Prosthodontic Dentistry
What is a Prosthodontist?
Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and replacement of teeth. After completing four years of dental school, prosthodontists receive three additional years of specialized training in an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate education program. Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA. Rigorous training and experience provide prosthodontists with a special understanding of the dynamics of a smile, the preservation of a healthy mouth and the creation of tooth replacements. Serving as the “architect” of a dental treatment plan, prosthodontists collaborate with general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental concerns.
One Of Houston’s Top Choices Dental Implants:
Prosthodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prostheses, artificial replacements used to restore intraoral defects such as missing teeth. There are less than 4,000 prosthodontists practicing in the United States compared to well over 100,000 general dentists. Prosthodontists are few and far between, and one of the best calls Uptown Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry home.
Prosthodontists must undergo three additional years of specialized training in an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate education program. This specialized training enables them to manage complex dental restorations ranging from single-tooth replacement to traumatic injury rehabilitation.
If you are seeking a cosmetic or reconstructive dental procedure, it’s best to consult a prosthodontist who can ensure that you get the smile that you’ve always wanted. Dr. Velasco is the leading prosthodontist in Houston, TX. Reach out to us at Uptown Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry and let us know how we can help make you smile today.
Reconstructive Dentistry
What is reconstructive dentistry?
Reconstructive dentistry is the practice or process of rebuilding a person’s teeth, gums, jaw or any combination of these in an otherwise normal mouth.
At Uptown we specialize in Prosthodontics and Reconstructive Dentistry. Our goal is to ensure our patients get the treatment plan they need to rehabilitate their smile to the beauty they experienced before their problems began. Patients often refer to the change as a rebirth.
Dr. Velasco and Dr. Gemp are leaders in the field of implant dentistry, the most widely chosen method to restore missing and failing teeth.
Implant Retained Dentures
Do you have loose, uncomfortable dentures? Would you like to eat, laugh and talk without your dentures moving in your mouth? Sometimes patients can have problems adjusting to complete dentures. The upper plate of a denture will cover the majority of the roof of the mouth. This may cause gagging, difficulty speaking, and limits the taste of food. The lower denture rests on the existing ridge of bone which will continue to reduce thickness over time. Without teeth roots to stimulate the tissue, the jawbone can deteriorate. In some cases, a patient may not be able to wear a lower denture due to the bone loss. Then, in addition to functional problems, people’s faces tend to cave and they age prematurely. Dental implants for the upper denture act as an anchor to maximize retention and stability. Because the denture secures to dental implant posts, there is no need for the extended plate. And because implants stimulate the jawbone, the bone will not reduce and lose its natural shape. Patients with implant-retained dentures report greater satisfaction and better function. The quality of life is highly improved.
Extractions
In some cases, a tooth can be badly damaged due to decay or fractures and may not be savable. The cost of saving a tooth can be expensive and may not have a long life after dental treatment is complete. When this happens, a dentist may recommend the tooth be extracted (removed). Options for tooth replacement should be decided prior to removal. In these cases, a dental implant, fixed bridge, or partial are some of the possible options as discussed above.