| Reasons for recommending a prosthodontic referral for your patients |
| 1. | | Complex Implant Supported Restorations | Patients with significant restorative problems may require extensive multiphase rehabilitation. This may include managed phased extraction of teeth, the surgical placement of implants and the fabrication of implant supported crowns bridges or a complete arch prosthesis.
In complex presentations these constructions may need to be fabricated initially on a provisional basis. Subsequent choice of an appropriate final restoration from the design and material selection perspectives can be decided based on the patient’s response to initial treatments and their preferences.
The Prosthodontist can determine the appropriate restoration for your patient to restore both function and appearance from a wide range of design and material options. | |
| | 2. | | Re-treatments, Management and Restoration of Compromised or Failing Dentitions. | Prosthodontists provide expertise in diagnostics and treatment planning for dealing with breakdown of existing dental treatments, which may involve failing or damaged complex restorations.
Evaluation of extensively restored dentitions with damaged restorations with compromised supporting structures, benefit from diagnostic and treatment planning skills. Retreatment scenarios can provide specific challenges in terms of the overall predictability of the outcome.
The Prosthodontist is uniquely positioned to provide a management approach to the deliver of care for this type of patient. Consideration involves accurate diagnosis, treatment planning options, risk identification and designing the sequencing and scheduling of treatment delivery. This caseload comprises a significant percentage of prosthodontic referrals. |
| | 3. | | Challenging Edentulous Cases | | Providing conventional or implant supported dentures for edentulous patients with severely resorbed ridges vertical dimension discrepancies and significant interarch deficiency can be difficult. | |
| | 4. | | Bruxism, Erosion and The Severely Worn Dentition | Treatment of dentate patients with extremely worn teeth, deep vertical overlap and a history of bruxism, erosion, clenching and TMJ disorders all present difficult and time-consuming management scenarios.
These complex clinical presentations with significant tooth surface loss both in the partially edentulous and fully dentate patient require in-depth diagnosis with the necessary laboratory work up at the planning and design phase prior to embarking on sequenced treatment.
Multiple treatment sessions and periods of Provisionalisation with interim restoration may be required to provide predictable outcomes. | |
| | 5. | | Removable Partial Denture Services | Where other treatment options are not feasible or a patient expresses a preference for a removable partial denture solution to address appearance and functional issues Prosthodontists can offer particular assistance.
The combination of removable partial denture design solutions supported by crowns and precision attachments can deliver an enhanced treatment outcome for the patient. Such combinations cases can eliminate the visibility of unsightly clasp arrangements and provide enhanced retention and support for a removable partial denture solution.
Prosthodontists provide the necessary diagnostic and design expertise combined with an intricate knowledge of the sequential clinical and laboratory phases in delivery of a complex removable denture solutions designed to meet patient requirements.
Frequently now, incorporating implant and tooth supported removable partial denture solutions is another option to the design portfolio for these cases. | |
| | 6. | | Intricate Esthetic Procedures | Meeting patient esthetic requirements can be a critical aspect of any restoration whether it is a single crown or veneer to a fixed bridge either tooth or implant supported.
High esthetic patient demands, often where there are limiting functional variables, can be both time- consuming and problematic. Clear understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the treatment options to be employed can make for a more predictable outcome.
Prosthodontists have specific expertise in evaluating and judging the appropriate restoration and materials selection for the management of multiple treatment scenarios in these high-touch esthetically demanding patients. | |
| | 7. | | Comprehensive Reconstructive Dentistry | Management of cases with severe functional defects resulting from trauma cancer surgery or developmental defect such as cleft palate or craniofacial anomalies. These clinical presentations frequently require treatment approaches with built in contingencies that anticipate future treatment requirements over the lifetime of the proposed restorations.
Avoiding compromises in function, chewing swallowing and speech, as well as appearance, may require a significant amount of planning between the various team members
Where there has been considerable loss of both had and soft tissue Prosthodontists possess the special skills for replacement of maxillofacial structures with the necessary expert laboratory support from design and fabrication perspectives. | |
| | 8. | | Treatment requiring several specialists | Patients who require extensive rehabilitation may involve care from multiple medical disciplines often present unique time consuming and scheduling challenges for general dentists. Patients often present with specific medical conditions, which may require modifications to treatment planning scenarios.
Prosthodontists are trained to manage and appropriately sequence treatment need for this patient group.
When treatment is complete the patient returns to the referring general practitioner for continued care and maintenance. | |
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