What is a Prosthodontist?
Upon graduating from dental school, Prosthodontists are dentists who receive an extra three years of specialized training in an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate program. Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the ADA. The term “prostho” means replacement and “dontist” means dealing with teeth. Simply put, Prosthodontists are dental specialists dealing with the replacement of missing teeth and tooth structure. A Prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more.
How is that Different than a General Dentist?
In most cases, general dentists are more than qualified to take care of most dental needs. However, complex cases may require the intervention of dental specialists. Much like how Orthodontists focus on braces, and Endodontists focus on root canals, Prosthodontists are responsible for the overall esthetics, function, and restoration of your teeth and smile. Additionally, prosthodontic education involves proficiency in state of the art techniques, utilization of digital technology, and in-depth knowledge of dental bio-materials. This added training helps to provide predictable, successful, and highly esthetic outcomes.
When Should you Visit a Prosthodontist?
- You want to improve the esthetic nature of your smile.
- You have missing teeth in need of replacement.
- You have worn and/or broken down teeth.
- You are interested in dental implants, crowns/bridges, dentures, or partial dentures.
- You suffer from a TMJ disorder.
