Two dental specialties, periodontics and prosthodontics, may sound similar but are quite different. Periodontists care for the tissues surrounding teeth, while prosthodontists make and adjust dentures, bridges, and similar appliances for people with missing teeth. A periodontist is a specialist who treats damaged gums, receding gums, or who can place dental implants. A prosthodontist provides patients with things like dentures and replaces missing teeth or parts of the mouth that have been damaged.
After graduating from an accredited dental school, those who are interested in specializing as a prosthodontist must complete a residency and obtain a license in their major. Prosthodontists can work with people who have birth defects or injuries that have affected their ability to communicate, so they must be compassionate and have strong communication skills. The goals of a prosthodontist's treatment focus on functionality, aesthetics, oral health and comfort. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the soft tissues of the mouth and the underlying jaw that supports the teeth.
To qualify as a periodontist, a dentist must first graduate from an accredited dental school before undertaking an additional three years of study within a periodontics residency training program. Prosthodontists are THE recognized experts when it comes to replacing anything in the mouth. They take a full-mouth approach and undergo intensive training beyond general dentistry to focus on some of the most advanced procedures in dentistry. Prosthodontists commonly perform procedures such as placing and restoring dental implants, applying dental crowns, creating dental bridges, and creating other dental prostheses such as partial complete dentures & for full mouth rehabilitation.
If you want to have whiter, more symmetrical teeth, you can visit a prosthodontist for a teeth whitening session or a tooth remodeling procedure. While most dentists offer these services, prosthodontists are specially trained to provide superior care when it comes to restoring and replacing teeth. It is best for you to visit an office that has both types of specialists on staff - periodontists and prosthodontists - so that you can get the best care possible for your oral health needs. Prosthodontists are well versed in cosmetic and restorative dental procedures and are dedicated to providing superior care when it comes to restoring and replacing teeth.
