At Berkeley Dental Center, our skilled prosthodontists provide comprehensive dental care to restore and replace missing or damaged teeth. As a local family dental office in Berkeley, CA, we are dedicated to helping our patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Our prosthodontic services are designed for both kids and adults, ensuring that every member of your family receives the care they need.

What is Prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth.

Prosthodontists undergo extensive training to develop expertise in:

  • Dental implants: Replacing missing teeth with permanent, natural-looking solutions
  • Crowns and bridges: Restoring damaged or decayed teeth and replacing missing teeth
  • Dentures: Providing removable tooth replacement options for partial or complete tooth loss
  • TMJ disorders: Treating issues related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and bite alignment

Dental Implants at Berkeley Dental Center

Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. At Berkeley Dental Center, our prosthodontists are experts in dental implant placement and restoration.

The dental implant process involves:

  • Surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone to act as a tooth root
  • Allowing the implant to fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration
  • Attaching a custom-made dental crown to the implant, restoring the appearance and function of the missing tooth

Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved oral health and bone preservation
  • Enhanced comfort and stability compared to traditional dentures
  • Natural-looking and long-lasting results

Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures

In addition to dental implants, our prosthodontists offer a range of other restorative and replacement options:

  • Dental Crowns: Crowns are custom-made caps that cover damaged or decayed teeth, restoring their shape, size, and strength. They can also be used to improve the appearance of misshapen or discolored teeth.
  • Dental Bridges: Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. They help prevent the shifting of remaining teeth and maintain proper bite alignment.
  • Dentures: For patients missing multiple teeth or all of their teeth, dentures provide a removable solution. Our prosthodontists create custom-fitted dentures that look natural and allow patients to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

TMJ Disorder Treatment

Prosthodontists also specialize in treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.

Symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

  • Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
  • Difficulty chewing or pain while eating
  • Chronic headaches or earaches
  • Jaw locking or limited range of motion

Our prosthodontists work closely with patients to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders using a variety of techniques, such as:

  • Oral appliances: Custom-made mouthguards or splints to reduce jaw clenching and grinding;
  • Physical therapy: Exercises and techniques to relax the jaw muscles and improve range of motion;
  • Medication: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs to manage symptoms.

Comprehensive Dental Care in Berkeley

At Berkeley Dental Center, our family dentists and prosthodontists work together to provide comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. We believe that everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile, and our team is committed to helping you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. If you are in need of prosthodontic services or any other dental care, contact Berkeley Dental Center today to schedule an appointment. Our local family dental office in Berkeley, CA, is here to serve you and your loved ones with compassionate, high-quality care.