Greetings
Prosthodontics is treatment that compensates for loss of a tooth or of the jawbone using artificial material, thereby restoring the shape and function.At our department, we provide prosthetic treatment using dental materials, such as crowns, to cover teeth, bridges to join artificial teeth to adjacent teeth, removable dentures (complete dentures, partial dentures), implants that are placed into the jawbones, and jaw dentures that compensate for loss of a jawbone.
We also provide jaw function-related treatment for temporomandibular disorder, bruxism and sleep apnea syndrome as well as sports dentistry-related treatment.
Outline
Medical care system
In FY 2016, we had 19 dentists providing outpatient care. The total number of patients seen in FY 2014 was approximately 12,600 (approx. 50/day).Treatment policy
- For partial or total loss of a tooth and loss of the jawbone, we provide treatment to restore appearance, improve impaired function and conserve occlusion (bite) by applying artificial materials that fit in well with the living organisms in the oral cavity.
- We provide full consultations and perform detailed examinations to accurately understand the condition of each patient, including the condition of lost teeth, the condition of bite and jaw function, the presence of disease in other parts of the body and the physical condition.
- We comprehensively consider findings obtained through consultations and tests to diagnose the condition and decide on a course of treatment.
- There are many options in prosthetic procedures and materials. We proceed with treatment after obtaining informed consent.
- In case of patients for whom it is difficult to decide on an appropriate bite and type of prosthesis, trial crowns or dentures may be used before deciding on a definitive course of treatment after repeated adjustments.
- We cooperate with other dental departments (Comprehensive Conservative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc.) and medical departments as needed, and take a team approach from the stage of treatment planning. (We also work in partnership with the Department of Plastic Surgery of Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo City General Hospital and other relevant hospitals.)
Area of medical care
General prosthetic treatment (crowns, bridges, dentures), treatment for abnormal bite, implant treatment, treatment for temporomandibular disorder and bruxism, splints (mouthpieces) for sleep apnea syndrome, maxillofacial prosthetics, prosthetic treatment after therapeutic procedures for cleft lip and palate or fractures, determination of occlusion position for jaw deformity and prosthetic treatment after surgical orthodontic treatment, mouth guards for athletes, etc.Consultation hours
First-visit reception: 8:30 a.m. – noon (by appointment only) *Please consult us if you would like to visit in the afternoon.Return-visit reception: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (by appointment only)
Consultation hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Consultation days: Monday – Friday
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
*Inquires: Fifth Clinic at 011-706-4342/4343/4344 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Major tests and equipment
Tests
Occlusal force test, jaw function test (the following equipment is used)Equipment
Occlusal force measuring system (Occluzer: a system that measures the severity and balance of occlusal force)Jaw movement measuring system (sirognathograph: a system that can measure jaw movement accurately and three-dimensionally)
Electromyograph: (a system that measures the appropriate action of muscles involved in biting (masticatory muscles))
Treatment details and results
General prosthetic treatment
- Crowns: metal crowns, hard resin facing crowns, hard resin jacket crowns, CAD/CAM crowns, porcelain fused-to-metal crowns (metal bond), all-ceramics crowns using zirconia ceramics, etc.
- Bridges: The materials used are the same as those for crowns.
- Adhering bridge: A bridge designed to minimize cutting of the teeth
- Porcelain laminate veneer: When bleaching does not achieve proper whitening of discolored teeth, the enamel on the surface of the tooth is ground and a thin ceramic shell is attached to the tooth. This treatment is not covered by health insurance.
- Dentures: Both partial and complete dentures are available. Whether health insurance can be applied depends on the type of material involved and the design.
Prosthetic treatment for patients with metal allergies
- We perform treatment using non-metal materials, such as ceramics and resin, for patients with metal allergies.
Diagnosis of occlusal abnormality
- When upper and lower teeth do not make even contact or the jaw feels like it is dislocated, we provide consultations and perform tests to diagnose the cause.
Implant treatment
- Implants: As an option for prosthetic treatment, we provide prosthetic care after an implant is placed in the jaw bone in cooperation with the Clinic of Dental Implants.
Treatment for temporomandibular disorder
- For temporomandibular disorder with the symptom of pain of the jaw, difficulty opening the mouth and joint noises when opening and closing the mouth, we provide therapy with splints (mouthpieces) and prosthetic treatment using crowns, bridges and dentures as needed after splint therapy.
Treatment for bruxism
- We use splints (mouthpieces) to treat bruxism, clenching and other habits.
Treatment for sleep apnea syndrome and snoring
- We use an oral device (sleep splint) to treat sleep apnea syndrome and snoring.
- The treatment requires diagnosis by a medical specialist. We cooperate with medical departments of Hokkaido University Hospital and other hospitals to proceed with the treatment.
- In case of only snoring, the oral device may improve the snoring, but the treatment is not covered by health insurance.
Maxillofacial prosthetics
- We produce jaw dentures (dentures that compensate for partial loss of the jaw due to ablation of a tumor or injury), palatal augmentation prostheses, etc.
- In cooperation with the Dental Medical Laboratory, we produce maxillofacial prostheses (artificial jaw or other parts of the face are made of silicone, etc. to compensate for loss of the jaw or parts of the face due to ablation of a tumor or injury).
Prosthetic treatment after therapeutic procedures for cleft lip and palate or fractures
- Production of palatal obturators (used when there is a hole in the upper jaw due to cleft lip and palate, etc.) and metal retainers (denture-like metal device placed in the upper jaw to prevent the teeth from moving after orthodontic procedures)
- Oral rehabilitation combining crowns, bridges, dentures and implants
Determination of occlusion position for jaw deformity and prosthetic treatment after surgical orthodontic treatment
- We determine the position of occlusion in case of surgical orthodontic treatment (movement of the jaw by surgery) (team medical care in cooperation with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthodontics and Prosthodontics ), produce surgical splints, and perform prosthetic treatment after surgery.
Mouth guards for athletes
- Rubber mouth guards to protect teeth from injury during participation in sports (not covered by health insurance)
(As of April, 2016)
