What Is A Prosthodontist?

Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and replacement of teeth. After completing four years of dental school, prosthodontists receive three years of specialized training in an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate education program. Prosthodontics is one of the eight dental specialties recognized by the ADA.

Rigorous training and experience provide prosthodontists with the special understanding of the dynamics of the smile, the preservation of a healthy mouth, and the creation of tooth replacements.

Serving as the "architect" of a dental treatment plan, prosthodontists collaborate with general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental concerns.

Protecting Your Teeth

Years of eating, chewing, and for many, nightly "grinding" can affect your teeth in many ways. For example, excessive wear on teeth with large fillings or root canals can lead to portions of teeth breaking off. To preserve the remaining tooth and prevent breakage, a prosthodontist may recommend various types of crowns or "caps" to restore the tooth. Prosthodontists are experts in managing the increased complexity of multiple tooth treatments, as well as providing "state of the art" solutions to protect and restore natural-looking smiles.

Replacing Lost Teeth

Teeth can be lost for a variety of reasons, including decay, gum disease, injury, medical and congenital problems, and even wear. The inability to enjoy certain foods and feeling self-conscious when you smile may cause a loss of self-esteem. Prosthodontists, experts in recreating nature's balance, understand that missing teeth have an immediate impact on a person's quality of life.

As the American Dental Association recognized specialist in tooth restoration and replacement, your prosthodontist can recommend and provide the best treatment available including:

• Single or multiple tooth replacements supported by dental implants.
• Crowns and bridges.
• Partial dentures and complete dentures.

Improving Your Smile

If you have ever been unhappy about the "look" of your smile, you may want to consult a prosthodontist. Their advanced specialty training can improve your appearance by restoring broken, discolored, or misshapen teeth. The psychological importance of cosmetic dentistry should not be underestimated, as it can greatly improve a person's self-image and quality of life. Some of the procedures which can improve your smile are:

• Placing complete ceramic esthetic crown "caps" onto teeth.
• Placing veneers (a very thin porcelain "shell") onto teeth to conceal defects.
• Using bonding technology on a tooth's surface to change its shape or to close gaps.
• Bleaching discolored teeth to brighten and whiten a smile.

Prosthodontists take great care and pride in providing their patients with esthetically attractive and natural-looking cosmetic restorations. All prosthodontists have extensive laboratory skills and knowledge of the materials used to restore and replace teeth.

Prosthodontists Can Help In Many Ways

As dental experts in state-of-the-art procedures and techniques, prosthodontists are able to treat many different, diverse dental conditions such as:

• Complex care management involving multiple specialists.
• Post oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care.
• Children born with missing teeth.
• TMD - jaw joint problems.
• Traumatic injuries.
• Snoring and sleep disorders.

Integrating natural-looking replacement materials with the patient's original facial structure into a comfortable and pleasing appearance is the prosthodontist's goal.

Prosthodontists are exceptionally skilled in "Creating - Generations of Smiles." Whatever your age, you owe it to yourself to see how a specialist in tooth restoration and tooth replacement can help you.