Department of Prosthodontics

What is a dental crown?

Dental crowns, also referred to as "dental caps," "tooth crowns," or "tooth caps," are dental restorations that cover over and encase the tooth on which they are cemented. Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cup over the portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. In comparison, fillings are dental restorations that fill in or cover over just a portion of a tooth.

Types of crowns include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, and the all-metal crown.

Why do teeth require dental crowns?

When a tooth is fractured, has a large old filling, or is severely damaged by decay, your dentist may recommend the placement of a crown or cap. Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your smile.

A dentist might recommend placing a dental crown for a variety of reasons but, in general, most of these reasons will usually fall within one of the following basic categories:

• To restore a tooth to its original shape.
• To strengthen a tooth.
• To improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.

Clinical Procedure [Dental Crowns]:
In the first appointment the dentist will diagnose and recommend the treatment plan. Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to the dentist’s office.

It is important to note:

1. After the placement of the crown the routine brushing and regular oral hygiene habits have to be practiced.
2. Your dentist will match the crown color to the color of your teeth. If you are considering whitening your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about tooth whitening options before the crown is made. Since bleaching products do not affect the color of crowns, it is important that your natural teeth are whitened first so the dentist can match the crown color to the color of your teeth after they are whitened.

No. Of visits for single crown

Bridges
Few incidents have greater impact on dental health and personal appearance than tooth loss. When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can drift out of position, which can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay, and gum disease. When tooth loss occurs, your dentist may recommend the placement of a bridge. When placing a bridge, the teeth (abutments) on both sides of the space are covered with crowns (caps/retainers), and an artificial tooth (pontic) is attached to the crowns.

Clinical Procedure [Dental Bridges]:

1. Initially, the dentist prepares teeth on each side of the space to receive crowns and makes an impression of the entire area.

2. Fits a temporary or transitional bridge made out of plastic or metal.

3. In a subsequent visit, the dentist removes the temporary bridge, places, adjusts, and cements the fixed bridge.

No of visits for BRIDGE

Removable Partial Dentures 

A removable partial denture is usually made to replace one or more teeth, and is customized to a patient’s specific requirements.

Types of Removable Partial Dentures
A partial denture may be tooth-supported or tooth and tissue supported. There are significant differences between theses two types of dentures. These differences are best explained by your Dentist.

1. Acrylic Partial Denture

The number of teeth remaining, the position and the stability of the teeth are only a few of the factors that help to determine what type of partial denture would be best for you. Partial dentures can be made of different materials, including acrylics, a metal/acrylic combination.

Acrylic partial dentures are usually used as a transitional or temporary replacement of missing teeth, depending on your personal circumstances. The metal/acrylic partial commonly called a cast partial denture is usually a more rigid and permanent style of denture. The metal is either a highly compatible chrome cobalt alloy or titanium, which are both ultra thin, light and very strong. Removable partial dentures are designed to be removable and should be removed at night to contribute to a healthy oral environment.


Benefits of Partial Dentures

1. Partial dentures do not harm remaining natural teeth.
2. A partial denture may prevent your natural teeth from shifting or drifting into the space left by the loss of a natural tooth.
3. In fact, a partial denture may help maintain the position of your natural teeth by providing them with additional support.
4. With a partial denture, you’ll look better, feel better and chew better.

No. of visits for acrylic treatment partial denture

For Anterior replacement

For Posterior replacement

Cast Partial Dentures

This type of partial denture offers numerous advantages over the treatment partial described above.  A close look at the pictures above will show you that these frameworks are cast to fit the teeth. Since they sit on the teeth, as well as being attached to them, they are extremely stable and retentive.  The teeth have been altered slightly beforehand in order that the partial denture can rest upon them without interfering with the way the patient bites the teeth together. 

Modern frameworks are cast from an extremely strong alloy called chrome cobalt which can be cast very thin and are much less likely to break than the all plastic variety.  They are also much less noticeable to the tongue.

No. of visits for Cast Partial Dentures

Note: 1. * includes extractions, fillings, oral prophylaxis, tooth preparation like   rest
seat preparation, guiding planes, crowns etc. and they need additional appointments

Complete Denture

What is complete denture?
When the remaining few teeth are not in good health, i.e.  they are mobile or grossly destroyed due to decay, then the dentist will recommend that you get all your teeth removed. Then the wound is allowed to heal. This may take a period of 2- 3 months. Your dentist will be the right person to tell you if the healing is good enough after examination.

The procedure of fabricating the complete dentures will involve making of impressions of your upper and lower jaws. This means the measurements of your jaws are taken. The details of the procedure are given below in the chart along with the duration of time required for each appointment.

It will be of help to you and the dentist, if you can get your spouse/ friend/ close relative of yours at the 5th visit. It will help you in accepting how the denture would appear finally.

No. of visits for Complete Denture Treatment

Instructions for Denture Use and Care

1. You should wear the dentures for the first 24 hours continuously. Please remove the dentures when eating food, even if it is soft food. You can have water, tea, coffee, juice, soup etc with your dentures. You have to come for checkup after 24 hours of the denture insertion.
2. Place dentures in cold water when not in use.
3. You have to give rest to your mouth / oral tissues for at least 6 hours a day.
4. Initially there is increase in salivation, which will be gradually reduced.
5. Speaking will be difficult with denture at first time, read loudly for few times so speech will be improved. You can practice by reading aloud the newspaper etc, until your speech gets better.
1. Cut food into small pieces and chew food on both sides.
2. Start with soft food then with food with normal consistency.
3. Massage gums in the morning.
4. Clean dentures with cold water and denture brush with soap.
5. Place dentures for half hour in denture cleanser every alternate day.
6. Do not apply pressure when cleaning inner / fitting surface of dentures.
7. Clean dentures in a tumbler under proper care to prevent breakage.
8. Using loose denture for long time will damage the tissues.
9. Please visit your dentist for denture check-up once in 6 months.
10. If you have discomfort/ pain with denture wearing, consult dentist immediately.

Immediate Dentures

WHEN IS AN IMMEDIATE DENTURE USED?
To avoid the situation of being without teeth, your Dentist will implement the immediate denture technique. This involves making impressions of your mouth while your natural teeth are still present. The Dentist is then able to fabricate a denture in the likeness of your natural teeth, or make any necessary modifications you may wish. When your natural teeth are extracted, your immediate denture is then inserted. In this technique, you have avoided having to go without any teeth while you go through the healing process.


Things You Should Know About Immediate Dentures
Since the Dentist is unable to try-in the denture prior to extracting your teeth, certain esthetic compromises may be necessary. This doesn’t present any significant problems, and the results are normally quite good. It is important to follow the postoperative instructions of your Dentist very carefully. As healing occurs, the oral tissues recede so denture adjustments may be required. Follow-up appointments with your Dentist are necessary.

To maintain the best fit and comfort, a temporary liner or tissue conditioner may be placed in the denture. During the next few months, bone and gum tissue will probably continue to shrink to some degree; however, the rate of change decreases with time. This is a natural occurrence, which is to be expected. After the healing process is complete, either a new permanent full denture(s) will be made or your denture(s) will be relined or rebased to ensure the most comfortable fit possible. Your Dentist will recommend the option that best meets your particular needs.

Maxillo Facial Prosthesis
Maxillofacial prosthodontics is one of the branches of Prosthodontics which deals with the art and science of restoring malformed or missing part of human face and associated structures through artificial means. By combining technical, medical, and artistic skills with patience and compassion, a maxillofacial Prosthodontist can create custom-made, life-like prostheses that meet the needs of each patient.

Facial prosthetic devices serve an essential role in restoring the physical and psychological well being for patients with missing or disfigured anatomical structures due to congenital abnormalities, trauma, or disease such as cancer. Patients may be able to gain renewed function, appearance, and confidence after receiving a prosthetic ear, eye, nose, finger, or hand.

The primary goal of prosthetic rehabilitation is to help patients improve their quality of life and uphold their self-image during their traumatic psychological adjustment. A truly successful prosthesis may go unnoticed in public, allowing patients to go about life without drawing attention to that aspect of their physical appearance.

Mouth Guards

Athletic mouth guards are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to fit comfortably over the upper teeth. When it comes to sports equipment, mouth guards are a priority. They protect not only the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They also help protect a person from concussions and jaw fractures.
When should someone wear a mouth guard?
People should wear a mouth guard whenever they are involved in an activity with a risk of falls or of head contact with other players or equipment. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, even gymnastics. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous sports for teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball.

Proper Care of Mouth Guards
When not in use, all mouth guards should be stored in a plastic container to avoid damage due to excessive heat or cold. They should be washed after each use, using cold or lukewarm water. Hot water may cause distortion. Prior to insertion, a mouth guard may be rinsed in mouthwash to freshen the taste. As a general rule, it is recommended that a standard mouth guard be replaced every two to three years.

Whatever your age or sport, mouth guards are an important part of sports safety and your exercise routine. Do what you can to protect your smile and preserve your health. Ensure that you have a properly fitted mouth guard made by a professional.

Anti-Snoring Appliances

It is estimated that as many as 50% of us snore regularly. For some, snoring is no more than an occasional, inconvenient habit. However, chronic, heavy snoring can be more serious. Simple snoring can disturb others and cause a dry mouth or sore throat. Heavy snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, which can be associated with hypertension, stroke and other cardiopulmonary problems. Is someone snoring in your house?

What can a dentist do?  
Dentist can fit you with an oral appliance specially designed to treat snoring and sleep apnea.
Oral appliances are small and easy to wear. They are very light weight, which makes them easy to travel with. In addition, they are relatively inexpensive when compared to other alternatives such as surgery and CPAP. As well, oral appliances are non-invasive, and non-surgical.