Prosthodontics – Dental Prosthetics

Serving Patients in Vancouver WA

Are you considering dental implants to restore your smile? Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry provides comprehensive prosthodontics services to help residents replace missing teeth with natural-looking, long-lasting solutions. We deliver high-quality prosthetics without requiring a referral to a separate specialist for most cases.

Prosthodontics is a branch of dentistry focused on designing, creating, and fitting tooth replacements. Dental prosthetics are the custom restorations themselves.

During the dental implant process, we first place a temporary prosthetic while your implant heals. Once healing is complete, we remove the temporary restoration and replace it with a permanent crown or bridge. They’re customized specifically for your face and mouth. These final implant prosthetics are typically permanent and non-removable, giving you a confident, functional smile.

Prosthodontics vs Dental Prosthetics: Differences to Know

	Prosthodontics	Dental Prosthetics
Definition	A specialized branch of dentistry focused on designing, creating, and fitting tooth and mouth replacements	The actual dental appliances and restorations used to replace missing teeth or oral structures
Who Provides It	Prosthodontists (specialists) or general dentists with prosthodontic training	Any qualified dental provider
Focus Areas	Fixed, removable, implant, and maxillofacial restorations	Individual replacement teeth and appliances

How Long Do Dental Prosthetics Last?

With proper care, your implant prosthetics and dental restorations can last a lifetime. Here’s how to maximize longevity:

• Maintain excellent oral hygiene. Brush twice daily and floss regularly.
• Keep up with scheduled dental cleanings. Regular professional care is essential.
• Avoid hard foods. These can damage crowns, bridges, and other prosthetics.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools. Opening packages or tearing materials can cause damage.

Without proper care, you may develop gum disease or other complications that could cause your dental prosthetic to loosen or fail. Good oral hygiene is always important, but it’s especially critical when you have prosthetic dental implants or other artificial teeth.

Cost Considerations

The cost of your prosthodontics treatment depends on several factors:

• Type of prosthetic: Crowns, bridges, and implant-supported dentures vary in price.
• Materials used: Premium materials like porcelain or ceramic may cost more than acrylic or metal.
• Complexity of your case: More extensive restoration needs may require additional procedures.
• Number of teeth being replaced: Single-tooth implants differ in cost from full-arch restorations.
• Preparatory treatments: Some patients need bone grafting or extractions before receiving prosthetics.

During your consultation, we’ll provide a personalized treatment plan with transparent pricing so you can make the best decision for your smile and budget.

Types of Dental Prosthetics

Dental Crowns

• Materials include both porcelain and ceramic, although they can also be composed of acrylic, different metals, and even gold.
• The porcelain and ceramic options can be customized to match the natural color of your teeth.
• Customized for your face and jaw, crowns look and function just like real teeth.
• Dental crowns are used to remedy a variety of dental issues, but for dental implants, the crown is placed on the end of the implant.

Tooth Bridges

• These are available in a variety of materials and are designed to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth.
• Just like dental crowns, they are also created in a dental lab.
• The bridge is either permanently attached to two anchor teeth or attached via clasps.
• Designed to match the natural color of your teeth.

Dentures

• Unlike conventional removable dentures, this type of denture is permanent.
• This is a good choice for patients missing all or most of their teeth.
• These dentures are permanently placed on the teeth supported by dental implants.
• They function just like natural teeth and will give you the confidence you have been seeking.
• Manufactured in a specialized dental lab, implant-supported dentures fit your face perfectly.

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Find Out if Dental Implant Prosthetics Are Right for You

Wondering if dental prosthetics are the right choice for you? The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with our team. Prosthodontic treatments can:

• Repair badly damaged teeth
• Replace missing teeth
• Improve your bite and jaw alignment
• Boost your confidence in your smile

At Lewis Family & Implant Dentistry, our caring staff is ready to answer your questions and address your concerns. Call our office at (360) 256-9171 to schedule your consultation or book your appointment here!

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