What Is a Prosthodontist?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

Prosthodontists are essential specialists in the field of dentistry, dedicated to restoring and replacing teeth to improve both function and aesthetics. Their advanced training and expertise enable them to handle complex dental cases, providing patients with high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing prosthetic solutions. Whether it’s through the use of innovative materials or advanced techniques, prosthodontists are at the forefront of dental restoration, ensuring that patients can enjoy improved oral health and a better quality of life.

A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of teeth. They are experts in prosthetic solutions, including dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental implants, aimed at restoring both function and aesthetics for patients with missing or damaged teeth. Prosthodontists undergo extensive training beyond dental school, typically involving a three-year residency program that provides in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in advanced dental restoration techniques.

Areas of Expertise

Prosthodontists are skilled in various areas, including:

• Complete Dentures: Prosthodontists design and fabricate complete dentures for patients who have lost all their teeth. Studies have shown that both traditional and simplified techniques can produce high-quality dentures, with no significant difference in patient satisfaction or prosthodontists’ ratings of denture quality3.
• Partial Dentures: These are used when some natural teeth remain. Prosthodontists ensure that partial dentures fit well and function effectively alongside the remaining teeth.
• Implant Prosthodontics: This involves the placement and restoration of dental implants. Prosthodontists are trained to handle complex cases, ensuring that implants are placed accurately and that the prosthetic teeth attached to them are functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Maxillofacial Prosthetics: This sub-specialty deals with the rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities that affect the mouth, face, and jaw. For instance, PEEK (polyetheretherketone) has been studied as a potential framework material for maxillofacial silicone prostheses due to its high bond strength and compatibility with silicone elastomers4.

Clinical Procedures

Prosthodontists perform a variety of clinical procedures, including:

• Denture Fabrication and Repair: They create and repair dentures, often incorporating advanced materials like zirconia nanoparticles to enhance the strength and durability of denture bases1.
• Crown and Bridge Work: Prosthodontists design and place crowns and bridges to restore damaged teeth and replace missing ones, ensuring that the prosthetics blend seamlessly with the patient’s natural teeth.
• Chewing Efficiency and Muscle Activity: Prosthodontists also focus on improving the functional aspects of dental prosthetics. For example, the use of flexible acrylic resin liners in dentures has been shown to enhance chewing efficiency and increase the electromyography activity of masticatory muscles, leading to better overall function2.

Importance in Dental Health

Prosthodontists play a crucial role in maintaining and improving dental health. They address complex dental issues that general dentists may not be equipped to handle, providing specialized care that can significantly enhance a patient’s quality of life. Their expertise in both the functional and aesthetic aspects of dental restoration ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.