When you make the decision to improve your quality of life with a new and improved smile, you’ll understandably have a lot of questions you want answered. One of the first questions many people considering dental implants ask is, “what kind of dentist handles dental implant procedures?” After a bit of research, you’ll come across the term “prosthodontist”. But what exactly is a prosthodontist and how do they differ from a family dentist or cosmetic dentist? Becoming familiar with the prosthodontist specialty is the first step in your journey towards a better smile.
What is a Prosthodontist?
Let’s start with the basics. The term “prostho” means replacement and “dontist” means dealing with teeth. Also known as “architects of the smile”, prosthodontists are highly trained specialists with a comprehensive understanding of all the elements that go into a smile that is not only beautiful, but functional, strong, and natural-looking, as well. Essentially, prosthodontists are the recognized experts when it comes to tooth replacement and implant dentistry.
While any dentist can take a few cosmetic dental procedure courses and call themselves a “cosmetic dentist”, prosthodontists are one of the nine American Dental Association (ADA)-recognized dental specialties. To become a prosthodontist, a dentist must complete three to four more years of training after dental school in order to learn the intricacies of cosmetic dentistry. To put it in perspective, there are only 3,200 prosthodontists practicing in the United States, compared to 170,000 general dentists!
What Types of Procedures Can a Prosthodontist Perform?
As a highly specialized field that involves countless hours of clinical experience, prosthodontics are equipped to take on the most simple, same-day single tooth implant to a complex, full scale restoration. They handle everything from diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, as well as the comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth.
In addition to regular cleanings and routine dental care, most prosthodontists offer the following treatments:
Porcelain Veneers: wafer-thin ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of the teeth to change the size, shape or color.
Crowns: artificial covers, also known as “caps”, made of metal or porcelain that replace the entire visible surface of a tooth above the gum line with the roots of the tooth intact.
Dental Implants: the replacement of an entire tooth (or multiple teeth) involving a titanium, screw-like metal post which is implanted in the jaw providing a solid anchor.
Bridge Implants: tooth-replacement using the existing, healthy teeth on either side of a gap to support one or more artificial teeth.
Dentures: removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore a smile.
Choose a Dallas Prosthodontist for Your Tooth Replacement
With their years of advanced education and training, efficiency, and expertise with advanced technology, prosthodontists are the leaders in restoring and replacing teeth. Dr. Riad Almasri is a Dallas prosthodontist who performs dental implant procedure, specializing in the FastNewSmile® (similar to all-on-4 dental implants) technique – the least expensive and efficient way to get a permanent smile that is both beautiful and functional. Contact FastNewSmile® today and get one day implants for life.