Prosthodontist Definition: What You Need to Know

Do you know how a prosthodontist can reshape and restore your smile?

If you want to know how to define prosthodontist you can get a clear and concise definition from The American College of Prosthodontists. According to the ACP, prosthodontics is the field of dentistry that specializes in “the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues.”

In addition to completing dental school, a prosthodontist trains for an additional three years in an American Dental Association accredited prosthodontic graduate program, giving them the advanced training and education they need to provide specialized care and restore smiles.

Conditions Treated By a Prosthodontist

Now that you know how to officially define prosthodontist, it’s time to learn the symptoms and conditions they treat. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and conditions, it’s important to see your dentist and ask them to refer you to a prosthodontist to treat these issues.

Here are just some oral health conditions that should be treated by a prosthodontist:

• Broken or Chipped Teeth
• Difficulty Chewing
• Cavities or Tooth Decay
• Misshapen Teeth
• Missing Teeth
• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
• Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
• Jaw Pain
• Cleft Lip/Palate
• Oral Cancer

How a Prosthodontist Can Define Your Smile

While there is a wide range of dental issues listed above, along with other dental conditions not listed, prosthodontists are highly skilled to address each unique condition they come across. If need be, they will bring other dental specialists in on the treatment plan in order to provide each patient with the specific care they need for a reshaped, restored, and redefined smile.

Here are three treatments most commonly used by prosthodontists:

• Caps and Crowns. Teeth that are misshapen, decayed, or cracked can be restored to their normal function with the use of “caps” or crowns. Crowns are also used in cases of root canals and to cover dental implants. Approximately 2.3 million dental crowns are made each year in the United States.
• Dental Implants. For patients that are missing teeth, dental implants can be used to restore your smile to a more natural-looking, longer-lasting smile. Dental Im/plants are titanium cylinders surgically implanted in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Implants are the replacement root that supports a crown, dental bridge, and full implant dentures.
• Occlusal Splints. Occlusal splints or orthotic splints are used for those who grind their teeth (Bruxism), those who suffer from pain in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or those who’ve had mouth reconstruction. These splints help correct or guide the jaw from harmful habits. These splints also position the lower jaw to improve airflow to patients who have sleep apnea.

Prosthodontic Care at Penn Dental Medicine

If you’d like to see how a prosthodontist can help define the future of your oral health, please contact us at Penn Dental Medicine.

Call 215-898-8965 to find out how you can become our next patient.