Your primary dentist can also perform some of the more invasive procedures, such as endodontics, but they can also refer you to a dentist who specializes in this type of treatment. Dental specialists include endodontists, periodontists and prosthodontists. A prosthodontist is a professional who works to help people recover their smiles after losing teeth or having their teeth repaired. For example, prosthodontists may place crowns or caps on teeth after undergoing endodontic treatment. When a patient's tooth cannot be saved through endodontic care, a prosthodontist can help remove the tooth and find a replacement option for the patient.
What does root canal retreatment involve? The term “prosthesis” means replacement and “doncist” means treating teeth. Basically, prosthodontists are THE recognized experts when you need to replace anything in your mouth. This can range from a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth and gums in your mouth. While many other dentists can perform some of these treatments, prosthodontists are the specialists who dedicate themselves to this type of care. Prosthodontists focus on very specific areas of dentistry and restoration, while dentists take care of all the basics related to maintaining functional and healthy teeth.
If you've never lost a tooth or needed a crown, you've probably never visited a prosthodontist. Specifically, a prosthodontist works to fix problems related to tooth loss or jaw problems. Prosthodontists, such as orthodontists, periodontists and endodontists, are experts in one of the eight specialty fields recognized by the American Dental Association. If you have lost one or more teeth, the prosthodontist may choose a bridge as the best method of tooth replacement for you. You may need to see a prosthodontist if the treatment plan to restore your smile is more advanced or complex. A prosthodontist will create a dental implant for you that consists of a titanium pole and a false tooth.
If so, you'll need to return to the prosthodontist for surgeries to have the implant components placed as a permanent replacement for the extracted tooth. A prosthodontist attends four years of dental school to become a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). After earning one of these degrees, the dentist undergoes another three years of studies accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) for prosthodontics. There are many differences between a prosthodontist and a general dentist, but the biggest difference is that the former deals with replacing or removing teeth, essentially anything that needs to be replaced in the mouth. When you have suffered damage to your teeth due to trauma, decay, or other factors, a prosthodontist works to restore the appearance and function of those teeth.
