertise.
Why Prosthodontics Matters
Prosthodontics is an essential branch of dentistry because it addresses many common dental problems that can negatively impact a person’s oral health, function, and self-confidence. Some of the conditions that prosthodontics can help to treat or manage include:
Missing teeth: Whether due to injury, decay, or other reasons, missing teeth can make it difficult to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Prosthodontic dentistry can create custom-made dental prostheses that replace one or more missing teeth and restore oral function and aesthetics.
Worn, damaged, or decayed teeth: Teeth that are chipped, cracked, shortened by years of wear, or decayed can cause pain, sensitivity, and other oral health problems. Prosthodontic dentistry can use various techniques and materials to restore damaged teeth and prevent further deterioration.
Jaw or bite problems: A misaligned bite or other jaw problems can affect how a person eats, speaks, and sleeps. Prosthodontic approaches to these problems can diagnose and treat jaw and bite issues using orthodontic appliances, dental prostheses, or other therapies.
Cosmetic concerns: Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth or smile for many different reasons. Prosthodontic dentistry can provide cosmetic dentistry services, such as teeth whitening, veneers, and other treatments, to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile and boost their self-esteem.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, the overall system of someone’s “bite” and function are carefully considered. It is not enough to cover the problem that created the poor esthetics of someone’s smile.
The problem that created the worn or chipping teeth needs to be corrected simultaneously, or the cosmetic services will not last. This is the most unfortunate thing we see in our practice every week. “Cosmetic dentistry” that fails within only a few years of service because the mechanics were not understood or addressed by the previous provider.
How Prosthodontics Works
Prosthodontic treatment typically begins with a comprehensive examination and consultation with an expert like Dr. Freeman. During this initial visit, he will review the patient’s dental and medical history, perform a thorough oral examination, and discuss their goals and concerns for their oral health and aesthetics before making any plans.
Based on this information, Dr. Freeman will develop a personalized treatment plan that may involve one or more types of dental prostheses, services, or therapies. The treatment plan will take into account the patient’s oral health needs, budget, and lifestyle to ensure the best possible outcome.
Prosthodontic treatment may involve several phases, such as:
Digital mock-ups of the desired prosthetic outcome with digital photography and digital software that can transform someone’s smile without any commitment or harm. This phase also helps determine where the patient thinks the end result should be in how they will look with a new smile and how involved their case may be.
Diagnostic records and Trial Smile. From the digital mock-up and physical models of someone’s teeth, facial and jaw orientation records, photographs of phonetic and smiling positions of the face, and precise instructions from the patient, a physical model is produced via a prosthetic waxing technique. From that, a mold is made so a “trial smile” or real-life mock-up of the desired prosthetic result can be tried in the person’s smile on their teeth. Each step allows the patient to fine-tune their end goal so that when the work begins, the prosthetic design has been approved and proven to work before committing to the final steps.
Preparation: This may involve removing damaged teeth, resolving dental decay, removing older failing “fillings,” preparing the remaining teeth for the appropriate dental prosthesis or other procedures to prepare the mouth for restoration.
Fabrication: The prosthodontist will create a custom-made dental prosthesis, such as crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, or implant restorations, using advanced materials and techniques that ensure a precise fit and long-lasting durability.
Fitting and adjustment: Once the dental prosthesis is ready, the prosthodontist will fit it into the patient’s mouth and make any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal function and comfort.
Maintenance and follow-up: The patient will need to maintain good oral hygiene and schedule regular check-ups with the prosthodontist to ensure the long-term success of their dental health.
