Fixed prosthodontics is a dental specialty focused on restoring both the function and aesthetics of damaged or missing teeth. This field involves the design and placement of custom-made restorations that replace structures lost to decay, trauma, or disease. Because the formal terminology can be confusing, patients and dental staff often use simpler names for this type of care.
Identifying the Common Term
The most common and simplified term used by patients and dental staff is “Prosthodontics.” The field’s primary focus is the restoration and replacement of teeth and oral structures. A slightly broader term often used interchangeably is “Restorative Dentistry,” which covers procedures aimed at returning a tooth to its normal function and appearance.
Prosthodontists are recognized specialists who manage everything from basic tooth repair to full-mouth reconstruction. They treat complex conditions, including severe tooth loss, congenital defects, and jaw joint problems. Their approach ensures that replacement teeth look natural and function correctly within the entire oral system.
Permanent Restorations and Procedures
Fixed prosthodontics uses dental devices permanently attached to existing teeth or dental implants. These custom-made restorations are fabricated in a laboratory and are cemented or bonded into place.
Procedures include:
- Dental crowns, which are caps that fully cover a single damaged or weakened tooth, providing strength and protection.
- Dental bridges, which span a gap created by missing teeth. A bridge is supported by crowns placed on adjacent teeth or implants, with the replacement tooth (pontic) suspended between them.
- Veneers, which are thin layers bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its shape or color.
- Dental implant restorations, which involve placing the final crown onto the titanium fixture secured in the jawbone.
Distinguishing Fixed from Removable Solutions
The term “fixed” defines this branch of restorative care and distinguishes it from other prosthetic options. Fixed devices are permanently cemented, bonded, or screwed into the mouth and can only be removed by a dental professional. This permanence offers superior stability, mimicking the feel and function of natural teeth, allowing for normal eating and speaking.
In contrast, removable prosthodontics, such as complete or partial dentures, are appliances the patient can take out for cleaning. While removable options are often more economical, they offer less stability and may be associated with long-term bone loss compared to fixed, implant-supported solutions. Choosing between a fixed or removable solution depends on the patient’s oral health condition, bone density, and restorative goals.
Specialized Training and Expertise
A general dentist often refers patients to a prosthodontist for complex restorative needs. After four years of dental school, a prosthodontist completes an additional three years of intensive, accredited post-doctoral training. This residency focuses on mastering complex procedures, dental materials science, and the dynamics of occlusion, or how the upper and lower teeth meet.
This extended education ensures a deep understanding of comprehensive oral rehabilitation, including the planning and execution of full-mouth reconstructions. The specialist’s expertise in treating complex cases allows for predictable, long-lasting functional and aesthetic outcomes.