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How do prosthodontists replace missing teeth?
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dentistry
The practice of dentistry involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, as well as correcting deformities of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.
Prosthodontists replace missing teeth and contiguous tissues by designing and placing artificial substitutes known as prostheses. These appliances are categorized based on their attachment method and function:
- Fixed Prostheses: These are stationary appliances, such as crowns, caps, and bridges, which are permanently connected to remaining natural teeth or anchored to the jawbone.123
- Removable Prostheses: These include complete dentures, which replace all teeth in a jaw, and partial dentures, which replace one or more missing teeth and typically rely on remaining teeth for stability.14
- Dental Implants: Prosthodontists may utilize implant dentistry, which involves surgically anchoring titanium fixtures into the alveolar bone to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once healed, these fixtures provide a secure base for attaching replacement teeth.45
The process requires specialized expertise in head and neck anatomy, jaw movement, and material science. Prosthodontists carefully plan each case, which may involve mouth preparation, impression making, and follow-up care to ensure proper function, comfort, and aesthetics.2