The American Dental Association defines prosthodontics as the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prosthetics. Like other areas of dentistry, prosthodontists must complete four years of dental school, where they are trained in the various aspects of dentistry including cleaning, scaling, fillings, root canal treatments, crowns, tooth excavations.
Prosthodontists specialize in replacing broken or missing teeth and other aspects of oral restoration work. This specialization of dentistry requires an extra 3 years of dental school to learn about fixed prosthodontics and removable prosthodontics.
Removable Prosthodontics:
Removable prosthodontics is the replacement of a missing tooth or teeth with temporary devices like full dentures or partial dentures and can be removed at will by the patient.
Fixed Prosthodontics:
Fixed prosthodontics is the replacement of a missing tooth or teeth or a broken tooth with veneers, implants, crowns or bridges. Once they are implanted, they cannot be removed.
A general dentist is trained to handle the routine dental and oral care and minor procedures like cleanings and fillings. A general dentist will be your primary dental care provider. Prosthodontists, on the other hand, are trained to make broken or missing teeth look whole and natural. Prosthodontics also includes performing complex surgeries, including synchronizing implants with crowns and inserting veneers or crowns onto each tooth. In order to perform these procedures effectively, prosthodontists are also trained in mouth sculpting which is ensuring the structure of the mouth, gums, and teeth all comfortable and looks natural.
Prosthodontists are able to evaluate the integrity and strength of teeth and the patient’s bone structure. They are also able to treat those areas of the mouth that require specialized care in instances of trauma. They don’t just worry about a single tooth; they consider and care for the entire mouth.
In cases of serious injury, a patient may have multiple broken or lost teeth and requires the assistance of a prosthodontist. Caring for a patient undergoing prosthodontic surgery requires more than one dentist. For example, an orthodontist is needed to apply braces to help straighten teeth. A periodontist will care for the placements and perform surgery on the gums. The oral surgeon will extract broken teeth and guide the placement of implants. The prosthodontist is the one coordinates the sequences of treatments to ensure the surgeries and implants are performed to the desired, natural and functional result.
To recap, a prosthodontist specializes in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth and mouth (jaw) structure so that the patient will have a natural-looking mouth after procedures are performed. Prosthodontists are also in high demand because of the number of accidents, injury, and even tooth decay that require replacing teeth and even some facial reconstructive surgery.
If you’re considering a dental transition and are looking into prosthodontic healthcare to work for you, talk to the dental practice transition consultants at Aptus Exchange. We can help.
