Damaged, decayed, and missing teeth can impact your health, dental function, and appearance.
Prosthodontics is the area of dentistry that aims to restore tooth damage and tooth loss.
See how Dr. Steven Fuqua at Fuqua Advanced Dental in Southlake, TX, can provide you with effective prosthodontic solutions.
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Missing teeth and dental damage can cause immense pain and result in problems when eating and speaking. Let us help you rebuild your smile quickly with our versatile solutions and state-of-the-art technology. Our office is conveniently located in Southlake Town Square.
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What Is Prosthodontics?
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty that involves the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of patients' oral health, function, and appearance. Patients who benefit from prosthodontics often include those who have suffered a face or mouth injury, have age-related tooth loss, or have clinical conditions that result in teeth and maxillofacial deficiencies.
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Restore Your Dental Function With Our Southlake Prosthodontist
Steven J. Fuqua, DDS, MS completed a three-year prosthodontics residency program in 1998 so he could provide his patients with access to high-quality restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. His clinical experience and dedication to continuous learning make him confident he can handle all aspects of your treatment.
From a damaged tooth to entire arches of missing teeth, we can provide you with a comfortable solution that restores your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. If you could benefit from treatment, we invite you to contact us with our form or call our office that's located in Southlake Town Square:
(817) 410-8765
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"This is the place to go"
Sherry Berman
2022
If you need an implant or bridge, this is the place to go. Dr. Fuqua is great, he explains everything before it will happen. When I went in to consult with him on my mouth, he took over an hour to explain everything to me. I never felt he was rushed to see the next patient.
Joan Gregory
2021
Dr. Fuqua's office is always a pleasant experience! His staff is personable and very accommodating! My husband had to have all of his teeth removed, due to radiation treatments from cancer. Just watching Dr. Fuqua shows me that he is a perfectionist, and I'm sure my husband's final set of teeth will be amazing!
Why Choose a Prosthodontist Instead of a Traditional Dentist?
In addition to achieving a bachelor's degree and completing dental school, prosthodontists must complete an additional three years of residency training and education through an ADA-accredited prosthodontic graduate program. With this training, a prosthodontist can:
- Create custom restorations
- Place dental implants
- Correct TMJ disorders
- Correct sleep and snoring problems
Though a traditional dentist may have some training in prosthodontics and provide dentistry solutions like crowns and dentures, a prosthodontist is extensively trained in this area and can handle complex cases. Your dentist may even refer you to our Southlake, TX, prosthodontist for care.
Our prosthodontist can help you explore treatment options and determine the best way to restore your oral health, function, and appearance.
Our Available Prosthodontic Services
AtFuqua Advanced Dental in Southlake, TX, we provide patients with a variety of solutions for tooth damage and loss. During a consultation, you can tell our prosthodontist about your concerns and he will assess your dental health before deciding on the optimal treatment plan. Your treatment may include:
Crowns
Dental crowns can cap a damaged tooth to protect the remaining structure and restore functionality. Implant-supported crowns can completely replace a single tooth. We craft our crowns with materials like porcelain so the restoration is indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that is supported on either side by crowned abutment teeth or dental implants. Bridges can replace areas of tooth loss of up to three teeth in a row.
Full Dentures
A denture replaces an entire arch of teeth to restore dental function. Our dentures are custom molded to fit over your dental arch to ensure your comfort. Dentures can also be supported by dental implants for a more secure fit.
Partial Dentures
If a patient still has some remaining healthy teeth, but gaps that are too large to be treated by a dental bridge, they can benefit from a partial denture. This dentistry solution can restore areas of tooth loss throughout the mouth and prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
Dental Implants
Implants replace tooth roots, prevent the jawbone atrophy that occurs after tooth loss, and support restorations to return dental function. Our prosthodontist can complete every step in the implant placement process, from planning your surgery to connecting your restoration.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front surface of a tooth to conceal flaws like chips, discoloration, and gaps. Though dentists can provide veneers, our Southlake, TX, prosthodontist has developed a mastery of aesthetics and function that allow him to create stunning, lifelike veneers.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
A full mouth reconstruction combines restorative and general treatments to address multiple concerns and completely rehabilitate a patient's oral health. Treatment is tailored to the patient and can address decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and more.
To provide the very best care, Dr. Steven Fuqua may collaborate with dentists, specialists, or other healthcare professionals to create a treatment tailored to a patient's needs and resolve their dental concerns.
Treating Jaw Disorders
Not only can prosthodontists restore damaged and missing teeth, but they can also treat jaw disorders that can lead to widespread damage and the inability to open your mouth. The temporomandibular area is complex and involves muscles, joints, and ligaments.A trained prosthodontist understands how this complex area works and can provide you with comfortable and conservative treatment like an oral appliance.
Dr. Fuqua also provides treatment for sleep and snoring disorders, problems that can also be corrected with oral appliances.
The Dangers of Damaged and Missing Teeth
Damaged Teeth
Not only can chips and cracks affect the appearance of your smile and cause sensitivity, but they can also leave the interior of your tooth exposed, causing cavities and infections. Our Southlake, TX, office can provide you with restorations like dental crowns to protect the structure of affected teeth.
Missing Teeth
When a tooth falls out, the jawbone doesn't receive the stimulation it needs, so the bone tissue deteriorates. This can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of place and even result in further tooth loss as the bone weakens. We can provide you with dental implants and restorations to improve dental function.
Meet Our Prosthodontist Steven J. Fuqua, DDS, MS
Dr. Steven Fuqua is an active member of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) and a well-respected member of the dental community. Because of his experience in the field of prosthodontics, he is often called upon to speak to dental groups so he can share his knowledge of modern prosthodontic techniques. Many traditional dentists trust Dr. Fuqua and refer their patients to him for quality restorative care. He is here to guide you through your treatment.
See What Our Patients Say About Dr. Fuqua "Exceptional at his craft"
Jacquelyn Zimmerman
2022
Drs. Steve and Tonya Fuqua have been a favorite of mine for 20+ years. They have essentially set the benchmark extraordinarily high in their service, professionalism, kindness, friendliness, and quality of their work. I now bring my two young kids for their checkups and for weeks after, they beg to go back to the dentist.
Forest Wagner
2022
I have been a patient of Dr. Fuqua for 15 years. He is exceptional at his craft in addition to him and his staff being top class. He has gone above and beyond for me and my situation and I couldn't possibly recommend him to anyone more. You are guaranteed an honest, accurate and professional outcome every single time.
FAQs
What is the difference between prosthodontics and prosthodontist? ›
The word “prosthodontics” comes from the words “prostho,” meaning replacement, and “dontist,” meaning teeth. A prosthodontist (a type of dental specialist) receives extended training in the fabrication of crowns, bridges, dentures and other restorative treatments.
What are the cons of prosthodontics? ›What are the disadvantages of prosthodontics? All prosthodontics techniques should be to restore and protect natural dentition. However, every operative procedure does cause damage, both visible and also invisible within the tooth. Every deep filling or crown or veneer preparation will irritate the nerve of the tooth.
Why is prosthodontics hard? ›"Prosthodontics" is both art and science, because it an art which is based on scientific facts. Therefore, one has to study hard the theory part. Then, the theory has to be applied on the living ones; the patients. Therefore, it really becomes extremely hard to completely finish the course in a span of three years.
What is the difference between a prosthodontist and a regular dentist? ›The biggest difference between a prosthodontist and a general dentist is that a prosthodontist deals with replacing teeth and restoring your oral health and function throughout your entire mouth. General dentists focus on repairing teeth and ensuring that they remain healthy.
What is the highest paid prosthodontist? ›How Much Does a Prosthodontist Make? Prosthodontists made a median salary of $100,950 in 2021. The best-paid 25% made $172,650 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $100,570.
What are the four branches of prosthodontics? ›- Fixed Prosthodontics.
- Removable Prosthodontics.
- Maxillofacial Prosthodontics.
- Implant Prosthodontics.
Most of the time, complications are conditions that occur during or after an appropriately performed fixed prosthodontic treatment procedures. There are three main types of failures Biologic failure, mechanical failure and aesthetic failure.
Are implants considered Prosthodontics? ›Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that design and implement artificial replacements for teeth and gums. These include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants and any combination of treatments to restore lost or damaged teeth.
Why choose a prosthodontist? ›A Prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and more. Essentially, Prosthodontists are THE recognized experts when anything needs to be replaced in your mouth. This can range from a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth and gums in the mouth.
What is the most difficult dental procedure? ›Implants are one of the most complex dental procedures, but this doesn't mean bad news. The dentist will numb the nerves of the area with local anesthesia during the process.
Is being a prosthodontist stressful? ›
Prosthodontists rarely deal with emergencies. The majority of their procedures are elective and cosmetic in nature, meaning they are not under as much pressure or stress as other healthcare providers.
What is the hardest dental specialty? ›orthodontics. This is probably the hardest one to be accepted into. There is also a good future and remuneration for this specialty. Parents will always put their children first and tooth malocclusion will be more and more prevalent as different homogeneous gene pools intermix.
Who is the best person to make dentures? ›Essentially, prosthodontists are THE recognized experts when anything needs to be replaced in your mouth. This can range from a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth and gums in the mouth. While many other dentists can do some of these treatments, prosthodontists are the specialists dedicated to this type of care.
Are prosthodontists happy? ›Prosthodontists are below average when it comes to happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, prosthodontists rate their career happiness 3.1 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 40% of careers.
Are veneers considered prosthodontics? ›Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that design and implement artificial replacements for teeth and gums. These include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants and any combination of treatments to restore lost or damaged teeth.
What is the lowest paid dental specialty? ›periodontists, and pediatric dentists), oral surgeons are consistently the highest earning dental specialists while periodontists are the lowest earning dental specialists.
Which branch of dentistry makes the most money? ›- Periodontist. Periodontists specialize in gum health and care. ...
- Prosthodontist. A prosthodontist specializes in treating and replacing missing teeth. ...
- Endodontist. ...
- Orthodontist. ...
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
| Pierre Fauchard | |
|---|---|
| Portrait of Fauchard by J. Le. Bel | |
| Born | 2 January 1679 Saint-Denis-de-Gastines, Mayenne, France |
| Died | 21 March 1761 (aged 82) Paris, France |
| Known for | Introduction of many dental practices |
Fixed prosthodontics is the area of restorative dentistry that involves the replacement of missing teeth with custom made restorations that are permanently cemented and not removable. The term “fixed partial denture” is synonymous with “fixed bridge” or “bridgework”.
What is a master cast prosthodontics? ›
A master cast is a cast made to replicate a patient's entire oral structures, including teeth, gums, upper and lower jaw, and soft tissue structures.
What age do you get fixed prosthodontics? ›If the teeth involved are fully erupted, have achieved complete root formation, and may be prepared without causing irreversible damage to the pulp, successful prosthodontic treatment can often be provided for patients as young as 12 to 14 years of age.
Which finish line is most preferred in fixed prosthodontics? ›In lower anterior teeth or periodontically-treated teeth, the knife-edge finish line appears to be the treatment of choice. In short teeth and preparations for porcelain and porcelain-gold crowns, the full shoulder bevelled preparation is the treatment of choice.
What is the disadvantage of fixed denture? ›- More difficult to clean than removable dentures.
- More expensive due to costly lab fees.
- Requires more implants (4-6)
- Requires maintenance to removal and cleaning (1 or 2 times a year)
- Restoraion should be done by a professional due to lack of translucency in Zirconia (as in natural teeth)
Studies have shown that somewhere between 5% and 10% of dental implants fail. On the other hand, that means that there is between a 90% and 95% success rate, which are very good odds in terms of dental and medical procedures.
Are crowns considered fixed prosthodontics? ›Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dentist.
What is the difference between fixed prosthodontics and implants? ›The difference between the two options is that removable implant-supported dentures can be snapped on and off of the abutments whenever you need to remove them, while fixed dentures are permanent and can only be removed by a dentist.
Do I need to see a prosthodontist? ›A prosthodontist will first assess the current condition of your gums and jawbone to determine the best size and shape, and then design one to those specifications. You should see a prosthodontist if you want to fix temporomandibular problems or disorders, as well as address sleep or snoring disorders.
What are the advantages of fixed prosthodontics? ›- Won't slip or shift out of place. Traditional dentures are known to come loose in the mouth, causing its wearers to feel conscious when talking or eating. ...
- Look natural. ...
- Improves confidence. ...
- Makes it easy to chew. ...
- Strengthens the jaw.
How Is a Prosthodontist Different From an Endodontist? Instead of specializing in the devices that are used in restorative and cosmetic dentistry and other types of oral treatments, endodontists specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of tooth pulp or the interior tissues of the teeth.
What is the most common failure in dental unit? ›
A water leakage problem is one of the most common malfunctions of the dental unit. At the initial installation stage, the manufacturer equipped each unit with a water heater to heat the internal waterways.
What does C mean in dentistry? ›Caries- Dental term for cavities.
What dental procedures take the longest? ›Extractions and Root Canals
Your gums will heal in about two weeks and the bone beneath them will take about 3-4 months. Wisdom teeth are a bit different, and can take 20 minutes to an hour to remove, depending on how developed or compacted the teeth are and how many are being taken out at once.
In Switzerland the prosthodontic specialization curriculum was developed and guided by the Swiss Society for Reconstructive Dentistry, and only in 2001 it became fully acknowledged by the Federal Department of Health.
What type of dentist is the least stressful? ›The lowest stress was seen among orthodontics specialists. Based on the results of the present study, the rate of job stress varied significantly among dental professionals.
How many prosthodontists are in the US? ›There are over 3,500 practicing prosthodontists and prosthodontic residents in the U.S., according to the American Dental Association, Health Policy Resources Center, Supply of Dentists, 2017.
Which is harder being a dentist or a Doctor? ›Typically, dentists experience less demanding work loads than physicians. While they might have adjusted schedules to meet the needs of their patients, most dentists can expect to work standard business hours and achieve relatively high levels of work-life balance.
Is dentistry harder than med school? ›Both schools have the same levels of difficulty when it comes to courses and disciplines. The dental school offers practical courses much earlier into the schooling. Medical school offers only classroom learning during the first 2 years.
Is dentistry more competitive than med school? ›With more applicants and more schools, the medical school admissions process could be considered more competitive when compared to dental school admissions. The average M.D. matriculant, according to MedEdits, tends to have an average 3.7 GPA and an MCAT score in the 82nd percentile.
What is the most comfortable denture to wear? ›Flexible dentures are thin, lightweight, and pliable, which means they're more comfortable than traditional dentures. There's no long adjustment period needed when you start wearing them. Flexible dentures do not absorb odors or stains.
Who makes the most realistic looking dentures? ›
Dentures created by Eldridge Dental and Glidewell labs have a textured surface which helps them become the most natural looking dentures in all light conditions. If your in the market for the most natural looking dentures Eldridge Dental can provide this experience for you.
What's better than dentures? ›A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root (typically made of titanium) that's placed in your jaw to later support a crown. Many patients appreciate that dental implants look and function like natural teeth. This means that you'll be able to continue eating your favorite foods without worrying about slipping dentures.
Do prosthodontists clean? ›They offer routine dental check-ups and cleanings, in addition to basic restorative treatments, including fillings, crowns and bridges. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist. After graduating from dental school, they receive three additional years of residency training.
What are fake veneers called? ›Snap-on veneers are removable plastic trays that cover tooth imperfections. Also known as reusable, fake, clip-on, or pop-on veneers, snap-on veneers are relatively cheap and available without a dentist.
Is a bridge a prosthodontics? ›A dental bridge is a prosthodontic treatment because it replaces one or more teeth that were lost or extracted.
What is the difference between a dentist and an prosthodontics? ›The biggest difference between a prosthodontist and a general dentist is that a prosthodontist deals with replacing teeth and restoring your oral health and function throughout your entire mouth. General dentists focus on repairing teeth and ensuring that they remain healthy.
What is another name for prosthodontics? ›Prosthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prostheses.
What are examples of prosthodontics? ›Examples include crowns and bridges. Removable prostheses can typically be taken in and out of the mouth. Examples of these include partial dentures and complete dentures. Dental implants can be used to support crowns on the back teeth (premolars and molars) and to support a lower complete denture.
Are implants considered prosthodontics? ›Prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that design and implement artificial replacements for teeth and gums. These include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and dental implants and any combination of treatments to restore lost or damaged teeth.
What is the specialty of prosthodontics involves? ›Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and oral function, associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.
Is a prosthodontist the same as a periodontist? ›
A periodontist can do everything an ordinary dentist does, plus more advanced procedures such as root canal therapy, gum grafting, and surgical removal of impacted teeth. A prosthodontist typically does not perform extractions or fillings but focuses on replacing missing teeth with dental implants or bridges.
Why is prosthodontics interesting? ›There are many dental specialties that are recognized by the American Dental Association. This includes prosthodontics. Prosthodontics is a unique area that helps patients replace missing teeth or repair them when they are broken or not function properly.
What are the procedures in prosthodontics? ›Prosthodontic procedures involve restoration of missing teeth by artificial prosthetics. These prosthetics come in a wide variety of materials which include dental fillings, dentures, bridges, dental implants, dental veneers, dental crowns, and inlays and onlays.
How many branches of prosthodontics are there? ›Therefore, it is also referred to as prosthetic dentistry. Given that prosthodontics is a broad field, it is divided into four branches.
What are the two specialty areas prosthodontics is composed of in dentistry? ›Prosthodontics comprises of two specialty areas in dentistry: fixed prosthodontics, which is the replacement of missing teeth with a cast prosthesis that is cemented in place and cannot be removed by the patient, and removable prosthodontics, which is the replacement of missing teeth with a prosthesis that the patient ...
What is a prosthodontist called? ›Periodontics / Periodontist. Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the health of your gums and jawbone — the tissues that support your teeth. A gum specialist is called a periodontist.
What fixed prosthodontics include? ›Fixed Prosthodontics includes: Inlays Onlays Veneers Crowns Fixed partial dentures Crown: It is a fixed extra-coronal artificial restoration of the coronal portion of a natural tooth. It must restore the morphology, contour and function of the tooth and should protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage.