Each year, more people trust Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) prosthodontists with their restorative dentistry needs. But what does a prosthodontist do, anyway? Here, Dr. Nupur Patel, a PDM faculty member and prosthodontist in Philadelphia, takes on a few of the frequent myths that keep people from taking advantage of the specialized services of a prosthodontist.
Get the Facts: What Prosthodontist Specialists Do—and Why You Need One
Let’s clear up three common misconceptions about prosthodontists.
MYTH 1: Dentists can do all the same procedures that prosthodontists do–crowns, implants, veneers, and dentures.
FACT: General dentists are licensed to do all these procedures, but on a smaller and simpler scale because they don’t have the educational background that a prosthodontist has. Most dental schools have minimal requirements in these areas, while a prosthodontist specialist has completed many complex treatments before receiving their certificate. While some dentists may not have even completed a dental implant case, a prosthodontist completes two to four years of training beyond dental school to practice these procedures. So, prosthodontists have the answers you need if you have questions about a chipped crown, dentures, or veneers.
MYTH 2: Technology has taken the skill out of being a dentist. That’s why it’s best to shop for dentists based on price.
FACT: While technology supports better diagnoses and produces more precise instruments, the main action in dentistry is in the hands. Hand skills are critical to the advanced dental training a prosthodontist specialist receives. Surgical procedures such as implant placement require years of training and experience. Every prosthodontic case is different, but they all combine science with art.
MYTH 3: Only top earners can afford prosthodontist costs.
FACT: Market pressure and competition make it possible for people from many walks of life to enjoy prosthodontic services. Most prosthodontists’ costs are only slightly higher than those of general dentists. When you consider a prosthodontist’s education and level of specialization, you’ll realize that this makes an excellent bargain. You get a highly specialized professional with much more experience for minimally higher rates than the average dentist.
Why Visit a PDM Prosthodontist in Philadelphia?
Penn Dental Medicine has the only prosthodontic program of its kind in the greater Philadelphia region. We’re happy and proud to be able to offer our services to patients who want to perfect their smile!
If you’re struggling with grinding, staining, missing, or broken teeth, or just want to have your teeth restored for aesthetic purposes, then you are like many of the clients who come to take advantage of our state-of-the-art prosthodontic services.
If you’re unsure what you need, please come for a consultation. As the most highly qualified dentists in the practice, we can guarantee that, whatever your condition, you’ll get an expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from our prosthodontist specialists.
Contact us by calling 215-898-8965 to schedule your first appointment with a member of our expert prosthodontist team.
