What are "Prosthodontist"?

Prosthodontist. Definitely a word that isn’t very well known. So what is a prosthodontist and what do they do?

The term prosthodontist is a combination of “prosthetic” with the suffix of “dentist”.

As such, a prosthodontist is a dentist that specialises in “prosthetic teeth” aka artificial teeth. After mandatory dental school, a prosthodontist spends additional years in specialised training in the field of aesthetic restoration and replacement of teeth.

What is the difference between a prosthodontist and a dentist?

Prosthodontists specialise in the design, fabrication and placement of suitable teeth substitutes according to a patient’s teeth condition. Specially trained prosthodontists can correct facial issues in the jaw and lower face (maxillofacial) as well as mouth and neck, rebuilding your smile and establishing proper bite alignment after traumatic injuries or oral cancer.

It is possible for regular dentists to perform prosthodontics treatments, but a prosthodontist’s training makes him able to plan treatment for complex cases and full mouth rehabilitations.

When do you need to visit a prosthodontist?

Here are some signs which suggest that you might need to visit one:

• Missing teeth
• Damaged teeth
• Restoration of the root of missing or damaged teeth
• Maintenance or fixing of dentures
• Jaw, sleep, or snoring issues
• Having complex dental conditions such as traumatic injury and cancer
• Cosmetic reasons

So what are the treatments that prosthodontists offer?

Prosthodontics treatments are designed to strive for a balance between aesthetics, durability and functionality. These are the common treatments performed by prosthodontists:

1. Porcelain veneer
   • Made out of medical-grade porcelain
   • Veneers are placed and fixed on the damaged tooth’s enamel
   • Conceal stains, gaps, cracks, or misalignment
   • A durable option that can last up to 10 years or more
2. Dental implants
   • Replacement tooth roots made from metal that are implanted into your jawbone to allow a fixed or removable replacement teeth to fit on this post
   • For example, a crown placed on the implant will look and function as natural tooth
   • Unsuitable for those with low jaw bone density*
     You need to have adequate bone support. Dental implants need to fuse with your jawbone to be effective, so bone density and quality are of vital importance. However, in some cases, bone grafts or smaller implants can be used to achieve the desired results
   • Depending on complexity and individual recovery, the entire treatment duration can take up to 3 months or longer
   • Can last a lifetime with proper care
3. Dental crown
   • Similar to how veneers work, a crown acts like a cover that is placed over a reshaped tooth
   • It can be placed over a dental implant
   • Variety of durable materials to choose from
   • Not suitable for every case
   • Can last up to 10 years with proper care
4. Dental Bridge
   • A customised set of dentures or crowns to fill gaps of missing teeth
   • Can be applied via dental implant or crown method
   • Properties of the dental bridge rely on the method used
5. Dentures
   • * Acrylic base or porcelain prostheses placed over gums when a full or partial set of teeth are missing. Today there are removable or fixed, partial or full dentures

On the complicated spectrum, an experienced and highly skilled prosthodontists can perform oral maxillofacial procedures such as:

Jaw Treatment
Procedures on jaw bones and tissues due to TMJ (temporomandibular joint - the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull) disorders, or other causes of pain.

Maxillofacial Surgery
Maxillofacial (jaw and lower face) surgeries may be needed due to birth defects, or illness such as cancer or traumatic injuries from accidents.

The rapid developments in techniques and materials in dentistry had helped to make dental procedures precise, safer and more comfortable than before. Thanks to these innovations and to highly-qualified trainings available, dentists in all specialties can make your smile look perfectly natural and functional.

Unsure of where to start looking for a dental practitioner? Use our dental locator to seek out the ideal dentist for you!
https://www.toothcare2u.com/dentist_locator/

The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken before consulting a healthcare professional.
*Depends on individuals