Prosthodontics (DENTAL PROSTHETICS)
- Crowns (caps) — artificial coverings of the tooth made from a variety of materials, including CMC/PMC (ceramic/porcelain metal composite), gold or a tin/aluminum mixture. The underlying tooth must be reshaped to accommodate these.
- Veneers — artificial coverings similar to above, except that they only cover the forward (labial or buccal) surface of the tooth. Usually for aesthetic purposes only.
- Bridges — a set of two or more fused crowns which bridge a missing tooth (teeth). Typically used after an extraction.
- Implants — a procedure in which a base is set into the bone (mandible or maxilla), allowed to heal, and months later an artificial tooth is screwed into place.
- Dentures (false teeth) — a partial or complete set of dentition which is either attached to neighboring teeth by use of metal or plastic grasps, or to the gingival or palatial surface by use of adhesive.
- Implant-supported prosthesis — a combination of dentures and implants; bases are placed into the bone, allowed to heal, and metal appliances are fixed to the gingival surface, following which dentures are placed atop and fixed into place.
GAOC