If you ask a prosthodontist what they do the answer you get may be, well, mind-numbingly boring. And not entirely helpful either.

Exhibit A for this is the American Dental Association’s (ADA) definition of Prothodontics.

(Just to warn you… reading this definition may cause severe drowsiness. Though if you can push through it without doing a face plant onto your keyboard, we promise to make it worth your while.)

How the ADA Defines Prosthodontics

With that warning in mind, here’s the definition they came up with…

“Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to 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 using biocompatible substitutes.”

Uggh.

That jumble of words was surely the work of some ADA committee whose members probably waged a lil’ Holy War against one another over the contents of that definition!

But let’s give them the benefit of the doubt here. Let’s assume their task was to come up with a definition of prosthodontics that was meant more for dental professionals than for the general public.

What Does a Prosthodontist Do? (In Plain English)

So let’s help them out. Here’s our stab at translating the ADA’s definition into English so regular folks can actually understand what a prosthodontist does.

A prosthodontist is someone whose job it is to make your smile great again (or maybe better than it’s ever been).

An oversimplification, yes. But that’s really what it boils down to.

If you have missing teeth and/or have problems in the jaw due to a severe injury, disease or aging, a prosthodontist is the most highly trained dental professional out there to help restore your smile.

Among the common cosmetic dentistry procedures a prosthodontist can help with include:

  • Dental implants
  • Veneers
  • Dentures
  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Botox, Restylane and Juvederm

You may be thinking that sounds like a lot of the things most dentists do. And, you’re right. There is definite overlap between what general dentists and prosthodontists do. But there’s a big difference in their training and level of education.

Prosthodontists go through an extra 2-4 years of advanced training after finishing dental school. Because of their advanced education and rigorous training, prosthodontists are generally considered to be THE experts in the restoration and replacement of teeth.

So, if for whatever reason, you’re not happy with how your smile looks, consider getting in touch with a prosthodontist. They are the most highly trained experts around when it comes to restoring your smile to its fullest potential.

To find a prosthodontist in your area, search our listings here.

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