Prosthodontic Options

If you’re reading this blog, we’re thinking it’s safe to assume you know what prosthodontics and prosthodontists are. But let’s at least cover the bases before diving into the prosthodontic options here at Washington State Prosthodontics and Implant Center.

What is Prosthodontics?

According to the American Dental Association, prosthodontics is the dental specialty that relates 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 (jaw and face) tissues using biocompatible substitutes (not harmful to living tissues). WHEW!

A prosthodontist is someone who practices prosthodontics. They are dentists who have additional education and training to specialize in restoring and replacing natural teeth that have been damaged or are simply missing. In fact, prosthodontists are often referred to as the dental implant experts! Before we move on to what your prosthodontic options are here at Washington State Prosthodontics, if you’re still a little unsure of what that means exactly, or have some lingering questions, check out our prosthodontics FAQ page!

Prosthodontic Care in Bellevue

At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, our doctors, Dr. Russell Johnson and Dr. Michael Johnson are two of only a handful board certified prosthodontists in the entire state of Washington, and the ONLY board certified prosthodontists in Bellevue. This means when you pay a visit to our office, you will receive the best care by the most experienced specialists in the area.

At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center we can take care of a simple, routine dental crown or the most complex full mouth restoration. We have a large range of prosthodontic options for patients who are missing one, multiple, or all of their natural teeth, and no matter your needs, we are dedicated to providing you the best treatment in order to give you the smile and confidence you deserve.

Options for One Missing Tooth

Implant Crown:

An implant crown is a form of treatment where a dental crown is placed on top of a dental implant in order to aesthetically and functionally replace a missing tooth. An implant, which is an artificial tooth root made of titanium, is first placed in the patient’s jaw. A crown, which is a type of cosmetic restoration, is then placed as a ‘cap’ on the implant to act as the outer surface of the tooth.

Pros:

  • They don’t damage the neighboring teeth.
  • All teeth remain independent and therefore allow flossing.

Cons:

  • There is a chance of bone loss near the implant.
  • They are somewhat more expensive than a tooth supported bridge.

Tooth Supported Bridge:

A tooth supported bridge is another option to replace a missing tooth. It replaces a missing tooth with an artificial tooth made from gold alloys, porcelain, or a combination of the two materials. The bridge gets support from the surrounding teeth to which it is bonded to. Due to the other teeth being the foundation for the bridge, it is extremely important to keep those existing teeth healthy and strong.

Pros:

  • Does not require surgery.
  • Often less expensive than other treatment options.

Cons:

  • There are risks of damaging the adjacent teeth.
  • Retaining teeth can get cavities which may cause the loss of the bridge.
  • The teeth are joined together.
  • There is more future maintenance needed.

Options for Multiple Missing Teeth

Implant Supported Bridge:

An implant supported bridge is similar to the tooth supported bridge we mentioned above, the only difference is the bridge is not supported by the surrounding teeth, but rather by implants or titanium posts. The number of posts needed for an implant bridge varies depending on the size of bridge needed.

Pros:

  • There is no risk of cavities.
  • No damage is done to the surrounding teeth.

Cons:

  • Surgery is required with waiting periods in between.
  • There is potential that the implants will fail in the future.

Removable Partial Denture:

Removable partial dentures are a natural looking and removable option for the replacement of multiple teeth. They are often considered to be a removable alternative to bridges because the partial dentures are attached to a metal frame which is connected to your natural teeth in order to fill in where there are missing teeth.

Pros:

  • A low cost option.
  • They are typically easy to fix.
  • They are easy to clean due to their removable nature.

Cons:

  • Can cause gum irritation from moving while you chew.
  • Lots of metal needs to be added within your mouth.
  • Have the least chewing power out of all of the options.

Options for Missing All of Your Teeth

Full Dentures:

Full dentures, like partial dentures, are a natural looking and removable option for replacing missing teeth. They are used when all natural have been removed. Typically, conventional dentures will be placed once the gum tissue has healed from the extraction of the remaining teeth which can take several months. There is an option to place full dentures immediately after the remaining teeth have been extracted, however this option will require regular adjustments within the first few months of use.

Pros:

  • Dentures are the most inexpensive option to replace your missing teeth.
  • They are very easy to repair.

Cons:

  • There is an extreme loss of chewing power (50% - 75% loss).
  • Denture movements can cause pain and soreness within your gum tissue.
  • They require relines every 2 to 5 years in order to be refit as needed.

Implant Supported Options:

There are multiple other options for those who are missing all of their teeth including clip retained dentures with implants, implant supported fixed dentures with acrylic and titanium, implant supported fixed dentures with ceramic zirconia, and implant supported fixed bridges with ceramic fused to metal or zirconia. You can read more about the pros and cons of these options here.

The Best Prosthodontics in Bellevue

At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, we really do strive to provide the absolute best prosthodontic services in the Bellevue area. We know the struggle that comes with missing teeth, and we know how critical it is to have the proper treatment options for those missing teeth. Don’t let your dental health and overall health decline because of your missing teeth, give us a call or schedule a consultation today and let us restore your smile!