What is dental prosthetics?

Dental prosthetics refers to the branch of dentistry that deals with the creation, design, and fitting of artificial teeth or tooth replacements and other oral prostheses. Dental prosthetics procedures are aimed at restoring normal oral function, improving facial aesthetics, and enhancing the patient's quality of life.

There are different types of dental prosthetics that can be used to replace missing or damaged teeth or structures, including dental implants, dentures, bridges, and crowns. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for the placement of artificial teeth. Dentures are removable appliances that are used to replace multiple teeth or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Dental bridges are fixed prostheses that are anchored to the remaining natural teeth or dental implants adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function.

Dental prosthetics typically involve a multi-step process that includes an initial consultation, dental impression, fabrication of the prosthetic appliance, fitting and adjustment, and follow-up visits to ensure optimal comfort and function. Advanced technology, such as computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, has greatly improved the precision, speed, and quality of dental prosthetics procedures, allowing for more accurate and durable restorations.