Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitues.
The treatment options which fall under the prosthetics category are:
- Implant supported restorations can replace one or more missing teeth and are considered fixed (non-removable by the patient except in the case of an implant supported denture)
- Conventional denture is a removable replacement for a patient who is missing all their teeth on an arch
- Conventional partial is a removable replacement for a patient who is missing a few teeth on an arch
- Crown is a fixed prosthetic and covers a tooth that is too badly broken or decayed to be restored with just routine treatment. It is also very important that a tooth that has had root canal therapy also be crowned.
- Bridge is a fixed restoration which can replace one more more missing teeth in a specific area.
