What does a prosthodontist do?

Have you been to the dentist lately? Have you seen the dental procedures that they offer? Some dentists nowadays are doing dental procedures that are not actually part of their area of specialty. A different dental professional should be providing these advanced services, like an orthodontist or a periodontist. But have you heard of a prosthodontist? What does a prosthodontist do and what procedures can he perform?

What is prosthodontics?

The word prosthodontics came from a combination of words that literally means teeth replacement. This specialized field in dentistry focuses on providing restorative replacement procedures for missing teeth. Its goal is to restore the look, function, and feel of your dental cavity so your overall general health will not be compromised and your confidence restored. The dental specialist that performs prosthodontic procedures is called prosthodontists.

What does a prosthodontist do?

A prosthodontist helps you cope and restore your smile after missing a tooth or teeth. They perform restorative procedures built and developed to replace the missing tooth you once had so that that your daily activities and function will not be affected. When you need a specialist to come up with the best tooth replacement for you and your needs, you should only go to a licensed prosthodontist for the best results.

What does a prosthodontist do: The procedures

There are now may missing teeth replacement procedures that are available for us to use. Here are the following procedures and appliances that a prosthodontist can offer his patients:

• Crowns
• Bridge (traditional, cantilever, Maryland, or implant-supported)
• Veneers (porcelain or resin)
• Inlays and onlays
• Dentures (complete or partial)
• Implants (single-tooth, all-on-4, or digital)
• Cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening and dental bonding in conjunction with prosthodontic appliances
• Nightguards, splints, and other customized or specialized mouthguards
• Dental prosthesis for jaw malfunction or injury

Why prefer a prosthodontist over your trusted dentist?

Well, we are not here to discriminate. Some dentists have harnessed their expertise in performing specialized procedures that only dental specialists should perform. Their practice sometimes extends to more specific procedures that are not necessarily part of their training and education. Most dental associations urge patients to seek professional help from specialists who are trained for more years in dealing with these advanced procedures and practices.

Prosthodontists, like other dental specialists, are all dentists. They are only called specialists because their practice focuses on one side of the dentistry field. Dentists are what we call jack-of-all-trades, or the primary care physician for medical conditions. Once you seek your dentist’s attention for a more complex condition, he should refer you to seek the services of a specialist because they have more experience and knowledge about these circumstances as they spent more time in school honing their skills to handle problems like yours.