Prosthodontics

Prosthesis

is a replacemet for a missing body part.

Removable Appliance

is one that can be placed in and out of the mouth at the patient's will.

Noble Metals

include the valuable alloys gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt).

Base Metals

Chromium-cobalt or chromium nickel may be used alone or in a mixture with noble alloys.

Porcelain

shells, veneer covers, or facings fused to the suface of a metal crown to give appearance of natural tooth surface. Abbreviated as PFM (porcelain fused to metal).

Composite

resin material used for tooth-colored replacement.

Acrylic

synthetic resin material used in fabrication of appliance parts, as covering for the metal frameworks, or as natural tissue replacement.

Hardeness

ability of material to withstand penetration.

Tensile Strength

capability of being stretched.

Elasticity

ability of material being stretched and then resume its original shape.

Ductility

ability to be drawn or hammered out as into a fine wire without breaking.

Malleability

ability to be pressed or hammered out into various forms and shapes.

Elongation

ability of a material to stretch before permanent deformation beings.

Inlay

Solid, cast restoration made in the shape of the preparation and cemented into place.

Onlay

Cast restoration usually replacing the chewing surface and some side walls.

Crown

A fabricated tooth-shape cover replacment for a missing

Full Crown

Cast-metal tooth-shaped cover that replaces entire crown area.

Jacket Crown

Thin, preformed, metal shield used to cover large ares of anterior crowns.

Dowel Crown

Full crown cover with dowel pin extending into the root canal of a pulpless tooth; usually positioned on anterior teeth.

Three-Quarter Crown

Similar to a full crown, covering all of the crown except the facial surface of the tooth which remains intact to present an esthetic, natural apperance.

Porcelain-Fused to Metal (PFM)

Crown that is one with a complete capping of metal base with fused porcelain to metal giving tooth contour, shape, and color.