Missing Teeth? Penn Dental Medicine Specialists Can Help

Losing or damaging a tooth, whether from an accident, illness, or other cause, can be an alarming experience. Missing teeth not only affect your appearance but also can be detrimental to your oral health and overall well-being.

You don’t have to live with gaps between your teeth, or deal with the pain and challenges of cracked or misshapen teeth. A prosthodontist—a dental specialist who focuses on restoring missing teeth and jaw structures—can reduce or eliminate your discomfort and bring back your healthy smile.

To find the right prosthodontist in Philadelphia, you need look no further than Penn Dental Medicine.

What Does a Prosthodontist Do?

The prosthodontists at Philadelphia’s Penn Dental Medicine diagnose and treat patients who need their natural teeth repaired or replaced for any reason. They work with patients who have complex dental needs due to chronic disease or the effects of surgery, trauma, cancer, or congenital (birth) defects, They also provide some cosmetic dentistry services.

Some treatments you can expect from a prosthodontist include:

• Dentures (full or partial)
  
• Dental implants
  
• Bridges
• Crowns and caps
  
• Occlusal splints to support or correct jaw problems
  
• Veneers

After dental school, prosthodontists complete an additional three years of advanced training. This training focuses on diagnosing and developing treatment plans for complex cases, as well as the technical aspects of dental prosthetic fitting, manufacturing, and placement.

Prosthodontists are often the lead dentists for patients with particularly complex conditions. They coordinate teams of providers, including other dentists, dental hygienists, and lab technicians, to meet their patients’ needs.

Cosmetic Dentistry or Prosthodontics: What’s the Difference?

Some patients mistakenly assume prosthodontics is the same as cosmetic dentistry. Although the two specialties overlap somewhat, some key distinctions exist.

With the rise in demand for procedures like teeth whitening, most dentists are cosmetic dentists to some degree. A dentist only needs to complete a few classes in specialty cosmetic procedures to practice cosmetic dentistry.

Prosthodontists both complete several years of additional training and are considered experts in the field of restorative dentistry. They deal with complex cases that require a coordinated treatment plan involving specialists from multiple disciplines, including radiology, surgery, and rehabilitation. Prosthodontists are also trained to fit and place dental prosthetics and treat conditions affecting the jaw.

Whether you should see a cosmetic dentist or a prosthodontist in Philadelphia depends on the procedures you need (or want), whether you have underlying conditions, and the complexity of your needs.

If your teeth are healthy and you want them to look whiter or need a small chip repaired, a cosmetic dentist can help. If you need teeth replaced or restored, you need a prosthodontist.

When You Need to Visit a Prosthodontist

Many patients receive a referral from their general dentist when they need prosthodontic dental care. However, you should make an appointment with a prosthodontist in Philadelphia if:

• You have a missing tooth or teeth.
  
• You have a broken or chipped tooth that needs repair.
  
• You have jaw pain.
  
• You have difficulty chewing.
  
• You grind your teeth (bruxism).
  
• You have a dry mouth.
  
• Your existing dentures are uncomfortable or ill-fitting.
  
• You have sleep apnea or snore excessively.
  
• You have misshapen teeth.
  
• You have experienced a traumatic injury to your jaw or teeth.

An experienced prosthodontist will develop an effective treatment plan to restore your teeth’s appearance and function.

Penn Dental Medicine prosthodontists are at the forefront of dental technology and treatments. They are committed to providing personalized, patient-centered care to all.

Whether you need restoration or replacement, the providers at Penn Dental have the skills needed to give you a healthy smile!

Schedule Your Consultation

If you want to see a dental specialist, request your complimentary prosthodontic consultation today. Fill out this form to take the first step toward transformative dental services.