Prosthodontics is also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry. It is the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prostheses (artificial teeth) to replace missing teeth. Teeth may be lost due to trauma or extractions for many reasons. One or more missing teeth can be problematic as it affects not only your bite but also the way you chew, your alignment and the structure of your jaw and face.

What does prosthodontics involve?

Prosthodontics involves the design, manufacture, and fitting of artificial replacements for teeth and the associated soft and hard tissues. These prostheses may be fixed or removable or may be supported and retained by implants into the jaw bone. Prosthodontics may involve dental implants, bridges and dentures.

Dentures

Dentures, in particular, can be full or partial prosthetic devices with numerous acrylic teeth. They are made to mimic the natural teeth, replacing them to enhance the bite, speech and facial structure for those who have lost one or more teeth. Beyond functionality, dentures can replace missing teeth and enhance the appearance of your smile. Dentures can be removable or fixed made from a range of materials. At Dr Liezl Kemp & Associates we offer flawlessly fitted dentures manufactured to a high quality.

• Full dentures
  

  Full dentures usually have numerous acrylic teeth and a flesh coloured base that fits over the gums. They can be made to be removable or fixed.

  Generally, full dentures stay in place with suction, but when fixed they are clipped on to an abutment implanted into the jawbone, to stay in place. Those that are fixed do not need suction and are, therefore, more comfortable and hygienic.

• Partial dentures
  

  Partial dentures, on the other hand, replace only a limited number of teeth.

  They replace the specific teeth and can be made from acrylic or chrome cobalt.

  Due to the design of the clasps and rests as well as the manner in which this denture clips on to the existing teeth, it is also more comfortable.