Prosthodontics is the reconstruction and replacement of teeth damaged as a result of congenital disorders and traumatic injuries; and includes the rehabilitation of patients with tissue lost as a result of injury.
Patients, often with complex treatment needs; are seen for diagnosis, advice and treatment in conjunction with the referring practitioner. Those with complex treatment needs receive management within the hospital setting. The department has a strong educational focus and drive with treatment outcomes which often complement the departments treatment strategies. The treatment for patients is focussed on multidisciplinary treatment needs and is often undertaken in conjunction with the referring practitioner.
The department operates a shared care arrangement with general dental practitioners. It provides an advisory service on more straightforward cases for treatment to be carried out by patients own general dental practitioners. In more complex cases we may be able to offer all or part of the treatment in the department. Much of this treatment is carried out by hospital dentists undergoing specialist training and by dental postgraduates who are undertaking higher degrees such as MSc courses in Conservative Dentistry, or an MClinDent programme in Prosthodontics.
Patients are expected to maintain a good standard of oral care to ensure that any treatment will be long-lasting, and also to maintain regular contact with their own primary care practitioners. Upon completion of active treatment, patients are normally discharged back to the routine care of their own dentist, although they may be offered review appointments periodically.
The department also provides a consultant-led outreach service for Luton and Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust, and Edgware Hospital.
Patient contact
Address
Prosthodontics
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
47-49 Huntley Street
London
WC1E 6DG
Other referral information
Urgent referrals should be clearly marked and are given priority
Referrals must include details of treatment that has been initiated and any difficulties encountered.
Criteria for acceptance for treatment
- Congenital abnormalities of the dental tissues eg clefts
- Acquired orofacial defects; eg road traffic accidents, cancer surgery
- Advanced tooth surface loss
- Occlusal disorders
- Complex prosthetic problems
- Patients with multidisciplinary problems; eg hypodontia
Patients with poor oral hygiene, unstable and primary caries, and those with previously failed crown and bridgework will not normally be accepted for treatment
Access to patient results
Results of investigations are included within patient letters.
Referral address
Eastman Central Registry for Appointments (ECRA)
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital
47-49 Huntley Street
London
WC1E 6DG
Prosthodontics is concerned with the treatment of adult patients with complex clinical problems requiring all types of operative and fixed and removable prostheses (including fillings, crowns, bridges, implants and dentures to restore lost or missing teeth) in order to achieve restoration of appearance and occlusal function. Teeth may be lost for many reasons, such as tooth decay, gum disease or dental trauma.
11,600 patients are seen annually, of whom approximately 2,250 are new patients.
