As a result of that rigorous education and clinical instruction, this dental specialist has obtained the additional knowledge and skills that usually translate to more efficiently placed, longer lasting restorations, which also have better function and esthetics-which you would naturally expect from a specialist.

Since, the Prosthodontic training program places the student in very stringent practice settings in order to handle the most difficult cases, the Prosthodontist is a better equipped to handle contingency issues on cases of any size, which frequently occur with difficult teeth to restore, reconstructions, cosmetic dentistry, and implant therapy. He or she learns all of the important restorative materials necessary to achieve the best strength and esthetics, how to most effectively use them, and how to predictably create a comfortable bite, which are all very important aspects of restorative dentistry.

While there is no “dental implant specialist” as recognized by the American Dental Association, the Prosthodontist is that practitioner who receives implant restoration training in a closely monitored, ongoing clinical setting, which is vastly different than being trained during weekend short courses. Most programs also teach the prospective Prosthodontist specialist to surgically place the implant and they are best situated to do so, since they know precisely the design of the restoration and the best location of the implant to accommodate it. However, most Prosthodontists do not include implant surgical placement as a part of their treatment regimen.

In summation, the Prosthodontist is a restorative dentist with extensive training beyond dental school, and who, therefore, is best suited to handle the issues that frequently present with restoring a patient’s dentition.

The post Dental Specialist Spotlight: What is a Prosthodontist? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.