Prosthodontics deals with the replacement of missing teeth. The restoration of missing teeth can restore a natural facial appearance, and corrects the collapsed appearance that many times occurs after losing teeth. The Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry provides services in this area of practice, including prosthodontic care with dentures, partials, bridges, and implants.
Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable, however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. Others rely on the gums and soft tissues, once a patient has lost all their teeth.
Fixed partial dentures, also known as dental bridges, are made from crowns that are fitted on the remaining teeth to act as abutments and pontics made from materials to resemble the missing teeth. Fixed bridges are more expensive than removable appliances but are more stable.
Complete dentures, or full dentures, are worn by patients who are missing all of the teeth in a single arch.
Overdentures are complete or partial removable dentures supported by retained roots, teeth or implants to provide improved support, stability, and tactile and proprioceptive sensation and to reduce bone resorption.
