What Are Prosthodontics Treatments?
Prosthodontics is a subset of dental treatments and procedures related to tooth replacement. A prosthodontist can help with dental implants, dental bridges, crowns, or other restorative dental treatments. While many family dental offices provide some prosthodontic treatments, it is very common for dentists who primarily focus on checkups and cleanings to refer their patients to a different dental office for more complex procedures like dental implants. Here at Pemberton Dental Associates in Lawrence Massachusetts, our office provides comprehensive dental care which includes both regular cleanings/exams and prosthodontic treatments.
When Do You Need To See A Prosthodontist
Dentists that provide prosthodontic treatments are sometimes referred to as prosthodontists. They provide treatments that are frequently categorized as “restorative dentistry”. These treatments help patients handle a variety of dental issues including:
- Severe Toothaches: A toothache is a dental symptom that usually points to underlying issue. In some cases, a toothache might be a sign that a tooth’s root is infected, which will require a root canal treatment. In other cases, a toothache might be caused by severe dental decay/infection which will may require prosthodontic treatments like a dental crown to replace the damaged section of the tooth or a dental implant if the tooth cannot be saved.
- Missing Teeth: the most common reason to see a dentist that provides restorative treatments is to handle a missing tooth. There are many options to help with lost teeth including dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, and more. Here at Pemberton Dental Associates we provide a variety of treatments and help our patients choose the right treatment based on their goals and oral health.
- Damaged Teeth: If teeth are cracked, chipped, or broken you may need to see a prosthodontist to discuss replacement solutions. In some cases, a dental crown can be used to replace part of the tooth while keeping the rest of the tooth intact. In other cases, your dentist might recommend that for the tooth to be extracted and replaced.
Do All Dentists Provide Prosthodontic Treatments?
Different dental offices provide different dental treatments. It is very common for dental offices to either prioritize preventative care (exams, X-rays, and cleanings) or specialize in a specific type of treatment like orthodontics or oral surgery. A comprehensive dental office refers to an office that does not need to refer patients out to other offices for different types of treatments. For example, many family dentists focus on cleanings/exams and maybe treatments like dental fillings because this is what the majority of their patients need. When a child or teen needs to address a larger issue, they are referred out to a local orthodontist, oral surgeon, or other practice. By contrast, a comprehensive dental office like ours provides both preventative care and prosthodontic treatments like dental implants.
Prosthodontists in Lawrence Massachusetts
Pemberton Dental Associates provides prosthodontic treatments including dental crowns, dental bridges, and dental implants for patients living in the Lawrence area. If you need help addressing issues with damaged or missing teeth, please contact our team to discuss treatments.