Prosthodontist refers to a dental specialist in prosthodontics a branch of dentistry that focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and parts of the jaw. A prosthodontist is differentiated from a regular dentist by an additional two to three years of training. Their duties include the creation restoration and replacement of human teeth with a variety of different procedures and applications.
Prosthodontists offer a variety of services. Its main one is the replacement of missing teeth with prosthesis which can take a number of different forms. The best option for prosthesis are dental implant supported bridges but other options include tooth supported fixed bridges and removable dentures. The importance of replacing missing with prosthesis is the future prevention of losing other teeth. Existing teeth will shift if a missing tooth is not replaced in order to compensate for the empty space remaining. Crooked teeth due to the difficulty in cleaning between them can lead to further tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease which can contribute to the loss of other teeth.
Besides implanting prosthesis prosthodontists also provide a number of services in cosmetic dentistry. Due to the importance of healthy teeth in maintaining an attractive appearance prosthodontists offer a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. These include teeth whitening and bonding techniques to maintain an esthetically pleasing set of teeth. Additionally prosthodontists are specialists in the reshaping of teeth with veneers dental crowns and dental bridges. These procedures are done to one's tooth with the interest of enhancing the patient's oral healthcare and retaining the look of natural teeth.
Additionally prosthodontists collaborate with other doctors to provide treatment for patients in need of correction for oral and facial problems. Some of these problems include birth defects such as cleft lip and palate a condition in which parts of the face are unable to fuse leaving an open space; aiding those with temporomandibular joints (TMJ) dysfunction syndrome pain and limited movement in the TMJ which are the joints that connect the mandible (lower jaw) to the temporal bones at the side of the head; and those that have suffered traumatic injuries to the mouth's structure and/or teeth.
