DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE BEST PROSTHODONTIC CARE

CROWNS & BRIDGES

Dental technology offers many options for restoring and replacing broken or lost teeth, and crowns and bridges are some of the most common and effective solutions. At Upstate Prosthodontics, we bring extensive expertise to these treatments, ensuring you regain a fully functional and beautiful smile.

Crowns

Crowns are an essential solution for many dental issues, especially when a tooth is severely damaged by trauma or decay. After a root canal, a tooth may lack the structural integrity needed to function properly, making it vulnerable to further damage. In these cases, a crown, or “cap,” provides a protective outer layer, restoring the tooth’s strength and function. Crowns are also used for broken teeth, rebuilding the structure and allowing it to function as it should.

Additionally, crowns are a vital part of dental bridges, which are commonly used to replace missing teeth.

Bridges

A dental bridge is a prosthetic designed to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. There are three types of bridges:

• Traditional Bridge: A prosthetic tooth or teeth are supported by crowns placed on the adjacent natural teeth.
• Cantilever Bridge: Used when there is only one natural tooth on one side of the gap.
• Resin-Bonded Bridge: Metal “wings” are bonded to adjacent teeth to hold the prosthetic in place.

Whether you’re dealing with cracked, broken, decayed, or missing teeth, our team is here to provide expert care and help restore your smile. Call us today at (864) 232-3882 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you achieve a fully restored and functional smile.

DENTURES

Dentures function as a replacement for your teeth and gums when you are missing any of them.

Denture Types

Partial Dentures: You may think dentures are for patients who have lost all of their teeth, however, that’s not always the case. In fact, many patients who’ve lost several teeth in one arch (side) can benefit from partial dentures. This type of denture is useful when the patient has lost more teeth than can reasonably be replaced with a bridge.

Complete Dentures: A replacement of all of the teeth in one arch, on a removable base. These can be fitted for top teeth, bottom teeth, or both, depending on the patient’s needs.

Immediate Dentures: As the name suggests, this type is available for use as soon as your teeth have been extracted. There are some benefits of immediate dentures over conventional dentures, one is the patient leaves with their new set of teeth that day. A drawback is that when the jawbone heals from the tooth extractions, the fit of the immediate dentures will change and need to be relined to fit the changes in your gums.

Call today so we can address these dental issues and you will rediscover your smile.

IMPLANT RESTORATION

Thanks to advancements in dental technology, losing a tooth is no longer as devastating as it once was. Dental implants offer a reliable and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, allowing you to restore both function and aesthetics to your smile.

What is a Dental Implant?

The dental implant procedure begins with the surgical placement of a titanium post into the jawbone, where the tooth has been lost. This post acts as a new tooth root. Once placed, the bone and post fuse together through a process known as osseointegration, typically taking three to six months. If a patient has insufficient bone mass, a bone graft may be required before implantation can proceed.

Our team will coordinate all of your appointments to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience throughout the process.

Abutment Placement, Custom Crown Fabrication, and Placement

Once osseointegration is complete, the implant functions as a secure base for a custom-made crown. An abutment is placed into the implant, and a digital impression of your mouth is taken to design a crown that will perfectly fit and restore your smile.
In some cases, multiple teeth can be replaced with a single implant, and implants can also be used to secure full sets of dentures.

Caring for Your Restoration

Implant restorations require no more care than your usual dental hygiene routine. Regular brushing, flossing, and keeping up with checkups will ensure the longevity of your implant. Many patients report that after some time, they even forget they have a prosthetic tooth.

If you’re considering implant restoration, call Upstate Prosthodontics at (864) 232-3882 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you restore your smile!

TMJ

The Temporomandibular Joint (“TMJ”) is the complex joint that makes it possible to move your jaw. This joint can have internal problems, as well as, be affected by surrounding structures to cause TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction).

TMJ Disorder Causes

The cause of TMJ disorder is not always clear. Sometimes the problem is a result of malformation, or malocclusion, that puts stress on the joint. Other times it can be linked to brute force injury or even repetitive motion injuries such as bruxism (grinding the teeth) and clenching the jaw. Sometimes the small disc of cartilage that cushions the joint slips out of its natural place and the cushioning is no longer where it is needed. Other times it is due to conditions such as arthritis. Stress has been shown to have a marked impact on the condition.

Symptoms

In certain cases, TMJ may actually be asymptomatic. But most patients don’t start looking for treatment until there is some problem to be addressed.

• pain, tenderness, swelling, in the face, jaw joint area, or neck
• limited range of motion when opening jaw
• jaw that gets stuck or locked into position
• clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening the jaw or when chewing difficulty chewing or the feeling that the bite is suddenly “off”

Because dental pain is often difficult to pinpoint, a careful examination will be required to diagnose your TMJ disorder. Sometimes, a misalignment can be addressed and help the problem. Most often, a night-time mouthguard can be prescribed to help alleviate issues with night-time bruxism and clenching. Another alternative could be BOTOX® injections which could help affect the musculature especially for daytime habits.

Are you experiencing pain in your jaw or ears? Call today and let us help diagnose and treat your TMJ.

SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. At Upstate Prosthodontics, we specialize in treating obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type of sleep apnea, to help you achieve better rest and improve your overall health.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the mouth and throat relax, obstructing the airway. This interruption in breathing can happen multiple times throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is often associated with loud snoring, and many individuals with this condition are unaware they are suffering from it.

How Will I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is commonly identified by a bed partner who notices loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep. For those who sleep alone, recording sleep sounds may help identify signs such as snoring, choking, or gasping.

Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness, even falling asleep unintentionally during the day
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty with memory, learning, and maintaining concentration
• Irritability, mood swings, or feelings of depression
• Waking up frequently during the night
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

What are the Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can have serious health consequences due to chronic sleep deprivation. Some of the risks associated with sleep apnea include:

• High blood pressure and heart problems
• Daytime fatigue and decreased energy
• Complications with surgery or other medical treatments
• Reduced liver function
• Strain on relationships, as sleep apnea can affect both the sufferer and their bed partner

How Upstate Prosthodontics Can Help

For many cases of mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, treatment can be as simple as using a custom-designed mouthpiece to help keep the airway open during sleep. Some of the most common devices we use include:

• Mandibular repositioning devices, customized to your specific needs
• Tongue-retaining devices

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or are already experiencing symptoms, schedule a consultation with our team at Upstate Prosthodontics by calling (864) 232-3882. Let us help you and your bed partner get the restful, recuperative sleep you both deserve!

Patient Resources

To help educate our patients about dental health, we’ve provided the following information from Crest. Please click any link to read more about the topic.