Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has received additional training in the specialization of tooth replacement treatments. Prosthodontists are dedicated to reconstructive, aesthetic and implant dentistry.

No matter how hard we try, there are some times where we may lose a tooth. Whether from infection or injury, even the best dental hygiene can’t always help. When a tooth is missing, your mouth isn’t at optimal health. A missing tooth can cause aesthetic issues and functionality issues, including bone loss, teeth spacing and other problems.

Prosthodontists are dedicated to ensuring that our patients have a functional, comfortable smile that is aesthetically pleasing. Some of the ways that we treat missing teeth include dentures, bridges and implants.

A denture is a removable appliance that is used to replace natural teeth. A full set of dentures is used if all of the patient's teeth are missing. Full dentures are usually secured with a dental cement but can also be supported by implants. Implant supported dentures are very secure and make it easier to eat tougher foods, help with comfort and really provide our patients with increased dental functionality. A partial denture is used if only a few teeth are missing.

A dental bridge is a secured, semi-permanent appliance that literally creates a bridge over a missing tooth. The bridge is created by using two crowns outside the actual bridge portion of the appliance. Similar to a dental crown, the teeth surrounding the gap are shaved down to support the crowns. Those two crowns are anchored to the surrounding teeth, bridging the gap. Bridges are a tried and true method and are generally more affordable than an implant, however they do not last as long and they do not aid in saving the jaw bone.

A dental implant is the preferred method to fix a missing tooth. Dental implants are superior to bridges in that they prevent bone loss.

A dental implant is a post that is screwed directly into the jaw bone. Once the implant has been placed, it fuses with the jaw bone and creates a secure root. This alone helps jaw bone loss and prevents teeth from moving around the mouth. Once the implant has fully healed (usually 3-6 months later), a mold is taken of the gap and a crown is created in a lab. The crown is then attached to the implant, recreating your natural tooth. Dental implants are secure and long lasting and with proper care can last a very long time.

Please note that implant placement does depend on the condition of the jaw bone. If there is excessive bone loss, grafting may be needed. If grafting is needed, that will extend the length of treatment time.

All of our restorative options are created to match the color and shape of your existing teeth. They are beautifully crafted, offering you both aesthetically pleasing and functional teeth at an affordable price.

At Bellflower Dental Group, we are committed to continued education and continue to stay abreast of modern research, technologies, techniques and education as it pertains to prosthodontic treatment. If you or a loved one are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, please give us a call today so that we can set up a consultation and see how we can help.

During your visit, our expert team will go over all of your dental history, financials and dental needs and help decide which type of dental prosthetics are right for you. Our team will come up with a personalized treatment plan to get your dental health back on track.

Regardless of your dental reconstruction needs, our team can help. Our prosthodontists are experts in the field of dental reconstruction and treat every dental treatment with the highest level of precision and care.