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You may have heard of a prosthodontist - but what services do they offer, and how can they help? In this post, our dentists in Napanee share a few facts on what this specialist does and what type of dental surgery they perform.
What is prosthodontics?
Our teeth can become badly damaged due to trauma, disease, teeth grinding, cavities, acid exposure/erosion (due to diet or disease), not enough saliva or restorations that fail.
While your general dentist might be able to resolve some issues, we may refer you to a prosthodontist if for comprehensive treatment and dental surgery if your case is more complex.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, treatment planning, maintenance and restoration of a patient's oral function, appearance, comfort and health.
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics.
This individual holds a specialty designation from a provincial dental regulatory body. Beyond a general dental degree, he or she has 2 to 3 years of additional training in clinical restorative procedures.
A prosthodontist is an expert in diagnosing dental issues, planning treatments and preventing further dental issues. A prosthodontist is somewhat of an 'oral architect' - they create treatment plans and ensure treatment sequences are synchronized between medical and dental specialists, in addition to general dentists to provide the most comprehensive patient care. With a prosthodontist's services, missing tissues or teeth are replaced with artificial substitutes and your natural teeth are restored.
While the dentists at Got Smile Dental Centre can complete restorations, specialized cases would be referred to a prosthodontist.
Which services does a prosthodontist offer?
A prosthodontist offers a wide range of dental surgery services, such as:
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Fillings
- Cosmetic procedures
- Implants
- Mouth guards
- Veneers
When would we refer you to a prosthodontist?
For patients who have suffered serious damage to their teeth through trauma or as a result of injury or disease, their case may be so advanced that it requires high-quality attention and care from a prosthodontist. These specialists are recognized for their knowledge when anything in your mouth needs to be replaced, from one or two teeth to all teeth and gums in the mouth. Prosthodontists often lead teams of general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to create customized solutions to fulfill your dental needs.
Leveraging their extensive training and experience, prosthodontists have a specialized understanding of the dynamics of your smile and how to preserve your healthy mouth. They can also explain these concepts and answer questions you may have.
You and your dentist may decide you need a prosthodontist because they are trained in specific techniques and procedures that help treat complex oral health conditions. They can help restore your smile's function and appearance.
At Got Smile Dental Centre, we assess patients and make evaluations on a case-by-case basis and can tell you whether a prosthodontist would be the best dental professional to perform your procedure.