Why See a Prosthodontist?

Dental School is a grueling 4 years of pre-dental plus 4 years of Dental School. That’s if you want to be a General Dentist. If you want to continue your education and become a specialized Dentist, that could mean an additional 3-4 years, depending on your specialty.

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed dental school plus three additional years of advanced training and education in an ADA-accredited prosthodontic graduate program. Prosthodonitists specialize in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing tooth and jaw structures. A prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more.

What would be the reasons that you would need to go and see a specialized Prosthodontist instead of just your General Dentist?

Replacing Lost Teeth: The loss of natural teeth, whether in an accident or as part of the aging process, can be traumatic and affect your outlook on life. Things that seem so simple, such as smiling or going out to eat, can become a source of stress or embarrassment if you have missing teeth. There are many different options to help fill in your gaps and have you feeling confident again.

Crowns, bridges, and full or partial dentures are just some of the procedures that can help you regain your smile and improve your appearance.

Another option is dental implants, a more permanent solution that has improved greatly over the last ten years, thanks to the pioneering techniques of prosthodontists.

Complex Care Management: Prosthodontists have been trained to manage the most complex dental restorations. From patients requiring rehabilitation after a traumatic injury to creating new smiles for those born with genetic facial deficits, prosthodontists have the special skills needed to restore smiles to be the absolute best that they possibly can be.

Cosmetic / Esthetic Dentistry: A healthy smile has a significant impact on self-esteem. If you are like many Americans and are unhappy about the “look” of your smile, you may want to consult a prosthodontist.

With their advanced training, prosthodontists can improve your appearance by fixing broken, discolored or misshapen teeth. Some of the procedures that can be done to improve your smile are:

  • Placing complete ceramic esthetic crowns or “caps” onto teeth: With technology today it is almost impossible to tell the difference between esthetic teeth and real teeth.
  • Placing veneers onto teeth to conceal defects: For veneers, prosthodontists bond thin porcelain to the teeth, perfecting their shape, position and color.
  • Using bonding technology on a tooth’s surface to change its shape or to close unwanted gaps: Color matching of composite will help make your teeth blend in with all your other teeth.
  • Bleaching discolored teeth to brighten and whiten a smile: One of the easiest and quickest ways to change your smile.

So why pick a Pro instead of your General Dentist? Some General Dentist can perform reconstructive dental work after just a weekend course on certain procedures. However, a Prosthodontist received an extra three year of intense, formal training beyond regular dental school.
If you are seeking cosmetic or reconstructive dental work, you should do research before making a decision in order to ensure proper care. As ADA recognized specialists, prosthodontists are qualified to offer care in state-of-the-art procedures and techniques, such as:

  • Dental implants
  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Complex care management involving multiple specialists
  • Complete and removable partial dentures
  • Replacing lost teeth
  • Special needs of geriatric patients
  • Children born with cleft palate or missing teeth
  • Temporomandibular joint syndrome/disorder
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Snoring and sleep disorders
  • Maxillofacial prosthetic procedures such as oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care

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

Testimonials

What I really appreciate is Dr. Clark's genuine concern about my overall well being and his ability to come up with a clear game plan, set priorities, and offer options. I like his decisiveness.

– Lori Rocklin, CA