Tooth-o-pedia:  Glossary of Dental Definitions

Definition: Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the science of replacing the human dentition (teeth) that has been lost to disease or neglect with an artificial replacement. There are two sub-divisions of prosthodontics: fixed and removable. Fixed prosthodontics is the replacement of one or several missing natural teeth with an appliance ( crown or bridge) that is either cemented into the mouth on healthy natural teeth that have been contoured to accept the appliance or, cemented onto implants (discussed later). These appliances stay in the mouth and are not removed. The second division of prosthodontics is removable. This science deals with the replacement of missing teeth with an appliance (full denture or partial denture) that is taken in and out of the mouth on a daily basis. The determination of whether missing teeth can be replaced with a fixed or removable appliance is done by the dentist after a thorough examination of the dentition (teeth) and the surrounding support apparatus.

◄ Return to Savon's Tooth-o-pedia