Have you been told that you need to visit a prosthodontist? Perhaps your dentist or healthcare provider recommended this type of dental specialist. A prosthodontist is a specialist with advanced training to treat tooth loss. These professionals are dentists with additional education through American Dental Association-accredited institutions to perform a variety of treatments like fitting patients for custom full and partial dentures, bridges, and dental implants.
When compared to a general dentist, a prosthodontist offers highly focused services that assist with restoring a person’s appearance and oral function after tooth loss. General dentists are trained to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the health of teeth and gums in a broader sense. While general dentists can receive training to place prosthetics, a specialist of prosthodontics can work with complex cases of tooth loss to produce long-lasting solutions that improve oral health.
What does prosthodontic care entail?
Receiving prosthodontic care can entail many things. For some, receiving a full or partial denture is what’s involved in this form of treatment. Others might require more complex treatment plans that include combinations of dental implants and attached restorations like crowns and bridges. Sometimes those receiving prosthetic teeth may also see other specialists like oral and maxillofacial surgeons who work with their prosthodontist.
How does one become a dental specialist?
After earning a standard doctor of dental surgery (DDS), an aspiring prosthodontist will then conduct residency and/or internship training in his or her specialty of choice. Upon completing advanced training, a dental specialist will then have to take and pass rigorous examinations for board certification.
When it comes to prosthodontics, a specialist will need to pass examinations from the American Board of Prosthodontics. These specialists will also need to become re-certified every eight years.
Prosthetics are life changing for those affected with tooth loss. Advancements in technology and treatment techniques have made living with prosthetic teeth more lifelike than ever before.
Call Dakota Prosthodontics and Implant Center today to reserve a tooth replacement consultation with our team.
