You may have heard of a prosthodontist, but many patients are unsure of the services they offer, and how can they help you. Today, our Ottawa dentists discuss what a prosthodontist is and how they help care for your teeth.
What Is Prosthodontics?
Our teeth can become badly damaged due to disease or trauma, cavities, teeth grinding, restorations that fail, acid exposure/erosion (from disease or diet), or not enough saliva.
While your general dentist may be able to resolve some of your dental issues, if your case is more complex, a prosthodontist may be required for comprehensive treatment and dental surgery.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, restoration and maintenance of a patient’s oral function, appearance, health and comfort.
What Does a Prosthodontist Do?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics.
This highly skilled individual holds a specialty designation from a provincial dental regulatory body. They will have 2 to 3 years of additional training in clinical restorative procedures beyond a general dental degree.
A prosthodontist is an expert in diagnosing dental issues, planning treatments, and preventing further dental issues. Think of a prosthodontist as an 'architect' of the oral cavity. They develop treatment plans and ensure treatment sequences are synchronized between medical and dental specialists, as well as general dentists to provide the most comprehensive patient care. With a prosthodontist's services, your natural teeth will be restored, and missing teeth or tissues are replaced with artificial substitutes.
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 You May Require 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.
At Sandy Hill 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.
