Prosthodontics is one of eight dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The typical prosthodontic training includes four years of dental school and three years of Prosthodontic Training in areas of dentistry that include crowns, bridges, dentures, cosmetics, tempromandibular joint function and dental implants.

A Prosthodontist provides an extremely high level of care for patients who are missing teeth or have significant damage to their existing teeth. Prosthodontists deal with congenital defects as well as problems arising from trauma and neglect. The Prosthodontist can aid in the rehabilitation of a complete dentition or merely in the replacement of one or two teeth. With the advent of dental implants as a viable means of replacing teeth, the prosthodontist's role has expanded substantially. The prosthodontist can supply the control and expertise that is necessary to make an implant supported restoration look and function properly.

A prosthodontist will usually treat the more difficult dental problems such as people who are missing many teeth or have significant functional or aesthetic problems. While the general practitioner is capable of handling most simple crown and bridge procedures to replace and repair missing teeth. When it comes to restoring an entire arch or the whole mouth, the prosthodontist is indicated for this difficult and complex type of dental treatment.

Patients contemplating dental implants or major changes in their appearance should consult with a prosthodontist to assure that they are gaining the best possible care for their dentition. These difficult treatments require the expertise that is only available by a trained prosthodontist.

Training requirements for prosthodontics are very strict and standardized throughout the country. Dentist from all over the world compete to get into the training programs that are here in the United states. Prosthodontic programs are usually small and extremely difficult to get into.

Rigorous training and experience provide Prosthodontists with the special understanding of the dynamics of the smile, the preservation of a healthy mouth, and the creation of tooth replacements. Serving as the "architect" of a dental treatment plan, Prosthodontists collaborate with general dentists, specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your dental concerns.
 

Dentistry has the following recognized specialties:

• Prosthodontics
• Periodontics
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Endodontics
• Oral Pathology
• Public Health
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

General dentists are trained to do most of the procedures in everyday dentistry. The specialists are utilized to provide a higher standard of care and to treat the more difficult patients. Any dentist, for instance, may extract a tooth or make a crown. An oral surgeon is often consulted for difficult extractions such as wisdom teeth and other maxillofacial surgical procedures while a prosthodontist might be consulted for a complete set of crowns or a major rehabilitation of the mouth.