Prosthodontics

A smile you can be proud to show off is important, and Westgrove Dental is here to serve all of your dental and oral health needs. Prosthodontics is an area of dentistry focused on aesthetic restorations that ensure the mouth can function properly while also returning to an ideal form. Prosthodontics can treat a variety of issues, including:

• TMJ/TMD
• Traumatic injuries to the mouth
• Congenital or birth anomalies
• Sleep disorders or snoring
• Oral cancer reconstruction

The team at Westgrove Dental knows that the loss of natural teeth can be a blow to a person’s self-esteem. Whether that loss is from natural causes or trauma, our highly skilled team of prosthodontists is here to help restore function, form, and health to your smile. Prosthodontic treatment allows you to return to normal life, free from the pain that may be caused by your oral condition and the embarrassment of a smile you aren’t proud of.

Prosthodontists have extensive training in oral conditions that result in dental and facial issues due to missing or defective teeth or issues with the jaw structure. Treatments can include bridges, crowns, dental implants, dentures, and fillings, among others.

Prosthodontists are trained using advanced technology to ensure effectiveness and accuracy to treat successfully even the most complex dental conditions. Prosthodontists specialize in restorations, so they have a unique understanding of the intricate workings of the mouth and can ensure a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.

Your prosthodontist is trained in restoring your smile to its optimal form and function. The following procedures may be recommended:

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth to help maintain the proper shape of the face and alleviate uneven stress on your bite. Using artificial teeth that blend in with your natural teeth, bridges work to close the gap where a tooth or teeth may have been lost. Porcelain bridges are the most common and are used to fill the space of missing teeth, maintain facial shape, restore proper chewing and speaking ability, prevent further deterioration of the bite by other teeth drifting into the open space. Bridges are an excellent option to replace permanently missing teeth and restore the smile. Learn more

Crowns are essentially coverings that restore a tooth to its original shape and size. They are used when a tooth has been fractured, broken, or decayed beyond normal repair and to restore a tooth after a root canal. Crowns are sometimes referred to as “caps” because they do just that – they cap a tooth to provide an ideal outer surface. While crowns can be made of porcelain or metal, most patients prefer porcelain crowns due to their more aesthetically pleasing quality. Learn more

Dental implants consist of an artificial tooth and tooth root that are used to replace a missing tooth. A titanium screw is used to mimic the original tooth root. It is placed in the jaw to provide a stable base to which the artificial tooth can be attached. Once the screw is securely placed in the jawbone and has had time to heal, the artificial tooth will be placed on it. Dental implants are stable, reliable and are an excellent option to restore the function of your smile. Learn more

Dentures are used to replace lost teeth and restore the function of the mouth. They are made to look as natural as possible and are removable. Some patients may require a full set of dentures, which is needed when the majority of the natural teeth have been lost or removed. Other patients may only require a partial set of dentures to restore their smile. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is then connected to the natural teeth to allow for stability. Learn more

Fillings are used to repair teeth that have decay, cracks, fractures, or minor wear. Fillings are an excellent treatment option for minor issues, and composite fillings allow the fillings to blend in with the natural tooth. If you suffer from decay, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and replace it with composite resin. For chips, cracks, or fractures, your tooth will be prepared, and then the area will be filled with the composite to restore its natural shape and function. Learn more

Veneers can improve the look of your smile by altering the color, size, or shape of your teeth. Veneers are thin, custom-created porcelain shells used to cover the surface of our teeth. They are designed to be natural-looking and can radically improve the look and feel of your smile. Learn more

Occlusal disease is caused by malocclusion or misalignment of the teeth. This is often caused due to a discrepancy in the upper and lower dental arches. If left untreated, occlusal disease can wreak havoc on your smile, damaging your teeth as well as the supporting bones and gums. It can also cause temporomandibular joint issues. Learn more

All-on-4 is a dental implant procedure that replaces the entire upper and/or lower set of teeth using only four implants. These four implants work as support for the new set of teeth. The procedure places two implants at the front of the mouth, and two angled implants at the back. With only these four implants, our dental experts can provide a full arch tooth replacement. Learn more