A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on restoring and replacing missing or damaged teeth. They are experts in prosthodontics, a branch of dentistry that deals with designing, fabricating, and fitting dental prostheses such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Prosthodontists receive extensive training beyond dental school, completing a postgraduate prosthodontics program that typically lasts three to four years.
Everything You Need to Know About Dental Specialties
Prosthodontists play a crucial role in helping patients improve their oral function, comfort, appearance, and overall quality of life. They work closely with other dental professionals, such as general dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons, to provide comprehensive dental care. Some of the services provided by prosthodontists include:
- Replacing missing teeth with dental prostheses, such as complete or partial dentures.
- Restoring damaged or decayed teeth with crowns, inlays, or onlays.
- Replacing one or more missing teeth with dental bridges or implants.
- Enhancing the appearance of teeth through cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers.
- Managing complex dental cases that involve rehabilitation of the entire oral cavity.
- Collaborating with other dental specialists to plan and execute multidisciplinary treatment plans.
Prosthodontists do a lot of procedures that general dentists may do as well, but if your case is more complex and needs expertise, working with a prosthodontist may be a better choice, even though it will be more expensive.
Other dental specialties:
