While your dentist ensures your smile is healthy, and your orthodontist makes sure your teeth are straight -- what’s the number one priority for a prosthodontist? Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Michael Bleeker explains what his work entails and how he helps patients each day.
The #1 Priority For A Prosthodontist
Restoring the aesthetics of a patient’s smile, function and oral health is the top priority for prosthodontists. This includes a range of procedures -- from dental implants and securing crowns or bridges to creating custom mouthguards and performing teeth-whitening treatments. Check out a few of these procedures below -- explained by Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Bleeker.
What Prosthodontists Can Do To Keep Your Smile Healthy
Prosthodontic treatments are designed to be functional, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. There’s an ever-increasing array of high-tech prosthodontic treatments available, including the following:
Dental Implants – Implants are designed by your Scottsdale prosthodontist to replace natural teeth in the most effective and non-noticeable fashion. Titanium roots are inserted into the jawbone in the same way as the roots on your natural teeth. Implants look and feel the same as your natural teeth, so patients leave Dr. Bleeker’s office with a healthy, bright smile that’s both functional and natural-looking. This is one of the top priorities for a prosthodontist -- helping you look and feel your best, thanks to a healthy, beautiful smile.
Porcelain Veneers – Veneers are porcelain/ceramic covers that are bonded to your natural teeth. Veneers can immediately solve pervasive dental issues such as uneven and stained teeth, as well as chips and damage caused by general wear and tear. If you’re aiming for an even, glowing smile -- contact Dr. Bleeker’s office today.
Dental Crowns – Prosthetic crowns are generally made from porcelain, metal or a combination of the two. They’re designed to mimic the natural crown (surface of your tooth) and can last up to a decade, or longer. This is another procedure Dr. Bleeker performs to help patients have healthy, radiant teeth.
Dental Bridges – Conventional and cantilever dental bridges are utilized to support a prosthetic tooth. The natural teeth can support the bridge if they are in good condition, or dental implants may be inserted as anchors.
Complete & Partial Dentures – A complete set of dentures can be crafted by Dr. Bleeker for patients who have lost all of their natural teeth from gum disease or dental trauma. A full set of dentures restores functionality to the mouth -- a top priority for a prosthodontist -- and also makes chewing and speaking much easier. In places where many teeth have been lost, removable or fixed partial dentures can be an excellent option. Overall, dentures enhance your smile’s aesthetics and also improve your ability to chew properly.
What other dental problems can your prosthodontist address?
In addition to the above treatments, prosthodontists are also skilled at treating jaw problems (TMJ), helping to alleviate severe snoring, managing sleep apnea and reconstructing the teeth following oral cancer treatments. Usually, a prosthodontist works in tandem with other dental health professionals to make sure the best possible restorative results are achieved for every patient.
If you have any concerns about the state of your current dental health, or you wish to learn more about any of the above treatments, schedule a consultation with top Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Michael Bleeker. It’s never too late to get your smile back on track!
Contact Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Bleeker today to see if any of these are recommended for you to improve your smile.