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You may have heard of the prosthodontist profession, but do you know what services they offer? In this blog, our Winnipeg dentists explain what a prosthodontist does and how they can help your oral health.
What is prosthodontics?
Just like other parts of the human body our teeth can get severely injured as a result of cavities, acid exposure/erosion (from diet or disease), trauma, restorations that fail, not enough saliva, or teeth grinding.
While your general dentist can correct some problems, if your situation is more complicated, they might have to refer you to a prosthodontist for in-depth treatment and dental surgery.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that includes diagnosing, treatment planning, restoring, and maintaining a patient’s oral function, health, appearance, and comfort.
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist that has successfully finished an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics.
This highly trained individual has a specialty designation from a provincial dental regulatory body. They have 2 to 3 years of additional training in clinical restorative procedures beyond a standard dental degree.
A prosthodontist is knowledgeable in diagnosing dental conditions, planning treatments, and preventing additional dental problems. Think of a prosthodontist as an 'oral architect'. 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 are restored, and missing teeth or tissues are replaced with artificial substitutes.
While the dentists at Odyssey Dental Care can complete restorations, we will refer specialized cases to a prosthodontist.
Which services can prosthodontists provide?
A prosthodontist can provide a variety of dental surgery services, including:
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
- Mouthguards
- Implants
- Cosmetic procedures
When will I be referred to a prosthodontist?
For patients that have experienced serious damage to their teeth as a result of injury, disease, or trauma, their case might be so advanced that it needs additional attention and care from a prosthodontist. These specialists are known for their knowledge when anything in your mouth has to be replaced, from one or two teeth to all of your teeth and gums. 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 can determine if you need to see a prosthodontist, 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 Odyssey Dental Care, we evaluate patients and make assessments on a case-by-case basis and can tell you if a prosthodontist would be the best dental professional to perform your procedure.