Who is an orthopedic dentist: what does he specialize in and what does this specialist treat?

Masters of dental practice are divided into several specialized specializations, the most popular of which is the orthopedic dentist. A specialist of this profile is engaged in the restoration of dentition in case of absence, surface damage, irregular shape, complete or partial destruction of teeth.

The responsibilities of a dentist include prosthetics, removing chips, and forming a healthy jaw apparatus capable of fully performing chewing and speech functions.

Dentist orthopedic dentist: who is he and what does he do?

In modern dental clinics there are many highly specialized doctors who provide medical care only for a certain type of diseases of the maxillofacial system.
A dental surgeon performs all necessary operations, an orthodontist corrects the bite using braces, a periodontist treats periodontal inflammation, and an orthopedic dentist does almost everything related to prosthetics, namely, installs dentures to restore teeth. This article will tell you in more detail about the most popular dentist - an orthopedist, and will also help you understand other specialties of dentists, which you can make an appointment with at the Dr. Stepman" on Universitetskaya metro station, Lomonosovsky Prospekt.

Reviews of doctors providing the service – Dental prosthetics

Sincere gratitude to the dentist Mikhail Ivanovich Fedoseev!
Thanks for the impeccable work! Mirkerimov F.S. 08/15/2017 Read full review Mirkerimov F.S.

15.08.2017

Together with my husband, we have been treating our teeth in the dental department of the CELT clinic for more than 10 years. The time has come to place implants, and on the advice of our general practitioner Natalya Olegovna Elizarova, I turned to surgeon Evgeniy Borisovich Antyukhin. Despite his youth, the doctor has extensive experience in… Read full review

Olga

30.05.2017

Dentists: what are they?

Dentistry is a fairly broad area of ​​medicine, which is divided into several specific areas: therapy, surgery, orthopedics, orthodontics, periodontics and others. Depending on the chosen qualifications, skills and abilities, each doctor has his own area of ​​responsibility and set of actions performed.

To understand which dentist to contact in various situations and what is the difference between an orthopedist and an orthodontist, a surgeon and a therapist, you should know the features of their activities.

Specialists often work together and closely interact with each other, because the patient may need a set of measures aimed at completely restoring the problem area of ​​the oral cavity.

Qualities that a dental technician must have

On the one hand, this profession is technical, but on the other hand, it is very creative, because the product is always modeled by hand, as it is intended exclusively for a specific person. This is due to the high individual and general aesthetic requirements on the part of the patient, which forces the master to have artistic vision and the ability to perfectly render colors. The success of prosthetics depends on the knowledge and professionalism of the specialist, so there is a list of necessary criteria that he must meet. This:

• zeal;
• extreme accuracy;
• high accuracy;
• desire to work with hands;
• presence of aesthetic perception;
• the ability to recreate all the variety of different texture characteristics of an object in the imagination;
• spatial thinking;
• ability of clear color perception;
• having a good eye;
• Impeccable hand control and developed fine motor skills.

In addition, in his work, a dental technician uses information from the fields of chemistry and physics, applies mathematical knowledge, and a little anatomy. He must have the skills of a welder and milling machine, and at the present stage of development of the profession, he must also know 3D computer modeling.

As in any profession and field of activity, there are specific medical contraindications. These include:

• hearing impairment or loss;
• poor eyesight;
• mental disorders;
• neurological diseases;
• deviations in mental development;
• traumatic brain injury;
• problems with coordination or presence of tremors;
• hand injuries;
• epilepsy;
• chronic diseases of infectious nature;
• serious speech problems;
• dermatitis or other skin diseases.

Dentist-therapist

It all usually starts with this dentist. People come to him when they are worried about toothache or other symptoms associated with the maxillofacial area. He conducts diagnostics and an initial examination, establishes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment, and gives referrals to specialized specialists. His competence includes standard problems: caries, infectious diseases and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

Dentist-therapist:

• cleans channels;
• removes nerves;
• installs seals;
• removes tartar and plaque;
• restores teeth;
• performs sanitation of the oral cavity before prosthetics or other dental procedures.

What tests should be taken to install prostheses and implants?

Implantation is a full-fledged operation, albeit a minimally invasive one, so before it it is necessary to undergo tests so that the doctor can make sure there are no contraindications. Basic laboratory tests include:

• general blood analysis;
• analysis for infectious diseases - HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, to ensure the safety of treatment;
• a platelet test that determines coagulability is prescribed if the patient suffers from increased bleeding gums;
• If diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, a blood glucose test is prescribed.

In some cases, consultation with other specialists may be required. They are usually necessary if there are chronic diseases - cardiovascular, respiratory tract and others.

Free prosthetics if you have a compulsory medical insurance policy does not give you the right to choose a doctor

Dental surgeon

This doctor comes to the rescue if conventional treatments are ineffective and drastic solutions are needed that require surgical intervention.

Dental surgeon:

• removes teeth, tumors and cysts;
• eliminates acquired and congenital defects;
• opens foci of abscess and other inflammations;
• prepares the jaw for prosthetics and performs implantation;
• deals with restoration and plastic surgery of the jaw, as well as any other operations in the oral cavity.

Dentist-orthodontist

This doctor deals with dental disorders associated with malocclusion, which he corrects with the help of braces, mouthguards, plates and other devices. These can be genetic, congenital, age-related, acquired as a result of a disease or deformation anomaly:

• individual teeth;
• dental arches;
• jaws.
• Designs for correcting bite

There are several other important specialties among dentists:

• Periodontist. Treats periodontal diseases, which is a complex of tissues surrounding the teeth and ensuring their fixation.
• Children's dentist. It differs from an adult dentist, since milk teeth, developing jaws and the child’s psyche have their own characteristics. This requires certain knowledge for proper treatment.
• Dental Technician. Engaged in the manufacture of dentures in dental laboratories.
• But the main direction that makes it possible to restore teeth even in cases where other dentists are unable to help is dental orthopedics.

Stages of prosthetics

The work is carried out in 3 stages:

• Preparation - if you plan to rely on implants, then bone tissue is built up. To firmly secure the crown, the specialist removes the nerve, fills the root and levels the surface. Grinding removes no more than 0.5 mm of tooth bone if veneers are installed. The trauma to tissue is much lower if lumineers are fixed.
• Creation of a prosthesis - the production of a model is carried out strictly according to X-ray photographs and casts of the client’s jaw in order to achieve maximum accuracy.
• Fixation - the prosthesis is pre-aligned during fitting. The specialist changes the color, shadows and texture to achieve 100% consistency with natural teeth.

It is worth noting that nerve removal is not always carried out. In some cases, this is impractical, since tissue destruction is significantly accelerated. But there are also advantages - tooth stability improves and pain is eliminated. Therefore, the decision must be made by a specialist during diagnosis.

Orthopedics as a field of dentistry

In general, orthopedics is a large branch of the medical system that deals with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and orthopedics in dentistry is only an independent part of it.

Dental orthopedics specializes in eliminating problems with the masticatory-speech apparatus and is based on restoring its function and integrity through the installation of dentures. This procedure is called prosthetics.

You should contact dental orthopedics if:

1. Lamellar prosthesis: missing teeth - from one to completely edentulous;
2. tooth decay is observed - both complete and partial;
3. increased mobility or sensitivity of the teeth, and there are also other problems with the tissues and bones of the jaw - periodontal disease, periodontitis, etc.;
4. there are cosmetic defects - the shape, size, color do not match or other aesthetic defects are noticeable;
5. pathology of the temporomandibular joint has been established;
6. This visit to the orthopedist was recommended by another dentist who, during examination or treatment, considered such a visit necessary.
7. Appointments in orthopedic offices are conducted by specialized highly specialized doctors of a high category - orthopedic dentists.

Orthopedic dentistry

The main goal of prosthetic dentistry is to eliminate problems associated with the masticatory apparatus by installing special dentures, removable or fixed. In parallel, this medical industry solves the following problems:

• Prevention and diagnosis of speech apparatus anomalies.
• Treatment of jaw diseases using a variety of orthopedic structures.
• Maintaining the attractive appearance of restored teeth.

Thus, all efforts are aimed at eliminating any dental anomalies that can reduce the patient’s quality of life. Active work is underway to restore the aesthetics and full functions of the dental system.

Orthopedic dentist: what does he do?

The responsibilities of this doctor include restoring the dentition. An orthopedist, due to the consonant name and similar goals, is often identified with an orthodontist. But there is a significant difference between them - an orthodontist corrects crooked teeth and problematic bites using braces, and an orthopedist restores teeth, or rather, their outer and inner parts, using prosthetics. Therefore, he is sometimes also called a prosthetist.

An orthopedist or dental prosthetist helps in solving all of the above problems, for which it is recommended to contact orthopedic dentistry.

What troubles can you get rid of with the help of a dental orthopedist:

Constant feeling of psychological discomfort. The absence of one or more teeth spoils the aesthetic appearance of the face and even its symmetry, which makes a person feel insecure and uncomfortable. The same sensations can be caused by dental defects: chips, curvatures, crevices, etc. Especially in the “smile zone.” This is where the help of a prosthetist should come in handy.

The next problem that occurs with insufficient teeth is no less important - significant disturbances in chewing function. It needs quick recovery, because it stimulates the natural processes of the entire dental system, restoring its normal functioning: muscle tone, nutrition and blood circulation of bone tissue cells. Normal chewing function is not only beneficial for health and metabolic processes in the body, but also helps in the fight against periodontal disease.

The threat of tooth loss due to its continuous destruction. It happens that a tooth has completely healthy roots, but its outer bone tissue has already begun to deteriorate, to such an extent that the filling is no longer effective. To stop the destructive process and save the tooth, avoiding its complete loss, you need to contact orthopedic dentistry.

A dental orthopedist also treats complete edentia, which allows people who are missing all their teeth to lead a normal life.

In all these situations, veneers, inlays, crowns, dentures or other protective structures will save the situation. Their installation or prosthetics is exactly what an orthopedic dentist does.

In what cases is it worth going to a specialist?

You should contact a professional if you have the following deviations:

1. The dental unit can no longer be restored. If neither fillings nor other treatments help, then you should at least consult an orthopedic dentist. This situation occurs especially often when the baby has severe caries.
2. Fluorosis. If there is too much fluoride in a child's body, tooth damage cannot be avoided. So if you don’t want inflammation to occur, have the damaged area removed by an orthopedic dentist.
3. The child has consequences of dental trauma. For example, a child knocks out or severely damages a tooth. In this case, the doctor will help restore the damaged tooth element.
4. Too early loss of baby teeth. With this problem, the molars may not have enough space to erupt and secure. The doctor will help you choose a retainer for the child that will preserve space for the formation of the radical elements.

Types of dentures

The choice of type of prosthetics depends on many factors. Here the role is played by the condition, number and location of the teeth, the individual characteristics of the patient, pricing policy and other circumstances. The difference in what the orthopedic dentist does in each individual case lies in the techniques used and the prostheses used.

Microprosthetics

Suitable for situations where you need to restore a deformed or damaged tooth. The following prostheses are used:

1. Veneers. The doctor places them if there are minor defects in the front teeth: chips, cracks, curvature, discoloration. Veneers are thin ceramic plates up to 0.7 mm wide that completely follow the shape of the tooth, are installed in one appointment and last up to 10 years.
2. Lumineers. They are placed when, for some reason, veneers are contraindicated for the patient. These pads are slightly different from each other. The difference is that lumineers are thinner (0.3 mm), more difficult to get used to, hide defects less, and are more prone to breakage.
3. Tabs. They are very similar to fillings, but they also have some differences: they last longer, are made of durable ceramics, are able to recreate the shape of the tooth, and are also used when the filling is ineffective.

Features of prosthetics

Moscow clinics offer various types of dental prosthetics

. However, it is important to remember the correct selection of techniques and structures for restoration. They directly depend on which teeth need prosthetics.

Features of prosthetics of anterior teeth

The front teeth enter the smile zone. They are clearly visible when the patient talks and smiles, and therefore their appearance plays an important role, and the prosthetics themselves must be carried out as quickly as possible. Based on patient reviews of prosthetics for anterior teeth, prostheses made from ceramics and zirconium dioxide have proven themselves to be effective. They cannot be distinguished from real teeth. High demands on aesthetics lead to increased attention not only to the crown of the tooth, but also to the gums. Often, in order for it to look properly, measures are required to eliminate its recession (changing the level of its surface, causing exposure of the tooth root). Experienced orthopedists and technicians even pay attention to the color of the crown. Special equipment helps them with this. As a result, the cervical part of the crown acquires a yellowish tint, the middle part becomes lighter, and the edges are made transparent. In this way, the most accurate imitation of “native” teeth is achieved.

Features of prosthetics for chewing teeth

Unlike the front teeth (for which the primary role is played by aesthetics and natural appearance), the chewing teeth, first of all, must be functional. This means that they must be as durable as possible, capable of ensuring thorough chewing of food, since they will bear the main load. Prosthetics can be performed in different ways:

• Using removable dentures made of acrylic or nylon;
• With the use of partially removable dentures: plate or clasp, dentures on telescopic crowns;
• Using fixed prostheses: metal, ceramic, metal-ceramic crowns, titanium inlays, bridges;
• Based on implants.

Materials for prosthetics Prices for dental prosthetics largely depend on the material from which the orthopedic structure is made. Based on the characteristics of the application, not all materials are suitable for the manufacture of dentures. The requirements for them are as follows:

• Biological compatibility with human tissues;
• Resistance to human biological fluids;
• Absolute hypoallergenic, inability to cause allergies;
• Complete absence of smell and taste;
• Appropriate aesthetic and physical characteristics.

Metal has long been the most popular material for dentures. Gradually it gave way to more modern, durable and lightweight materials. Currently, the most commonly used prostheses are those based on metal-ceramics - first, a metal frame is made, then covered with ceramics. The second most popular material is ceramics or so-called. "zinc oxide". The main advantage is complete biocompatibility. Ceramics are completely hypoallergenic. It quite accurately imitates the natural color of teeth, even in terms of light transmittance, copying the properties of natural tooth enamel.

Another material used is plastic. It is actively used in the creation of artificial teeth, and also as a basis for removable dentures. Acrylic plastics are most often used in dental prosthetics. The gradual spread of nylon and polyurethane prostheses in our country is a marketing ploy by some doctors and clinics offering structures made from these materials as permanent prostheses. Despite the fact that they were originally invented and used all over the world only as temporary removable structures.

Microdental prosthetics

Removable dentures

Removable dentures are inexpensive, easy to install, and easy to care for. These dentures come in several types: plate, clasp, suction cups, butterflies. Removable structures are most often used:

• with edentia - if there are missing teeth on one or both jaws;
• for elderly people - other types of prostheses are more expensive and may not be well tolerated by the elderly;
• for children - when early loss of baby teeth can cause crooked dentition.
• Fixed structures

Fixed dentures are durable and reliable, have an attractive appearance, and are made from different materials, which makes it possible to provide prosthetics to people with any financial capabilities. These include:

1. crowns are prostheses that are placed in a wide variety of situations, but most of all they are suitable for frontal single molars;
2. Bridges are an excellent solution when several teeth are missing in a row;
3. dentures on implants - this design will last a lifetime, but it also costs accordingly.
4. Fixed orthopedic structures

Based on the results of this article, we can conclude that an orthopedic dentist treats all types of tooth loss, up to their complete absence. Today, insufficient dentition is not a problem, because to solve it you just need to go to one of the many clinics where qualified prosthetists work.

Cost of services

If you need professional help from an orthopedic dentist, our clinic offers the services of specialists with many years of experience. The price of dental services depends on the complexity and type of work:

• Fixed prosthetics - from 700 rubles;
• The cost of a removable denture is from 3,300 rubles;
• Clasp structures - from 22,000 rubles;
• Installation of implants - from 5,000 rubles;
• The price of veneers, crowns or inlays is from 700 rubles.

Orthopedists provide a full list of additional services that a client may need, starting with an examination and ending with the manufacture and installation of a prosthesis according to individual parameters.