Recommended prosthodontists

What is prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the restoration and replacement of lost or damaged teeth using fixed or removable prostheses. The main objective is to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the smile, especially for patients who have suffered losses due to cavities, gum disease, or trauma. Besides restoring appearance, the treatments aim to ensure efficient chewing and improve oral health, contributing to facial harmony and increased self-esteem.

What is the difference between a prosthodontist and a general dentist?

Although a general dentist is trained to perform basic treatments and offer preventive care, such as simple restorations and cleanings, a prosthodontist is a professional with specialized training to handle more complex cases. This includes the replacement of lost teeth with implants or the use of more advanced dental prostheses.

Prosthodontists have a set of advanced skills that enable them to treat a variety of challenging conditions, such as complex oral rehabilitation, dental implants, and repair of severely damaged teeth. To ensure that you choose the most suitable professional for your needs, it is advisable to consult doctor ratings specialized in this area.

Main treatments performed by prosthodontists

Prosthodontics offers a variety of treatments, each designed to solve specific patient needs. These procedures aim to restore both the functionality and aesthetics of the smile, helping to regain confidence and improve quality of life.

Dental implants

Dental implants are the most advanced solution to replace missing teeth. They consist of small titanium pins, inserted into the maxillary or mandibular bone, which function as artificial roots. After integration with the bone, the implant receives a prosthesis, crown, or bridge, restoring masticatory function and providing a natural and durable aesthetic result.

Bridges and crowns

Dental crowns are structures that cover damaged teeth, helping to restore their shape and function. Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth, attaching to adjacent teeth. Both treatments are customized to ensure a perfect fit and a natural smile.

Dentures

Dentures are removable prostheses used to replace missing teeth, which can be partial or complete, depending on the patient's needs. Although they don't offer the fixation of implants, dentures continue to be an accessible and effective solution for those who have lost several teeth.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin porcelain sheets applied to the front of teeth to correct aesthetic problems, such as stained, worn, or slightly misaligned teeth. They are an excellent option for those looking to improve the appearance of their smile, providing natural and harmonious results.

Oral rehabilitation

Oral rehabilitation is indicated for more complex cases, such as the replacement of all teeth or the restoration of severely damaged teeth. The goal of this treatment is to provide the patient with a functional dental arch, restoring not only appearance but also the ability to chew and speak comfortably.

Technological advances in modern prosthodontics

The field of prosthodontics has experienced a technological revolution in recent years, with the implementation of CAD/CAM systems (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) that allow the creation of prostheses with millimetric precision. These technologies enable the creation of prosthetic pieces in a single consultation, reducing treatment time.

3D printing has also transformed the field, allowing the manufacturing of customized prostheses with high-strength biocompatible materials. Digital intraoral scanners replace traditional mass impressions, offering greater comfort to the patient and more precise results for prosthetic planning.

Digital prosthodontics: the future already present

The digital workflow in prosthodontics represents one of the greatest innovations in the dental sector. With high-definition intraoral scanners, the prosthodontist captures precise three-dimensional images of the patient's oral cavity, eliminating the discomfort of conventional impressions.

Virtual planning allows simulating the final result even before starting treatment, while rapid prototyping with 3D printed models aids in visualization. Computerized milling ensures the production of prosthetic pieces with microscopic precision, resulting in more efficient and comfortable treatments.

Benefits of consulting a prosthodontist

Consulting a prosthodontist offers several benefits for your oral health and general well-being. Proper treatment restores masticatory function, allowing for more efficient eating and avoiding digestive problems. Additionally, the aesthetic improvement of the smile contributes to increased self-esteem, positively impacting social and professional life.

Preventing future complications, such as displacement of remaining teeth or excessive wear, is another important benefit. Early treatment can also restore speech function, resolving pronunciation difficulties caused by missing teeth. Finding the right professional makes all the difference, and platforms like AvaliaMed can help in the search for qualified and well-evaluated specialists.

Latest generation materials in dental prostheses

The field of dental biomaterials has evolved drastically, presenting options that combine exceptional strength and natural appearance. High-performance ceramics, such as lithium disilicate and zirconia, offer superior durability and unmatched aesthetics, making them ideal choices for visible anterior restorations.

Nanoparticle-reinforced composites provide greater resistance to wear and maintenance of shine over time. In addition, hybrid materials that combine the advantages of ceramics and resin are gaining popularity for their flexibility and impact resistance.

Implant-supported prostheses: fixed and removable solutions

Implant-supported prostheses are an excellent solution for patients without teeth or partially without teeth, offering stability and functionality. These prostheses can be fixed or removable, depending on the specific needs of each person.

Fixed prostheses include options such as single crowns, multiple bridges over implants, and fixed full dentures, offering high stability. Removable solutions include attachment systems that provide greater retention and ease of cleaning.

The choice between fixed or removable systems depends on the bone condition, patient preferences, and biomechanical needs of each case, ensuring a personalized treatment for the best functional and aesthetic results.

Post-treatment care with dental prostheses

After treatment performed by the prosthodontist, it is crucial to adopt specific care to ensure the durability and proper functioning of prostheses. Keeping oral hygiene up to date is essential. Brushing teeth and using dental floss regularly helps prevent infections and complications in prostheses.

Additionally, it is important to avoid hard and sticky foods, especially during the adaptation period, to avoid damaging the prostheses. Scheduling follow-up appointments with the prosthodontist is essential, as it allows monitoring the condition of the prostheses and ensuring that everything is functioning correctly, ensuring long-term oral health.

Specific hygiene strategies for different types of prostheses

Proper maintenance of dental prostheses requires specific techniques for each type. Removable prostheses should be cleaned daily with special brushes and appropriate disinfectant solutions, never with hot water that can deform the material.

For implants and fixed prostheses, interdental brushes and oral irrigators are essential to access hard-to-reach areas. Ceramic veneers and crowns require non-abrasive pastes that preserve their polish, ensuring lasting shine without compromising the integrity of the material.

Geriatric prosthodontics: challenges and solutions

Population aging has brought new challenges for prosthodontics, with elderly patients presenting specific conditions such as dry mouth, reduced motor coordination, and decreased adaptive capacity. These factors require specialized approaches in the oral rehabilitation of the elderly.

Prostheses with ergonomic design facilitate handling by patients with limited dexterity, while softer materials offer greater comfort for sensitive mucous membranes. Treatment involving various specialists, such as geriatricians and speech therapists, has proven essential for successful results in the oral rehabilitation of the elderly.

How to choose a qualified prosthodontist?

Choosing a qualified prosthodontist is essential to ensure the success of the treatment and your satisfaction. First, verify that the professional has a specialization in prosthodontics recognized by competent bodies. This ensures that they have the necessary training to perform procedures properly and safely.

Furthermore, research evaluations from other patients to understand the quality of care. Platforms like AvaliaMed are valuable tools for finding well-evaluated professionals, offering more security in the choice. Also evaluate the prosthodontist's experience, seeking to know how they have handled cases similar to yours and what were the results. A good prosthodontist should use cutting-edge technology, such as digital scanning and computerized planning, which ensure greater precision and comfort during treatment.

Certifications and continuing education in prosthodontics

A prosthodontist of excellence keeps updated through regular continuing education. Postgraduate courses in specific areas such as advanced occlusion or digital aesthetics demonstrate the professional's commitment to quality care.

International certifications indicate that the professional meets global standards of excellence. Also check the prosthodontist's participation in recent congresses and scientific publications, clear signs of dedication to technical improvement.

The importance of regular maintenance after prosthodontic treatments

After prosthodontic treatments, regular maintenance is essential to ensure that prostheses continue to function efficiently. Continuous monitoring with your prosthodontist allows identifying initial problems, such as excessive wear or need for adjustments, before they become major complications. This not only contributes to the longevity of prostheses but also ensures that your oral health remains up to date, avoiding future discomfort or damage.

Prosthodontics and general health: the connection between mouth and body

The relationship between oral health and general health conditions has been widely documented by modern science. Patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or compromised immune systems need specialized prosthodontic care that considers their specific medical conditions.

Less allergenic materials are essential for sensitive patients, while prostheses that facilitate cleaning reduce the risk of infections. The current prosthodontist works in collaboration with doctors to create integrated treatment plans that consider the patient as a whole.

Psychological aspects of oral rehabilitation

Tooth loss and its aesthetic consequences profoundly impact patients' mental health and quality of life. Modern prosthodontics recognizes the importance of addressing not only the functional aspects but also the psychological aspects of oral rehabilitation.

Recent studies demonstrate significant improvements in depression and anxiety indices after successful prosthodontic treatments. Psychological monitoring integrated with dental treatment has proven valuable, especially in cases of complex facial reconstructions or rehabilitation after trauma.

Sustainability in prosthodontics: environmentally responsible practices

Sustainable dentistry has been gaining space in current prosthodontics, with practices that reduce environmental impact without compromising clinical quality. Digital laboratories significantly reduce material waste through additive manufacturing, in contrast to traditional techniques.

The development of biomaterials with less environmental impact, recycling systems for precious metals used in prostheses, and low-energy consumption equipment in specialized offices are some of the sustainable initiatives adopted by conscious prosthodontists.

Future trends in prosthodontics

The field of prosthodontics continues to evolve rapidly, with new technologies promising to transform treatments even more. Artificial intelligence is already being applied to optimize prosthesis design, analyzing chewing patterns and force distribution to create customized solutions with better performance.

Biological materials that stimulate natural bone growth are revolutionizing complex cases of bone loss. In the near horizon, bioprinting techniques promise the creation of dental structures with the patient's own cells, opening the way for an era of truly biological dental regeneration.

Why choose AvaliaMed for consultation with a prosthodontist

When looking for a qualified prosthodontist, it is important to choose a reliable platform that offers highly trained and specialized doctors. AvaliaMed stands out as an excellent option for finding professionals in prosthodontics, as it is a platform where doctors register and are evaluated by their own patients, providing greater transparency and trust.

In addition, AvaliaMed facilitates the search process, allowing you to search for real evaluations from other patients, choose the most suitable professional for your case, and schedule appointments simply and quickly. If you are looking for a qualified prosthodontist with a good service history to recover your smile and oral functionality, AvaliaMed is the ideal tool to make your choice with safety and confidence.