Our teeth are subject to a lot of wear and tear throughout our lifetimes. Eating, speaking, drinking your favorite beverages—it all adds up. And those daily activities don’t include some of those not-so-good things we do with our teeth. We use them as tools. We may clench or grind out our teeth during our sleep.

All of these things we do, over time, can wear away the enamel. The result? For many, it means tooth loss. About 12.9% of adults over age 65 have no remaining teeth. So what do they do? Well, when you’re missing teeth, the next step is to look into prosthodontics and tooth replacement options.

We know what you’re thinking. What is prosthodontics? And we have good news for you. We’re about to tell you everything you need to know.

What is prosthodontics?

We’ll explain this as simply as possible. Prosthodontics is a specialized area of dentistry focused on restoring and replacing missing or damaged teeth. It plays an important role in dental health by helping people regain the function and appearance of their teeth. Prosthodontists are experts in creating and fitting dental prosthetics.

These dental professionals, as well as dentists trained in prosthodontics, such as Dr. Staley, offer a variety of treatments and solutions to improve your smile. For example, your dentist near Boise, Idaho, can fit crowns to cover and protect damaged teeth, bridges to fill gaps left by missing teeth, dentures for those who need a full set of replacement teeth, and dental implants, which are permanent solutions for tooth loss. 

Prosthodontics help your teeth look great and work well, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

The Benefits of Prosthodontics

We just shared some of the most obvious benefits of prosthodontics, but let’s dive a bit deeper. We find that many of our patients don’t understand the risks associated with missing teeth and the gaps that they leave behind. Further, many people mistakenly believe that these treatments are painful, and take a long time to achieve the desired results. But that’s not always the situation.

Here are some of the benefits that you can expect from prosthodontics near Boise, Idaho:

• Better oral health: Prosthodontics helps prevent further dental problems by filling in gaps left by missing teeth. This reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease in nearby teeth.
• Improved function: Prosthodontics restores the ability to chew food properly and speak clearly by replacing missing teeth. This makes everyday activities easier and more comfortable.
• Natural-looking smile: Prosthodontics can greatly improve the look of your smile. Crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants are designed to look natural, giving you a confident and attractive smile.
• Complex dental work: Dentists skilled in prosthodontics know how to handle complicated dental cases. For example, Dr. Staley at Staley Dental can create detailed treatment plans for extensive dental issues, prioritizing that you get the care you need.
• Increased confidence: A healthy, functional, and nice-looking smile can greatly improve self-esteem. Prosthodontics helps you feel better about your appearance and oral health.

Prosthodontic Treatment Process

As with most complex dental procedures, prosthodontic treatment begins with a consultation. During this visit, we’ll listen to you and your needs, as well as your goals for a restored smile. We’ll look at your mouth and discuss the best restorative dentistry options to help you achieve those smile goals.

Once we agree on your smile makeover plan, we’ll schedule your treatment or multiple treatments. The treatments may include crowns to protect and strengthen damaged teeth, bridges to replace one or more missing teeth, dentures for those needing a full set of teeth, or dental implants for a permanent tooth replacement solution. 

Each treatment is tailored to your specific needs, to achieve the best possible outcome for your smile. Throughout the process, we’ll guide you, answer any questions, and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Advancements in Prosthodontics

As with just about everything these days, technology has made it easier for us to do so many things. This includes communicating with friends and family far away, doing our jobs, and getting the dental treatments we need for a happy and healthy smile.

Digital imaging allows for precise planning and customization of dental prosthetics, giving you a perfect fit and natural appearance. 3D printing technology enables the creation of high-quality crowns, bridges, and dentures quickly and accurately. Modern materials, such as advanced ceramics and composite resins, offer super strength and a lifelike look. 

These technological innovations improve the effectiveness of treatments and make the process more comfortable and efficient for patients. It’s a win-win situation, and we use that very technology here at Staley Dental.

Missing teeth? Talk to your dentist near Boise, Idaho, about prosthodontics, today.

Don’t let your smile or confidence suffer from missing teeth. With prosthodontics near Boise, Idaho, we can help restore your smile and help you feel confident again. 

At Staley Dental, we don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t smile. We’re here to help. Request your consultation today.