What is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontic dentist goes beyond the skills of your community general dentist. Having received advanced training that requires three additional years of study after dental school, they specialise in cosmetic dentistry and the repair of natural teeth. If your teeth are damaged or missing, a prosthodontist will know how to replace them with artificial teeth, dental implants, caps or crowns.

You might also need to see a prosthodontic dentist if you are missing parts of your jaw and face - there are specially trained prosthodontists who specialise in working with people who have head and neck deformities. So, there are quite a few reasons why you might visit a prosthodontist. If you’ve had an accident involving your mouth, if you were born with a congenital condition, or if you simply want a better smile, prosthodontists are trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures.

Why do I need to see one?

Denture Implant Fit and Placement

Although your general dentist will be able to do this for you, prosthodontists are specially trained to assess your gums and jawbone in order to identify the correct size and shape of your crowns, bridges and removable or solid dentures.

Jaw, Sleep or Snoring Issues

If you have a sleep or snoring disorder, or if you’re having trouble with the muscles and joints around your jaw, you should see a local prosthodontist. A lot of people suffer from problems that are particularly noticeable when you yawn, chew or sleep. Search for a prosthodontist in your area to help find you the right treatment.

Traumatic Injury Repairs
When an accident involving your mouth happens, getting it fixed quickly is a priority, and a prosthodontist should be able to repair any injuries relating to your mouth, teeth and face.

Oral Cancer Reconstruction

If you have oral cancer, you may be sent to a prosthodontist to perform the surgery in order to remove any cancerous growth, before performing oral cancer reconstruction surgery in order to address any cosmetic concerns you have following the removal.

What should I expect at the appointment?

Prosthodontists are specialists, so you can expect the visit to be a little different to an appointment at your community dentist. You should be prepared to talk about your dental history, and discuss anything that has affected the current condition of your teeth - if you’re in need of dentures or dental implants, there will be additional appointments to look forward to.