You may have heard of a prosthodontist, but what services do they specialize in and how can they help you? Here, our Yarmouth dentists provide a few facts on what this specialist does and what type of dental surgery they perform.
What is prosthodontics?
Just like other parts of our body, our teeth may become badly damaged because of disease or trauma, teeth grinding cavities restorations that fail, or acid exposure or erosion caused by disease or diet.
While a general dentist may be able to help resolve some of these issues in your smile, a prosthodontist is a dental specialist that you will be referred to address more complex cases with comprehensive treatments and surgeries.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, treatment planning, restoration and maintenance of a patient’s oral function, appearance, health and comfort.
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics.
This highly skilled individual holds a specialty designation from a provincial dental regulatory body. He or she has 2 to 3 years of additional training in clinical restorative procedures beyond a general dental degree.
Prosthodontists are experts in diagnosing dental issues, planning treatments and preventing further dental issues from arising in the future. Some think of prosthodontists as 'oral architects,' developing treatment plans and helping to synchronize treatments between medical specialists, dental specialists and general dentists to provide integrated and comprehensive patient care. With a prosthodontist's services, your natural teeth are restored, and missing teeth or tissues are replaced with artificial substitutes.
While the dentists at SouthWest Dental can complete restorations, we would send specialized cases to a prosthodontist.
Which services does a prosthodontist offer?
A prosthodontist offers a wide range of dental surgery services, such as:
- Fillings
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Implants
- Mouth guards
- Cosmetic procedures
When would we refer you to a prosthodontist?
For patients that have suffered serious damage to their teeth as a result of trauma, injury or disease, their case may be so advanced that it requires high-quality attention and care from the prosthodontist. These specialists are recognized for their knowledge when anything in your mouth requires replacement, from one or two teeth to all of the 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 SouthWest Dental, 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.
