Dentistry can be called an extensive science. All because it includes various areas and methods of treatment. Based on which section of dentistry a doctor’s activity is associated with, he is assigned one or another specialization. The doctor can work in the field of surgery, orthodontics or orthopedics. Together, they work to solve the problems of their patients associated with diseases and defects of the dentition. Today, our attention was given to an orthopedic dentist. Who is this? In the article we will find out what problems orthopedic dentistry solves, and discuss the methods used by specialists in this field.
Orthopedics
What kind of science is this? This is a huge section in the field of medicine. It is not referred only to dentistry. Orthopedics covers the problems of the entire musculoskeletal system. Simply put, the activities of specialists go beyond the treatment of dental disease.
So what does an orthopedic dentist do? Science itself is devoted to the study, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of anomalies and organ defects of not only the masticatory, but also the speech apparatus. Accordingly, doctors direct all their forces to eliminating all these defects that worsen the quality of life of patients.
Orthopedic dentist: who is it and what is treating?
Many confuse orthodontists with orthopedists. What is the difference? The activities of the former are aimed at correcting the occlusion, the incorrect location of dental units on the jaw arch.
An orthopedic dentist is a specialist working in the field of prosthetics. Simply put, his activity is aimed at restoring the internal and external parts of the tooth. If the unit can be saved, its root is intact, despite the complete destruction of the crown part, then orthopedists take up the matter.
The latest technology allows you to restore a completely lost tooth. After removal, implantation comes to the rescue. This technique also covers the area of medicine under consideration.
As we see, this is a difficult and responsible work. An orthopedic dentist is closely connected with other areas. Often, experts have the skills of both an orthodontist and a surgeon. Next, we consider in more detail what orthopedists do. To do this, it will be useful for us to find out about the reasons why you have to resort to prosthetics.
The reasons that lead us to the orthopedist
The best orthopedic dentists always urge patients to deal with the causes of tooth decay. First you need to know about them in order to avoid prosthetics.
Banal caries can lead to this if left untreated for a long time. After significant damage to the unit, not only the aesthetics of the smile suffer, but also the functionality of the entire chewing apparatus. And this, in turn, can provoke a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract.
In some cases, the patient needs prosthetics in order to prevent complete decay of the tooth. If the unit is prone to defects, then it is more fragile. The tooth faces destruction at any time. In order to prevent this from happening, a crown is installed. The goal of the orthopedic dentist is to prevent damage. After all, it will not only lead to a violation of functionality and aesthetics, but also cause pain.
Some people are concerned about the appearance of their teeth. They look unattractive, although they do an excellent job with their functional responsibilities. Orthopedics also come to the rescue in such matters. The specialist with the help of the finest ceramic plates is able to hide minor defects. They are also called "Hollywood veneers." This prosthetics technology allows you to hide scratches, chips, gaps between the teeth and slight bending.
Next, we will consider what methods of tooth restoration are owned by orthopedists.
Crowns
Crowns are considered the most common dentures for teeth. Outwardly, they look like a cap that repeats the shape of a natural tooth. The structures in question are made of metal, plastic, and ceramics. The most successful options are considered to be products made from a combination of several types of materials.
Ceramic crowns are by far the most expensive type of prosthesis of this kind. The material perfectly reproduces the color and shape of the jaw arch unit. It has one more plus. Ceramic products are translucent, as is tooth enamel. It is this feature that makes the structures under consideration the most natural.
Cermets are more durable because they have a titanium frame. The price of such crowns is much lower, which made this type widely in demand among the population.
Undoubtedly, the use of metal has negative aspects. In this case, translucent ceramics is not relevant. After all, through it you can consider the metal base of the crown. But here a solution is found. An orthopedic dentist will correct this with zirconium oxide. This is a white metal that is not visible under ceramics. Accordingly, these designs are much more expensive than ceramic products.
Talk about tabs
What it is? This is an orthopedic device that can be called both a filling and a prosthesis. Products are made of durable materials. They close and protect the expanded root canals after the treatment of dentin diseases. They are also responsible for restoring the functionality of the dental unit and the aesthetics of the smile.
The constructions under consideration compare favorably with fillings, repeating the shape of the tooth well. Ceramics can be made in any color. Patients very rarely experienced complications after their installation. After all, even people who have an increased sensitivity of the gums, experts recommend such a tooth restoration. Ceramics does not have a toxic effect on the body, since the material has a natural origin.
Veneers and Lumineers
Work as a dentist orthopedist requires professionalism and continuous improvement of qualifications. After all, progress does not stand still. It is necessary to have time to master new technologies. Today, in order to install veneers or lumineers, it is not necessary to go abroad. Domestic clinics have successfully mastered this technology of tooth restoration.
What is a design? This is the thinnest ceramic plate (not more than 0.7 mm), which is attached to the front of the front teeth with special cement. The specialist is forced to grind enamel so that the veneers are worn with comfort.
Designs are installed, as a rule, in order to hide chips, yellowness of enamel, slight curvature. Veneers can last an average of 10 years. They perfectly retain their original appearance and color all this time. However, since the material is quite fragile, it must be treated carefully.
But in order to preserve the enamel, but to fix the defects, the orthopedist sets up the lumineers. Their difference from the above structures is only in their thickness (not more than 0.3 mm). This allows almost no grinding off enamel.
Bridges
In cases where patients need to restore several units located in the neighborhood, bridges come to the rescue. In their functions, they resemble crowns. The only difference is that this technology allows you to restore a plot with a length of 2 to 5 units. Made of metal, plastic, ceramics. Typically, these designs combine several materials. They carry a greater functional load than single crowns. Therefore, they must be durable. The best option can be considered a bridge on implants. This type of fastening provides a high degree of comfort during the operation of the structure. The implant is made in the form of a metal rod. It is implanted in hard tissue, after which it is able to replace the root system of the tooth.
Plate construction
So they call one of the types of removable dentures. Today they are widely used. With full adentia, this type of prosthetics is recommended by an orthopedic dentist. What makes it impossible to use other technologies to restore the lost functions of the chewing apparatus? This is a complete lack of teeth and contraindications for implantation. Also, this method of prosthetics is most often resorted to because of its availability. The designs are easy to manufacture, so they are inexpensive. Although, in comparison with other types of prosthetics, laminar dentures have a number of disadvantages. Many patients cannot get used to them for a long time. Designs often rub the soft tissue of the gums and require the use of fixing preparations so that the prosthesis does not pop out of the mouth during a conversation or eating.
Clasp constructions
Consider another type of prosthetics. Clasp structures differ from plate prostheses in that they have a fastening system. In addition to the base and artificial teeth, the product is equipped with locks and clasps.
A feature that distinguishes this type of dentures is the fact that metal is often used in their design. And this does not affect aesthetics very well. Often during a smile, metal clasps are visible. Modern technology allows us to rectify the situation. You can make a prosthesis with ceramic locks. However, this will affect its value. But such designs have won positive reviews among patients. They note the fact that prostheses are quite comfortable to use at a relatively low cost.
What to look for when choosing a doctor?
No one will argue that the quality of prosthetics will directly depend on the qualifications of the doctor. Every patient wants to be served by an experienced orthopedic dentist. Reviews from your friends will help you in the first place. As a rule, these are people who are not interested in distorting the facts. If they liked the work of a specialist, they will be happy to recommend it to their loved ones.
You also need to pay attention to the level of specialist qualification, which is documented. The patient can get acquainted with diplomas, diplomas and other documents. It is always necessary to remember that this issue should be approached responsibly. After all, you trust the doctor with your health - the most valuable thing that a person can have.