You need a Board Certified Prosthodontist when you have complex dental problems.
- You are concerned about the quality of your dental care.
- You need a dentist who can restore optimal appearance and function to your smile.
- You need a dentist with advanced training in esthetic restoration and replacement of teeth.
Prosthodontists are often referred to as the “architect” or the “captain” of the multidisciplinary restorative/ esthetic team and often collaborate with other specialists such as periodontists, oral surgeons, and endodontists to facilitate the complete treatment of your condition.
Prosthodontics (dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry) is one of only nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). It is the only specialty dedicated to reconstructive, esthetic and implant dentistry. The ADA accredited program consists of 3 years of rigorous post-doctoral clinical training, following dental school, including hands on fabrication of prosthetic appliances in the lab and classroom instruction. Prosthodontists are highly trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating complex dental conditions, specialized in the diagnosis, restoration, and replacement of missing teeth and are dedicated to the highest standard of care. Prosthodontists restore oral function through the placement of restorations or prostheses (dentures, crowns, implants, etc.).
Why Visit a Prosthodontist?
Quality is attainable if you work within your skill-set. Your general dentist should refer you to: an endodontist for a root canal treatment, a periodontist for gum treatment or an orthodontist for braces. Each of these specialists is focused on their particular field and can produce high-quality outcomes. It may seem that the skill set of a prosthodontist is similar to that of a general dentist, however the educated patient realizes that a prosthodontist offers a higher skill level, more treatment options and very customized solutions. The specialty was developed to excel in complex treatments involving individualized, uninterrupted appointments that utilize the most advanced bio-materials and reconstructive techniques to establish natural looking, esthetically pleasing teeth. Shouldn’t you select a specialist with the appropriate skill-set to care for your dental needs?
Is a Prosthodontist different from a “cosmetic dentist”?
The field of “cosmetic dentistry” is not a specialty recognized by the ADA. Many cosmetic dentists receive training during seminars or a series of courses, but this training is usually limited to weekend or possibly weeklong courses.
Prosthodontics, the speciality of Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, is the only specialty that offers extensive formal clinical training in esthetic procedures (often described as cosmetic dentistry). There are only 3,200 prosthodontists in comparison to 170,000 general dentists in the United States. Post-graduate programs in prosthodontics are highly sought after and involve much time, money and effort to complete.
