Prosthodontics is the branch of Dentistry that deals with the replacement of lost teeth and dental tissues with crowns, bridges, dentures or implant supported prostheses. All of these services are offered by the Department of Restorative Dentistry.

There are 3 methods of replacing lost teeth:

1. Dentures
2. Crowns and Bridges
3. Implant-supported Prostheses

1. DENTURES (Removable Prostheses)

Patients who have lost their teeth can have these replaced by removable partial dentures or complete dentures. The aim of treatment is to restore appearance, function, speech and health of the masticatory system.

Dentures should be removed after every meal and cleaned. They should also be removed when you go to sleep. Dentures are most commonly used when several teeth need to be replaced or where there are no suitable supporting teeth for bridges.

Normally, after an extraction, a few months healing of the gums and bone is required before final dentures can be made. If it is desired that this period of edentulousness is to be avoided, an immediate denture can be made before the extraction so that it can be worn immediately after the tooth is extracted. Such dentures are temporary or transistional and are usually replaced within 6 months. During this period, the denture would require several adjustments to fit the healing gums and bone.

2. CROWN AND BRIDGES (Fixed Prostheses)

Broken down and missing teeth can be restored with crowns or bridges.

When a single tooth is badly decayed, damaged, chipped, discoloured or misshaped, then it can be restored with a crown or cap.

Bridges can replace several missing teeth and require strong, healthy natural teeth on either side of the empty space to support the artificial teeth. They are fixed and and cannot be removed and are thus usually better accepted by patients when compared to dentures.

In mouths where several teeth are badly broken down, tilted, missing or not biting correctly, full mouth rehabilitation employing crowns and bridges is sometimes indicated.

The aim of treatment is not only to restore function and aesthetics, but also to improve the patient's psychosocial well being.

3.IMPLANTS

Dental Implants have revolutionised the treatment and replacement of missing teeth. A dental implant is a biocompatible load bearing fixture that is directly anchored in jaw bone allowing the replacement of missing teeth. This process requires surgery and a healing or "integration" period of 4 to 6 months after which, an implant supported prostheses is constructed over the implants.

More detailed information is provided in the section on Dental Implants.

Contributed by A/Prof Keson Tan

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