Dental News - Missing teeth should be treated as a chronic medical condition

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 3 April 2017

save

LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: Tooth loss can lead to poor nutrition and is linked to systemic diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. Missing teeth also affect a person’s psychological well-being and ability to function in the workplace. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly 40 million Americans have no teeth in one or both jaws.

During National Prosthodontics Awareness Week, April 2-8, the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Postgraduate Prosthodontics Clinic is educating the public about tooth replacement options and oral health issues.

National Prosthodontics Awareness Week is an initiative of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Prosthodontics is one of only nine recognized dental specialties by the American Dental Association (ADA). These dental specialists undergo three years of advanced residency training beyond dental school in replacement of missing teeth and oral health issues. The ACP is the ADA’s recognized association that represents and advocates on behalf of prosthodontists.

“Until recently, false teeth looked and felt false. Prosthodontists are using digital technology to change the way dentistry is practiced and producing results not possible until now. We are using new techniques to replace and restore teeth to a higher level of precision and beauty than ever before,” said Gerald T. Grant, DMD, MS, FACP, FAAMP, professor and interim chair of the Department of Oral Health and Rehabilitation, UofL School of Dentistry.

How digital dentistry is changing practice

Computers and scanning technology take tooth restoration to a new level. Teeth can be viewed in 3-D and restorations can be customized for each patient. This allows more control by the prosthodontist and better outcomes.
Prosthodontists digitally capture information from the patient’s mouth, minimizing patient discomfort and reducing the number of appointments. Specialized training equips prosthodontists to translate the information into a patient-specific crown design, implant or other solution for improved esthetics and comfort.
Prosthodontists using digital techniques and ceramic material can custom-design, fabricate and place a crown in a much shorter amount of time than in previous decades, in many cases the same day.
Traditionally, removable dentures and conventional bridges were the sole means to replace missing teeth. Now dental implants, which are virtually permanent, offer improved function and comfort. Dental implants are mechanically and biologically superior to previous restorative options and do not overload or damage surrounding teeth.

“When you lose even a single tooth, it will result in bone loss, change the bite and result in adjacent teeth moving toward the missing space. The longer a person waits to get it replaced, the more challenging the clinical situation,” Grant said.

The UofL School of Dentistry covers the full scope of prosthodontic and restorative dental care, utilizing the latest technologies in radiographic imaging, diagnostic methods, advanced surgical and restorative techniques, and dental laboratory support.

Working closely with colleagues from various dental disciplines at UofL, comprehensive treatment is available for patients with challenging dental conditions and problems. Treatment is performed by licensed dentists in UofL’s highly competitive prosthodontic residency program. Patients seeking an appointment or more information may call (502) 852-3482.

(Source: University of Louisville School of Dentistry)

To post a reply please login or register

“Dentistry should be recognized as an essential health service”

James B. Fine, Senior Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Academic and Student Affairs at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, is a tall, elegant ...

Improving restorative outcomes for endodontically treated teeth

The scientific evidence demonstrates that endodontically treated teeth fail more often due to restorative errors. In a live webinar, Alan Atlas, DMD, will ...

Oral warning signs can indicate serious medical conditions

CHICAGO, IL, USA: Regular dental exams not only help to decrease a patient’s risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, ...

ADA offers practical guide to patients with medical conditions

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: The American Dental Association (ADA) is offering a new publication, The ADA Practical Guide to Patients with Medical Conditions, to ...

California as a model for regulated medical waste disposal

California ranks first in the United States for the number of dental services provided. A survey released in 2009 by the UCLA Center for Health Policy ...

Could a tooth infection be the source of chronic sinus problems?

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: According to Dr. Michael J. Lewis, a root canal specialist, chronic sinus infections are sometimes caused by an underlying tooth ...

A clinic shows that the developmentally disabled can be treated without anesthesia

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., USA: When 40-year-old Tina Lumbley of Moreno Valley went to the We Care Dental Center for a filling last September, it was the first ...

Why orthodontists should be holistic

Orthodontics is holistic dentistry. Surely that is correct. We, as prudent orthodontists, do not just treat a malocclusion; we treat a human being who ...