Prosthetic Dentistry in South Africa

There are both removable and fixed dental prostheses. Fixed prosthetic options use bridges and crowns, which are cemented to the mouth. Detachable prostheses include partial and full dentures.

A severely damaged tooth may be rectified by crowning. If you have extensive decay in a tooth and it has been filled many times or if the tooth has darkened, for instance, due to root canal therapy, crowning is an excellent treatment option. Crowning both improves the appearance of the tooth and strengthens it. The tooth which is to be crowned is ground into a tiny support pillar upon which the crown will be made. A dental technician creates an individual crown based on the patient's occlusion depending on casts created by a dentist, and it will be cemented to the tooth pillar. The crown may be made of gold, ceramics or different metal alloys, for example. If the tooth is lacking completely and replaced with an implant, the crown is fixed onto the implant.

One or numerous missing teeth may be replaced with an implant, bridge or partial denture. A bridge is fixed onto the teeth beside the missing tooth, and they will be crowned. Additionally, a gap caused by numerous teeth missing may be covered with a bridge. Similarly, as crowns, also bridges may be made from various materials.

As opposed to a bridge, a partial denture is a detachable prosthetic solution. A partial denture may be, for instance, a plate created from metal or acrylic plastic acrylic to which artificial teeth are fixed. When the partial denture is fitted into the mouth, the spaces resulting from missing teeth are covered by the teeth in the denture.

If you are missing all the teeth, a complete denture is used as the prosthetic alternative. A complete denture is a detachable device which replaces all the teeth. A whole denture can even be bonded in the mouth with some implants. In these instances, it may still be taken out for cleaning by oneself.

Getting accustomed to dental prostheses may take a while initially. Additionally, there is a constant adaptation of tissues happening in the mouth that may lead to reduced fit of the prosthesis. The fit of the prosthesis is examined with frequent visits to the dentist, and the prosthesis may be realigned if necessary. Good oral hygiene usually prolongs the longevity of dental prostheses. Correctly cleaned, a dental prosthesis may last forever.

It is good to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water when taking care of your denture, in the event, you unintentionally drop it. Brush the denture (ideally with a denture brush) everyday to get rid of plaque and food deposits, and keep it from getting permanently stained. Refrain from using a brush with tough bristles that may damage the denture. Pay special focus on cleaning teeth, which fit under the denture`s metal clasps. Plaque, which gets caught up under the clasps increases the risk of tooth decay.

Mild dishwashing liquid or hand soap to clean dentures is as well acceptable. Other kinds of household cleaners and a lot of toothpaste are too abrasive and must not be used for cleaning dentures. A denture can lose its proper shape if isn't kept moist. At bedtime, the denture must be placed in water or soaking solution. But if the appliance has metal attachments, they may be stained if placed in soaking solution.

Even with full dentures, you will still have to maintain a proper hygiene of your mouth. Each morning, brush your palate, gums, and tongue using a soft-bristled brush before putting in your dentures. This eradicates plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Choosing a balanced diet for good nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth.