Conditions Treated by a Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist is a dentist who focuses on treating complex dental and facial conditions. Prosthodontists diagnose and treat many oral issues, including bruxism, tooth loss, and jaw issues. The professionals also specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Your prosthodontist in Huntington Beach, CA, can also work with other medical professionals treating head and neck deformities and replacing missing parts of your jaw and face. General dentists can attend to dental issues, but prosthodontists are highly trained in dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and temporomandibular disorders. Prosthodontists can treat many oral conditions, and here are some.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where you temporarily pause breathing during sleep. The condition can happen if your airway blocks or the brain does not control your breathing appropriately. You are more likely to have sleep apnea if you are obese, as you age over sixty years, or take opioid pain medications. If your sleep apnea is mild or you cannot tolerate the Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) machine, your prosthodontist can prescribe an oral appliance to manage your condition. The device repositions your jaw or tongue, improving airflow during sleep.

Oral cancer restoration

Prosthodontists are trained to coordinate and lead restorative treatment for oral cancer patients. Oral cancer is a common condition affecting about fifty-three thousand Americans yearly. The problem mostly affects tobacco users. After your jawbone is restored, your prosthodontist may use dental implants and prosthetic teeth to restore your mouth’s appearance and chewing ability. Dental implants are small titanium screws your prosthodontist inserts into your jawbone to replace the root of a tooth.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition where you regularly grind your teeth. It can lead to fractured or loosened teeth, tooth loss, pain in your temporomandibular joint, jaw, and neck muscles, and a change in your facial profile. Stress is the main cause of bruxism in adults, while in adults, it can result from allergies, misaligned teeth, obstructive sleep apnea, or mouth irritation. Your prosthodontist can recommend a night guard to help treat your bruxism. The provider can also prescribe a muscle relaxant to take before you sleep.

Missing teeth

Tooth loss can result from injuries, gum diseases, or cavities. Tooth loss can lead to jaw deterioration, poor facial structure, misalignment of adjacent teeth, or gum pain. Depending on the cause of your tooth loss, your prosthodontist can recommend dental implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures. Replacing lost teeth helps prevent future oral issues and improves your dental look and smile.

Cleft lip and cleft palate

A cleft lip and palate are openings in your baby’s upper lip or roof of the mouth. They happen as the fetus develops in the womb. Treatment for these conditions includes surgery and may involve speech therapy and dental work. Your prosthodontist may recommend a dental bridge to replace missing teeth or special speech appliances to close the nose from the mouth, making speech more normal. Your prosthodontist coordinates the treatment with the help of your oral surgeon and speech pathologist.

A prosthodontist focuses on treating complex dental and facial conditions. The professionals can treat many oral problems, including sleep apnea, bruxism, oral cancer restoration, missing teeth, and cleft lip and palate. Schedule an appointment at Orange Coast Dental Specialty to replace missing teeth with trained and experienced prosthodontists.