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Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics

What is a Prosthodontist?
Restorative Dentist in Parma, OH

A prosthodontist is a dentist who performs aesthetic restoration & replacement of teeth. Modern advances in dental technology have allowed prosthodontists to provide a wide variety of helpful treatments for patients, and we’ve put together a simple, helpful overview! If you have questions that are not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to call our office today! We’d be more than happy to answer any question you may have. Prosthodontists offer a wide range of options to replace missing teeth depending on the needs of the patient. Whether the patient requires dentures, removable partial dentures, or a stationary bridge, we have the background and experience to provide exceptional care. Prosthodontists have been instrumental in developing the technologies we use today. Our role in helping you to maintain a healthy and attractive smile and appearance allows us to create restorations that appear natural. Dental implants are a wonderful alternative to conventional tooth replacement. As your prosthodontist, we can offer you a full range of cosmetic services, and we use the latest techniques, combined with exceptional care to make subtle changes and major repairs to get you the best possible result.

Photo of Dentures

Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be removed and put back into your mouth as you please. Depending on each individual patient case, they may receive full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed from the mouth and replaced with a full set of dentures. There are two types of full dentures.

  • Conventional Full Dentures – This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.
  • Immediate Full Dentures – Prior to having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have a follow up visit to refit your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heels. The dentures will need to be tightened after the jaw bone has healed.

Partial dentures are another option when not all of your teeth need to be removed. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.

Your dentures may take some time to get used to. The flesh colored base of the dentures is placed over your gums. Some people say that it feels bulky or that they don’t have enough room for their tongue. Other times the dentures might feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel more and more like your natural teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but it is much better than the alternative of not having teeth.

Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles before removing your dentures. After they have been removed you should place them directly into room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don’t drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.

Photo of Snap on Dentures

A Snap-On Denture is a denture with snaps that connect to implants. This denture option differs from the procedure called the “All On Four” in that the denture snaps onto the implants instead of being permanently fixed to the implants. There are several options regarding a snap on denture. For instance, the number of snaps and implants, the type of denture and if it covers the roof of your mouth, and your overall preferences about the outcome.

Snap-On Dentures provides patients with a long-term quality solution for their smile! Snap-On Dentures are easy and painless, comfortable fitting, never lose functionality, and not only do you get a new smile, but you can maintain your existing teeth.

People who wear dentures will tell you that the worst part is having their teeth slip, tilt or slide while they’re eating. They have to use denture adhesive to try to keep their teeth from moving around. This is a major irritant for them. But now, at Ridge Road Family Dentistry we offer our denture patients an alternative – Snap-on Dentures.

With the use of just a few dental implants to support the dentures, your teeth will be “locked” into place so they won’t move. Yet they easily snap off for cleaning. Say good bye to messy creams! Ask us if you are a candidate for Snap-on Dentures!

Photo of Custom Dentures


Custom Dentures and Partials

Dentures are constructed to replace missing teeth and soft tissue structures. Dentures are removable and are made to closely resemble natural tissue. Dentures are constructed using materials that make them very durable. Custom dentures may last many years.

There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures are made to replace all of the teeth of one arch. By working with your dentist to select the shape, size and shade of these teeth you can create a beautiful new smile. Implants can be used to stabilize a complete denture, and these dentures are made similarly to regular dentures.

Partial dentures are used when either one or more teeth are missing and some natural teeth remain. Partial dentures help maintain proper spacing of the remaining teeth and can also prevent these teeth from shifting.

Reasons to get dentures
Complete and partial dentures are used to support facial tissues and enhance your smile. Complete dentures restore tooth structure when all of the teeth have been removed. Partial dentures restore tooth structure as well as help maintain any remaining structures when only some teeth have been lost.

Partial and complete denture construction

  • Getting dentures is usually done over multiple appointments and may take several weeks.
  • At one of the early appointments diagnostic impressions are taken and used by the laboratory to create your custom dentures.
  • Once the denture is returned from the laboratory several appointments are scheduled for try-in and adjustment. At these appointments your dentist will check for color, shape and the most comfortable fit.


We offer affordable, quality dentures Parma, Ohio 44129. Call for an appointment today 440-886-4600

Photo of Bridges

Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.

The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been created, a mold is taken of the area which is sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the mold to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.

We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and the dentist will then use an adhesive to make sure that the bridge is set.

The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.

Photo of Crowns

Over time our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration and others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel a porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.

The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.

Photo of Veneers

Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Veneers are a very thin ceramic shell that covers your existing tooth structure. In placing these new veneers on your teeth, you are able to fix the look of issues such as staining, cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, chipped teeth and many other issues.

In terms of the process to place veneers, it is a process that takes approximately two to three visits. In the first visit, we will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by placing the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will carefully prepare the teeth for the placement of the new veneers. As we complete this piece of the process, the next step is to take an impression of the newly prepared teeth. This impression will be sent to our laboratory for the final product to be fabricated. We only utilize the highest standard laboratory for fabrication of all of our work. This process at the laboratory takes between 10-14 days. While the new veneers are being fabricated at the lab, we will provide you with a beautiful temporary solution to wear for this time.

As the veneers are finalized, we will make every effort to make sure that your new veneers will feel just like your natural teeth. We will bond them into place ensuring that you can enjoy your new smile for a very long time!

Photo of Bonding and White Fillings

Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.
A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied an, LED light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.

Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.

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We Take Your Dental Insurance

We’ll make the process of paying for your dental care as simple as possible! Our office accepts a wide variety of insurance plans, and we’re always happy to file your claim for you so that you can be sure to receive the maximum benefits available to you. Ridge Road Family Dentistry is in network with Delta Dental, Metlife, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield, Guardian, United Healthcare, and more! Call us today to find out how we can maximize your insurance plan!

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Specials & Offers

Implant, Abutment & Crown $3000

Implant, Abutment & Crown for $3000, X-ray and consultation are free, includes CT scan when treatment is accepted (when insurance company is not accepted).

Open Daily For Your Convenience!

Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
Closed

10% Discount

For new patients with no insurance. No insurance? No Problem! We will offer 10% Discount, for self-pay patients.

We also Accept Care Credit!