Monday, June 25, 2012

Napa Dentist and Dental Implants & Dentures by Steven M. Mansfield

Since opening the practice doors in 1986, Valley Prosthodontics primary goal is to serve the patient with the highest level of professional dental care in an environment of compassion, courtesy, and confidence.

They are dedicated to keeping skills sharp and ears open. Valley Prosthodontics invites everyone to share their hopes and concerns, and to fully participate in the treatment process. The staff is hoping that your experience with them will lead to recommendation to your family and friends.

Why a Prosthodontics

Prosthodontists is a licensed dentist with two to three years of additional specialized training in dental prosthetics—the replacement and repair of missing or damaged teeth.

Prosthodontics’ routinely collaborate with general dentists and other specialists, and are specially qualified to provide advanced dental care involving crowns, bridges, implants, and removable dentures. We also perform routine screening for oral cancer and TMJ disorders, as well as more sophisticated reconstruction involving the teeth and hard and soft tissues of the mouth and face.

Services

An immediate denture is a full or partial denture which is placed immediately following the extraction of natural teeth. Extractions are performed very comfortably with local anesthesia or oral sedation. The principal benefit of an immediate denture is that it protects the patient from the inconvenience and possible embarrassment of being without teeth. The denture itself can also aid in the post-surgical healing process by protecting tissues and reducing bleeding.

Percelain Crowns, Bridges & Veneers

A crown is a dental restoration that covers all or most of the visible portion of the tooth. It is used when a tooth has become damaged by decay or trauma, or to improve appearance.

A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth, is non-removable and natural feeling. This useful procedure involves joining a prosthetic tooth to sturdy crowns on either side. These crowns are then cemented over a patient’s natural teeth, effectively “bridging” the gap in between. A bridge may also utilize dental implants for support when several teeth are missing.

Veneers are thin coverings of porcelain or composite which are placed upon the visible surface of the tooth. They are primarily applied to front teeth and are used for aesthetic purposes. They can restore, lengthen, brighten and reshape teeth, often dramatically improving a person’s smile.

Natural Looking Partial & complete Dentures

Full and partial dentures are removable prosthetic appliances used to replace missing teeth. They may allow a patient to enjoy a greater variety of foods, while promoting a more youthful and natural face structure and smile.

Extractions & immediate Dentures

An immediate denture is a full or partial denture which is placed immediately following the extraction of natural teeth. Extractions are performed very comfortably with local anesthesia or oral sedation. The principal benefit of an immediate denture is that it protects the patient from the inconvenience and possible embarrassment of being without teeth. The denture itself can also aid in the post-surgical healing process by protecting tissues and reducing bleeding.

Implant Prosthodontics

For most patients, dental implants provide the most attractive, permanent, and functional replacement for missing teeth. The implant is placed into the jaw where it serves as a sturdy and durable foundation upon which a prosthetic tooth (crown) is securely placed.

Implants can also be used to secure dentures, greatly improving their stability, comfort and function. The implant itself serves as an anchor to the jaw and aids in maintaining the natural shape of the face.

The computer and medical worlds are both working hard to develop small and smaller components. In similar fashion, a smaller version of the dental implant has been successfully utilized in selected cases.

These mini implants (1.8mm diameter) enable your dentist to broaden the spectrum of patients that can be treated. The Sendax MDI System was developed in order to provide greater denture stability for those patients who cannot withstand thee rigors of conventional implant surgery, do not have enough bone to allow for full-sized implants to be placed, or are in on-going therapy from one prosthetic system to another.

What are MDI Implants?

The MDI System consists of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of your tooth, and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture. The head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

TMJ Therapy

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge which connects the lower jaw to the skull. Trauma or disease to the TMJ can cause problems such as jaw pain, headaches and earaches. Special diagnostic skills are used to help determine the best treatment for TMJ dysfunction sufferers.

Valley Prosthodontics with D.M.D. Steven Mansfield has offices in the towns of Napa and Sonoma.

For questions about Dental Implants and Dentures services call Valley Prosthodontics at (707) 252-1950