What is a Prosthodontist?
Prosthodontists are dental specialists in the restoration and
replacement of teeth. After completing four years of dental
school, prosthodontists receive three additional years of specialized
training in restorative dentistry, crowns, bridges, dental
implants and dentures in an American Dental Association (ADA)
accredited graduate education program.
Our office coordinates your treatment with other dental specialists
when their services are required. This “team management”
optimizes your treatment resulting in optimal care in both
function and aesthetics.
Prosthodontics is one of onlynine
dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association: Prosthodontics: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. (Adopted April 2003)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral and maxillofacial
surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis,
surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects
involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft
tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. (Adopted October 1990)
Periodontics: Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry
which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases
of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes
and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures
and tissues. (Adopted December 1992)
Dental Public Health: Dental public health is the science
and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting
dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of
dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than
the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of
the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration
of group dental care programs as well as the prevention and control
of dental diseases on a community basis. (Adopted May 1976)
Endodontics: Endodontics is the branch of dentistry
which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of
the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice
encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal
pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases
and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions. (Adopted
December 1983)
Pediatric Dentistry: Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined
specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and
therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence,
including those with special health care needs. (Adopted 1995)
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Orthodontics
and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the
diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion,
as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing
or mature orofacial structures. (Adopted April 2003)
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: Oral pathology is
the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with
the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the
oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the
causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral
pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical,
radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations. (Adopted
May 1991)
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral and maxillofacial
radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology
concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data
produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis
and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and
maxillofacial region. (Adopted April 2001)
DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD - Doctor of Dental Medicine
Indicates the degree awarded upon graduation from dental school to
become a general dentist. There is no difference between the two degrees;
dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities
have the prerogative to determine what degree is awarded. Both degrees
use the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association's
Commission on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three or more years of
undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required
to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept
either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals
to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate
training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist,
periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.