What Is a Prosthodontist?

 

In order to become a prosthodontist, three additional years of training at an ADA-accredited graduate program after completing regular dental school are required. There are only ten dental specialties that have been recognized by the ADA National Commission on the Recognition of Dental Special Specialties and prosthodontics is one of them. The extended training to specialize in this field focuses on several areas of restorative dentistry including dental implants, crowns, bridges, complete and partial dentures, aesthetics, occlusions, and facial and dental birth development defects.

The ADA give the definition of prosthodontics as “the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance and the health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.” This means that they help people who have missing, damaged or irregular teeth to restore their smile to the look, function and health that they desire, often using dental prosthetics.

Your prosthodontist can help you with restoring missing or damaged teeth, but that is not all they do. They also frequently take leadership of a team of general dentists and specialists to effectively plan and guide your treatment. This is especially important when your dental needs are complex. Our own Dr. Michel Raad is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). With the help of our prosthodontist, you can better understand your options for treatment, whether you need fixed, removable or implant-supported prosthetics, as well as the advantages, disadvantages, prognosis, risks and time involved in that treatment.

If you have any more questions about your prosthodontist in San Ramon, California and Pleasanton, California, give Luxor Dental a call today at 925-922-4633. We will be happy to talk to you and we can schedule an appointment for you with our dentists, Drs. Michel Raad and Zeba Siddiq.