Do you know what kind of services prosthodontists offer? Today, our Winnipeg dentists explain what this specialist does and how they can help improve your oral health.
What is prosthodontics?
Just like other parts of your body, your teeth can get seriously damaged as a result of teeth grinding, cavities, trauma, disease, not enough saliva, restorations that fail, or acid exposure/erosion (from disease or diet).
While your primary care dentist can help resolve lots of issues, if your situation is more complex, your dentist might have to refer you to a prosthodontist for comprehensive care and dental surgery.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that consists of 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 that has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics.
This 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 general dental degree.
A prosthodontist has expertise in diagnosing dental conditions, treatment planning, and preventing additional dental problems. Think of a prosthodontist as an 'oral architect'. They develop treatment plans and make sure treatment sequences are synchronized between medical and dental specialists, as well as general dentists in order to provide comprehensive patient care. With a prosthodontist's services, your natural teeth are restored, and missing teeth or tissues are replaced with artificial substitutes.
While our dentists at Academy Dental Group can complete restorations, we refer specialized cases to a prosthodontist.
What services do prosthodontists offer?
A prosthodontist offers a variety of dental surgery services, including:
- Mouthguards
- Fillings
- Veneers
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Implants
- Cosmetic procedures
When will we send you to a prosthodontist?
For patients that are suffering from serious damage to their teeth as a result of trauma, injury, or disease, their case might be so advanced that they need high-quality attention and care from a prosthodontist. These specialists are recognized for their knowledge when anything in your mouth has to be replaced, from one or two teeth to all teeth and gums in the mouth. Prosthodontists often lead teams of general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to create customized solutions to meet your dental requirements.
Using their extensive experience and training prosthodontists have an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of your smile and how to preserve your healthy mouth. They can also use these concepts and answer questions you may have.
You and your dentist can decide if you require a prosthodontist because they are trained in specific techniques and procedures that could help treat complex oral health issues. They can help restore the appearance and function of your smile.
At Academy Dental Group, 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.