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Oral
Rehabilitation

– WHAT IS IT?

Oral Rehabilitation aims to care for the structures of the mouth in order to restore their appearance and functionality.

This is the area of dentistry responsible for correcting problems in the structures of the oral cavity (teeth, gums or bones) in order to restore their functionality and aesthetics.

Rehabilitation can be total or partial, depending on the patient’s needs, i.e. whether there are still healthy structures that can be used or not. If not, a generalized, in-depth and complex approach is required.

What specialties does Oral Rehabilitation use?

Oral Rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes specialties such as:

  • Orthodontics: positioning and appearance of teeth;
  • Periodontology: gums and bones in the oral cavity;
  • Implantology: implantation of prostheses;
  • Endodontics: problems with the dental pulp (nerve), i.e. the tissues inside and adjacent to the teeth.

Who is Oral Rehabilitation aimed at?

Oral Rehabilitation is aimed at anyone who wants to improve the functionality of their mouth or restore the aesthetics of their smile.

However, this area of dentistry is especially sought after by those with one or more of the following problems:

  • Tooth loss;
  • Bad occlusion;
  • Broken, chipped or worn teeth;
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction;
  • Misalignment of teeth and diastemas;
  • Chewing difficulties;
  • Pain or discomfort when eating;
  • Changes in the appearance of the teeth, such as stains.

What types of treatment are used in Oral Rehabilitation?:

The new techniques that have been discovered mean that Oral Rehabilitation treatments are increasingly successful and have better results.

Some of the most common and effective Oral Rehabilitation procedures are:

Dental implants

These replace the roots of lost teeth.

Normally, after the implants have been placed, a prosthesis is fitted, which will improve the aesthetics of the patient’s smile;

Fixed or removable prostheses

These replace one or more natural teeth.

They can be placed on implants permanently or removed later, depending on the patient’s needs;

Dental veneers

They serve as a very thin cover that is fixed to the outer surface of some teeth, correcting their shade, shape, slight misalignments or diastemas with natural effects.

They can be made of ceramic (more resistant) or composite resin;

Dental braces

They can be fixed or removable and are used to correct the position of teeth and/or occlusion;

Teeth whitening

Used to combat darkening of the teeth, harmonizing the shade of the smile;

Scaling

This removes tartar from the teeth, reducing the build-up of plaque and preventing inflammation;

Application of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) and/or Hyaluronic Acid

Used to help treat various disorders such as bruxism, gummy smiles, facial asymmetry and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions.

What are the main advantages of Oral Rehabilitation?

In functional terms, Oral Rehabilitation makes it possible to restore the normal functioning of the mouth, in terms of its bone, joint and muscle structures, eliminating pain or discomfort when speaking or eating, for example.

Thus, through Oral Rehabilitation it is possible to recover basic and essential functions such as diction, occlusion and chewing.

In this sense, other functions are improved, because if food is chewed better, the digestive process will also benefit. Tasting and taste buds are also improved.

In aesthetic terms, Oral Rehabilitation provides greater harmony and facial symmetry, rejuvenating the patient’s face by better framing their smile. As such, Oral Rehabilitation helps to increase the patient’s self-esteem and self-confidence, improving their social and professional relationships.

In what situations are fixed dental prostheses recommended?

There are situations in which fixed dental prostheses are advisable. This is the case with:

  • Missing teeth;
  • Correction of stained/darkened teeth or teeth with a change in shape;
  • Correcting the alignment of teeth;
  • Support for skeletal prostheses;
  • Rehabilitation of extensively destroyed teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are some important things to remember about teeth whitening:

  • Teeth whitening should be done in a dental clinic in order to guarantee better results and also with the aim of preventing complications.
  • The results of teeth whitening vary from person to person and from the type of stains on the teeth.
  • Teeth whitening cannot be performed on patients under the age of 18.
  • The results of teeth whitening usually last between six months and two years. To best preserve the results, you should avoid red wine, coffee and smoking.
  • Botox results usually last between four and six months. However, they start to become noticeable a few days or two weeks after the treatment.
  • The Botox application procedure usually takes around half an hour, depending on the number of areas injected.
  • It’s usually a quick and painless procedure, and may only cause some slight, temporary discomfort.
  • As a rule, it is not necessary to undergo a recovery process, as Botox injections do not usually cause any side effects, apart from a slight bruise or swelling around the injected area.
  • The duration of dental veneers varies from case to case.
  • In addition to careful oral hygiene, professional cleaning should be carried out every 6 months and annual check-ups.
  • Dental veneers are very resistant. However, they can crack if subjected to strong pressure, such as eating very hard foods like nuts.

The benefits that come from Oral Rehabilitation treatments guarantee an improved quality of life for any patient. The technical evolution of this area of dentistry has made it possible to treat even difficult cases, putting an end to the physical and/or emotional suffering of many patients.

However, early intervention remains an asset. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to oral problems, even at an early stage, so that they don’t worsen and make oral rehabilitation more complex and time-consuming.

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    Oral Rehabilitation Team

    — Meet the team

    Dr. Dayana Silva

    Oral Rehabilitation | Paediatric Dentistry

    Dr. Inês Santos

    Paediatric Dentistry | Oral Rehabilitation
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