Dentistry includes many highly specialized specialists. The main focus is therapy. It is in the therapist’s office that the initial examination of the patient, and the collection of anamnesis, are carried out. Depending on the diagnosis, he can refer to doctors of related specialties. In the article, we will tell you what an orthopedic dentist means – who he is, what he does, and what this dentist treats adults and children.
Orthopedics as a field of medicine
This medical section is responsible for the therapy of the musculoskeletal system. For example, doctors eliminate problems with the spine, flat feet, and so on.
When it comes to dentistry, a specialist helps to cope with disorders and restores the functionality of the chewing and speech apparatus. Thanks to prosthetics, he restores the integrity of the jaw. This allows you to return to a normal lifestyle, chew food normally and communicate with other people without embarrassment and speech defects.
What does an orthopedic dentist do?
This doctor is often confused with an orthodontist. However, orthodontics is a different specialty. The doctor in this case corrected crooked teeth, and malocclusion using braces and removable dentures.
Orthopedics does not mean correction, but the partial or complete restoration of a row. When one or more dental units are missing, this leads to significant physical and psychological discomfort. Firstly, if the patient loses the ability to chew food normally, his speech may be impaired. Secondly, it provokes a load on neighboring tissues, because of which they can also suffer premature wear. Thirdly, a person begins to experience embarrassment, he develops complexes, which is badly reflected in the psycho-emotional state. An orthopedic dentist helps to solve these problems, which means that he makes life more comfortable.
The following procedures are performed in the orthopedic office:
- Restoration of the enameled surface and bone structures with the preservation of roots and nerves;
- Installation of a specialized crown on a tooth that is undergoing destruction in order to stop it;
- Production of prosthetic systems;
- Getting rid of aesthetic defects (for example, cracks, chips, bumps, pigmentation, and so on).
Medical protocols are clearly defined. Qualified specialists always follow the generally accepted rules and use proven therapy regimens. This avoids dangerous consequences in the form of side reactions.
Recovery of chewing function
Thorough chewing of food is the key to the normal functioning of the digestive tract. When it occurs with violations, the entire dentoalveolar system suffers. Muscle tone decreases, and blood circulation in soft tissues and bone structures slows down. Because of this, the general condition of the patient worsens. It is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible, since in advanced cases, the development of inflammatory processes begins, provoking periodontitis or periodontal disease.
Preservation of teeth
It often happens that a person comes to the dental office with a completely destroyed crown part, which makes it impossible to install a filling, but the roots remain intact. This happens as a result of untreated caries or as a result of injury.
Treatment of dementia
In the absence of the entire dentition, you also need to contact a specialist from the field of orthopedics. He can restore it with the help of removable and fixed prostheses that will replace lost teeth. And in terms of functionality and appearance, implants are no different from them.
Indications for an appointment
- You should visit the orthopedic office if you experience the following symptoms:
- The absence of one or more units in the oral cavity as a result of removal or prolapse;
- Partial or complete destruction of the crown part;
- Mobility and high sensitivity;
- Pathology of gum tissues and bone structures (periodontal disease, periodontitis);
- Aesthetic defects (irregular shape, different sizes, spots, and so on);
- Violation of the temporomandibular apparatus;
- A referral from a therapist or a doctor of any other specialty in dentistry is also the basis for visiting an orthopedic dentist.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic methods are selected depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. For example, the following studies may be assigned:
- A panoramic x-ray of the jaw;
- Orthopantomogram;
- X-ray and others.
You also need to undergo an examination a few months after prosthetics to make sure that the implant has taken root, and everything went well. Therefore, it must be borne in mind that it will be necessary to come to dentistry more than once.
In addition to instrumental diagnostics, an appointment with specialists in related specialties can be scheduled. For example, an orthodontist consultation.
When all the necessary information is collected, a further treatment regimen is drawn up. All responsibility for choosing a system and successful engraftment lies with him.
What is an active lifestyle? Why is it so popular and what are the benefits?
Therapy Methods
In his work, the doctor uses various technologies. Let us consider in detail what a pediatric and adult dentist, an orthopedic dentist, and what types of crowns install and monitor their survival.
Metal-ceramic
This is the most common and popular type of fixed structure. The basis is a cap made of an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and titanium, coated with ceramics. Advantages:
- adequate cost;
- aesthetic appearance, dentures cannot be distinguished from real teeth with the naked eye;
- service life – 5-10 years (if you follow all the recommendations of a care specialist, then the period of use will be maximum).
This option is one of the best methods for solving problems with the health and aesthetics of dentition. It allows you to restore its integrity in case of damage to the coronal part by 50% or more. It is resorted to in cases where it is impossible to eliminate problems with the jaw with therapeutic methods, there is a risk of completely losing the chewing function.
Important! You should carefully approach the choice of an orthopedic dentist who will make prosthetics, and install crowns because the technology requires the selection of high-quality materials (the presence of impurities in their composition leads to oxidation in the oral cavity – and this is what can provoke an inflammatory process with the resulting complications).
Made from zirconia
This method is considered the most advanced. Many experts recommend it because of the following advantages:
- Biotolerance;
- Excellent quality;
- Aesthetic appearance due to good light penetration, a large selection of different shades, which allows you to choose the most natural tone;
- There is no likelihood of an allergic reaction;
- High strength and durability;
- No risk of oxidation in the mouth;
- Lightness (this option has the smallest weight, due to which the patient quickly gets used to it, and does not experience any discomfort).
The cap is made of zirconium dioxide and covered with ceramic on top. It is made using innovative technologies, namely, computer scanning. A special scanner analyzes plaster models of prostheses, and evaluates and controls the situation in the oral cavity. The next step is virtual simulation. When the model is ready for production, the computer sets the program to the milling machine, which makes it.
Since the entire process is fully automated, there is no possibility of human error. It is possible to achieve the highest accuracy (up to the tenth microns) of fit. The orthopedist does not have to then adjust the structure to the restored tooth.
Metal-free ceramics
Such crowns are considered the most aesthetic. The light beam passes much deeper through the installed prosthesis, conveying the natural shade as much as possible. The composition of the material is completely free of metal, which can distort the natural tone.
Such implants are most often used on anterior dental units, which are clearly visible when talking and smiling. At the same time, there is no need for preparation for installation, which allows for achieving maximum aesthetics.
Clasp
This is a type of removable prosthetic. This solution is resorted to in cases where it is not possible to install a fixed system, or the patient cannot afford it because of the cost.
Such a crown is a structure consisting of a pair of supports, between which are artificial teeth. They are attached to the base of a metal or plastic arch that mimics the gum. Fixation is carried out using special locks.
Thanks to the installation of these prostheses, the chewing function is fully restored, and the load is evenly distributed between the remaining dental units and the mucous membrane.
Production takes place in four stages:
- A plaster model is created.
- Based on it, a crown prototype is made, which is scanned on computer equipment.
- Based on the scan, the frame of the clasp structure is modeled on a computer.
- The finished model is sintered and milled, which is installed in the patient’s oral cavity.
This variant of prosthetics has the following advantages:
- The high degree of reliability, time-tested;
- Minimal surgical intervention;
- Low cost;
- A small number of contraindications for health reasons;
- Complete restoration of chewing function and aesthetics.
However, before choosing this technology, you need to familiarize yourself with its disadvantages:
- Possible discomfort in the first weeks of wearing. It largely depends on the mood of the person himself. At first, the crown may interfere, and there is a desire to remove it. However, if you have psychologically set yourself up to wear a prosthesis, everything will be as successful as possible for you.
- The clasp system needs quality care. It is important to remove it 2 times a day (morning and evening) to cleanse. After that, it is again installed in the oral cavity.
- The load on the bone structures will be only superficial. Because of this, the bone dries out, and loses in volume. Therefore, every 6 months it is necessary to visit the dental office for relocation.
Also, note that this type of prosthetic has contraindications. For example, a deep bite, lower abutment teeth or their absence, and so on. A complete list will be announced by the doctor during the consultation.
Fixed dentures
This group includes crowns, veneers, and inlays. They are securely fixed in the oral cavity. The patient is unable to remove them on his own. If this needs to be done for any reason, such as damage, you must make an appointment at the dental clinic.
Separately, I want to talk about the recovery tabs. These are designs that are a more modern alternative to filling material. They are manufactured in our own dental laboratory.
Unlike fillings, they are more durable and aesthetically pleasing. However, their cost will be higher, and for installation, you will need to visit the dentist at least 2 times. These elements are made of ceramic or ceramic composite (durable composition, including ceramic chips).
Also in dental practice, pin-stump tabs are used. They are used in cases where crown prosthetics are planned. Their production is also carried out in the laboratory. They are a seal located on a pin. They are installed in the dental cavity (the canal must first be unsealed). Structures can be made of various materials: cobalt-chromium or gold alloy, zirconium dioxide, and ceramic composite.
Implantation
This technology is considered the most advanced to date. True, its cost is higher than that of other methods of restoring teeth, but it pays off due to the durability of the system. It is indicated for almost all patients with complete or partial dementia. Allows you to save not only aesthetics but also the health of both the chewing apparatus and the body as a whole.
This technique has the following advantages:
- Preservation of the structure and volume of bone tissue;
- No need for a turn;
- Aesthetic appearance;
- Long service life (lifetime use subject to all the recommendations of a specialist);
- Rapid engraftment and adaptation of a person to the design;
- Ease of hygiene.
This procedure is a surgical intervention during which an implant is implanted into the jawbone. It replaces the tooth root. That is, unlike conventional prosthetics, in which prostheses are attached to neighboring teeth, this technology involves the implantation in one’s own tissues. Therefore, it is more reliable.
Please note that before implantation, you need to undergo a full diagnostic examination, as there are contraindications to its implementation. In addition, before the manipulation it is necessary to cure all existing problems in the mouth, it may be necessary to involve specialists in related specialties.
Also, keep in mind that the whole process will take a lot of time. The implant is not installed in one day. Depending on the technique used, rehabilitation may take from several weeks to six months.
Summing up
The staff of the dental clinic “Dentica” told us who an orthopedic dentist is, what he does, what he treats, what problems he solves in adults, and how he differs from other dentists. This is a very important specialty in dentistry, which allows you to return all the functions of the chewing and speech apparatus and the aesthetics of your smile. No one is immune from tooth loss. This may not necessarily be associated with pathologies or poor-quality hygiene procedures. This also happens as a result of injury. If this happens, you should not panic and worry, because the integrity of the jaw can be restored in the orthopedic office.
Keywords: