Dr. Denise Acosta and a team member laughing with a young patient in a treatment room at Broadway Dentistry in Fort Wayne, where fillings and crowns are done

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is the specialized field of dentistry concerned with diagnosing, planning and carrying out restorative and cosmetic treatments. Prosthodontists complete three or four more years of training after dental school.

What a prosthodontist does

A prosthodontist is in essence an architect who draws up a comprehensive treatment plan and explains what is possible. Missing or defective teeth can hurt self-esteem, and using the latest technology a prosthodontist can fill those gaps with functional, natural-looking teeth.

Common reasons to see a prosthodontist include:

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Partial or full sets of dentures
Whitening the teeth or improving the smile
Filling gaps left by missing teeth
Interest in dental implants

Prosthodontic treatments

Treatments are designed to be functional, long-lasting and attractive, and can only be done on generally healthy teeth, so problems like gum disease must be controlled first.

Dental implantsTitanium roots placed in the jawbone like natural roots, replacing teeth that look and feel natural.
Dental veneersPorcelain or ceramic veneers bonded to the teeth to fix uneven, stained, chipped or worn teeth.
Dental crownsPorcelain, metal or combination crowns that mimic the natural tooth surface and can last up to a decade or longer.
Dental bridgesConventional and cantilever bridges that support a prosthetic tooth, anchored by healthy natural teeth or dental implants.
Complete denturesFor people with no teeth due to gum disease or trauma; they make chewing and speaking easier.
Partial denturesRemovable or fixed options where many teeth are lost, improving both the smile and chewing.