Prosthetics is a branch of dentistry that enables the reconstruction of lost or damaged teeth, restoring the full functionality of the oral cavity and the aesthetics of the smile. Thanks to advanced techniques and modern materials, prosthetics not only enhances appearance but also significantly improves quality of life.
The loss of teeth can affect daily life, from difficulties in eating to reduced self-confidence in social interactions. Prosthetics offers a wide range of solutions tailored to the individual needs of the patient, helping to restore a healthy smile and confidence.
Prosthetist in Warsaw – Warsaw Dental Academy
Warsaw Dental Academy provides comprehensive dental treatment services, specializing in prosthetics. We offer modern and innovative prosthetic solutions based on solid expertise, responsibility, and a personalized approach to each patient. Our goal is to ensure the highest quality care, allowing you to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.
We will fill all the gaps :-)
Missing teeth or cavities are not a problem for us. There are many techniques and methods to restore a full and healthy smile, and we know all of them!
What does prosthodontics do?
Prosthodontics deals with restoring missing teeth in a painless and permanent way. As any other field of dentistry, also prosthodontics constantly evolves. Owing to prosthodontics, people with damaged teeth or missing teeth can enjoy a beautiful smile once again. Solutions and methods that we have at our disposal allow us to take an individual approach towards every patient. Cavities or missing teeth can bring many serious health problems. Not only can the occlusion be damaged, but also the shape of the face. If you haven't been to a dentist for a while or have had missing teeth for many years, it would be beneficial to consult a prosthodontist, as time is of the essence with such problems.
When to visit a prosthodontist?
If you look in the mirror and are not content with your smile because of damaged or missing teeth, it is the first signal to do it. There may also be other indications, such as headaches, the cause of which has been difficult to diagnose. Such headaches may be caused by poor condition of the oral cavity. Therefore, the following reasons indicate that it is worth, or even necessary, to visit a prosthodontist:
- Improving teeth aesthetics – due to the treatment, the patient's self-assessment and confidence are improved. It influences the shape, colour and special features. Wide range of methods and techniques allows us to solve any problem and meet the patient's financial capabilities.
- Damaged tooth - typically as a result of an accident, doing sports, biting something hard or untreated dental cavities. One should remember that the sooner we react, the greater the chance of saving such a tooth is.
- Missing teeth - they not only worsen the aesthetics but also disrupt the proper chewing processes. Each missing tooth means that the adjacent teeth have to bear additional loads. It also creates additional spaces where food particles can wedge, which makes it much more difficult to maintain proper hygiene of the mouth. Because of that, healthy teeth are exposed to other negative risk factors. Women, in particular, should know that disturbed symmetry of the smile may result in the formation of new wrinkles. And these are only some of the possible consequences of missing teeth!
What types of prosthodontic restorations are there?
Many patients associate prosthodontics only with classical, removable dentures. However, one should know that there are many, many more types of restorations. There are two groups of them: fixed dental prostheses and removable prostheses (dentures).
Fixed dental prostheses - fixed into the patient's teeth with the use of special dental cements, making them much more comfortable to wear.
- Crowns - porcelain or all-ceramic. The tooth restores its original look and functions. A properly fitted crown cannot be differentiated from other teeth.
- Bridges - used when one or more teeth are missing. It is a combination of artificial crowns, which are fixed on both sides of the patient's own teeth or implants.
- Veneers - flat, ceramic facings placed on the visible surface of teeth. They restore aesthetic and natural look, simultaneously strengthening the structure of the teeth.
- Onlay/Inlay - fillings of cavities in teeth that are made beforehand in a denture lab. They are perfectly tailored to the shape of the cavity. It is a permanent and aesthetic method that enables the restoration of teeth damaged by caries.
- Crown-root inlays - used to restore crowns of teeth that have undergone a root canal treatment. Currently, we most often make inlays made of fibreglass due to their high aesthetics.
Removable prostheses (dentures) - due to contemporary methods, they are sometimes considered optimal solutions which guarantee high comfort of use, without the need to worry about proper stability of the prosthesis. One can freely speak and eat with them. Removable prostheses are also made in case of toothlessness. It is best when they are implant-supported. However, there is a possibility to make a conventional denture that rests directly on the mucous membrane.
What is the best way to prepare for a prosthodontic treatment?
It is important to take care of the general health of the oral cavity before starting a prosthodontic treatment. Before treatment, caries and possible inflammations must be treated and tartar must be removed. Taking care of these issues is important, as it substantially decreases the risk of caries after a prosthodontic treatment.
Digital Smile Design in Prosthodontics
To put it simply, DSD enables one to know the results of the treatment before proceeding to it. This method was created by Christian Coachman, a dentist from Brazil. He noticed that even the most qualified team might encounter problems with precise communication of guidelines regarding the treatment plan. Due to his method, the risk of such situations has been reduced to a minimum.
Usually, patients are curious about how their smile will look like already during their first visit. Until recently, it could only be described by words. Patients had to eagerly wait for the treatment to be completed. Fortunately, today one can see the effects of the dentist's work before it's even started. It's a true revolution, allowing one to approach designing a smile as an architect approaches building a house.
Before proceeding to the treatment, the patient is thoroughly photographed and filmed. One's mouth, teeth, gums and lips are analysed, as well as the way the patient smiles and shows various emotions. It allows, in a way, to design how other people will perceive us.
Many specialists, such as an orthodontist, a surgeon or a prosthodontist, may work at your smile. Due to the treatment plan, which is a manual for them, each specialist knows the scope of their work ahead and the effects to be achieved.
At each stage of discussing the treatment plan with the patient, we advise what we believe is worth changing or amending and what does not require any improvements. We always strive to strike a happy medium between one's expectations and scientific knowledge. Designing a smile brings a lot of joy to patients and is satisfactory for both sides.
Thanks to DSD, the patient does not need to understand and imagine complicated techniques and treatment methods. It is enough to take a look at the project, which reflects the final result. The client may receive the treatment plan in a digital version to discuss it with his relatives to make sure that the new smile will suit him!
How does the smile designing process with the use of the DSD method look like?
1. The first consultation will take around 60 minutes.
2. At the studio, we will take a series of photos and films of the patient's face, teeth and smile.
3. We will conduct a thorough interview with the aim to get to know the patient and his expectations towards a beautiful smile.
4. We will analyse the relation between the teeth, mouth, smile, facial features and facial expression. It will result in the preparation of a treatment plan.
5. At a denture lab, we will prepare a model of your smile, which you will later try on, just like you would try on a dress or a suit.
