What Is a Prosthodontist? Prosthodontics is a dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving missing, misshapen, or insufficient teeth, jaw structures, or oral and maxillofacial tissues. Prosthodontists treat a wide variety of dental issues, from cleft palates to TMJ to cosmetic concerns. If you have a dental condition that is causing pain, bite issues, or otherwise interfering with your quality of life, our team of Prosthodontic professionals at Central Dental Specialists is here to help.The Difference Between a Prosthodontist and a DentistProsthodontists are different from dentists in that they have received advanced training in one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Following four years of dental school, prosthodontists complete three additional years in an ADA-accredited graduate program in Prosthodontics and become certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. Prosthodontists are highly specialized in performing restorative and reconstructive procedures on the teeth, gums, and jaw. Dentists refer patients to prosthodontists when treatment requires complex care that falls outside the realm of general dentistry. What Conditions Do Prosthodontists Treat?Prosthodontists diagnose and treat a wide array of conditions involving the teeth, mouth, jaw, lips, and maxillofacial tissues. We see patients who have lost teeth due to trauma, injury, decay, or natural aging. We also treat patients with bite issues, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), cleft palates, and even snoring disorders, sleep apnea, and oral cancer. Our team can also address cosmetic concerns such as reshaping teeth, closing gaps, color matching, or placing veneers. Who Should See a Prosthodontist?If you suffer from any of the above conditions or experience any other dental problems that cause you pain or negatively impact your quality of life, you should make an appointment with us so we can address the problem. Your dental health is a crucial component of your overall well-being, and our team of professionals is able to address and treat your concerns with compassion and expertise. We also know how important your smile is to you and your loved ones. If you are unhappy with the look of your smile, call our office to discuss the variety of cosmetic procedures we are able to perform to address your concerns. What Kinds of Procedures a Prosthodontist PerformsSome of the restorative procedures our team commonly performs include the placement of dental implants, dentures, bridges, and crowns or caps. A dental implant is the base for a crown, or artificial tooth. The types of dental implants we offer include all-on-four implants (for a full set of upper or lower replacement teeth), multiple teeth implants, or single tooth implants. Dental implants are a sturdy and permanent foundation for replacement teeth, and crowns are custom-engineered to match your natural teeth seamlessly. Dental bridges are porcelain replacement teeth, often singular, that are held in place by the surrounding natural teeth, rather than by an implant. Finally, dentures are sets of artificial teeth and gums that support the structure of your mouth if you have multiple lost or extracted teeth. The cosmetic side of Prosthodontics deals with the appearance of your smile rather than its function. Some of the cosmetic services our team provides include reshaping teeth, closing gaps between teeth, color matching, and the placement of veneers, or artificial covers that adhere to the front of the teeth and provide a natural-looking way to correct discrepancies in tooth shape or color. Whether you have lost teeth due to a traumatic injury or decay, experience an inflammatory nerve condition such as TMJ, or simply want to inquire about cosmetic services like veneers, our team of Prosthodontic professionals is available to help. To find out more information and schedule a consultation appointment, call Central Dental Specialists at (781) 438-6618 today. |
Central Dental Specialists |
