You might have heard of a prosthodontist—but what services do they offer, and how can they help you? Our Calgary dentists provide a few facts on what this specialist does and what dental issues they treat.
What is prosthodontics?
Like other parts of our body, our teeth can become badly damaged due to disease or trauma, cavities, teeth grinding, restorations that fail, acid exposure/erosion (from disease or diet), or not enough saliva.
While your general dentist may be able to resolve some issues, if your case is more complex, we may refer you to a prosthodontist for comprehensive treatment and dental surgery.
Prosthodontics is a specialty and branch of dentistry that involves treating complex dental cases, including restoring or replacing damaged or lost teeth with artificial devices such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures. It also involves the treatment of patients with jaw disorders.
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has successfully completed an accredited advanced educational program in prosthodontics and holds a specialty designation from a provincial dental regulatory body. Beyond a general dental degree, they will complete 2-3 additional years of clinical training.
Prosthodontists develop custom treatment plans for complex cases and work with a general dentist or other medical care providers to ensure comprehensive care for their patients. With a prosthodontist's services, your natural teeth are restored, and missing teeth or tissues are replaced with artificial substitutes.
While the dentists at Market Mall Dental Care can complete restorations, we would send specialized cases to a prosthodontist.
Which services does a prosthodontist offer?
A prosthodontist offers a wide range of dental surgery services, such as:
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Fillings
- Cosmetic procedures
- Implants
- Mouth guards
- Veneers
When would we refer you to a prosthodontist?
For patients who have suffered serious damage to their teeth through trauma or as a result of injury or disease, their case may be so advanced that it requires specialized care from a prosthodontist. These specialists are recognized for their knowledge when anything in your mouth needs to be replaced, from one or two teeth to all teeth and gums in the mouth. Prosthodontists often lead teams of general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to create customized solutions to fulfill your dental needs.
You and your dentist may decide you need a prosthodontist because they are trained in specific techniques and procedures that help treat complex oral health conditions. They can help restore your smile's function and appearance.
At Market Mall Dental Care, we assess patients and make evaluations on a case-by-case basis and can tell you whether a prosthodontist would be the best dental professional to perform your procedure.
