How Prosthodontists Solve Complex Dental Problems Other Dentists Refer Out

You probably know what a dentist is. You might even know what an endodontist is. But what about a prosthodontist? No, it’s not a foot doctor (that’s a podiatrist). And no, it’s not a dentist that specializes in gum disease (that’s a periodontist). 

A prosthodontist is a dental professional who has taken things to the next level by completing advanced training focused on dental restorations. This means that their primary focus is fixing complex dental problems such as replacing missing or damaged teeth with artificial devices like crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants.

While general dentists can help with everyday dental needs, there are benefits to working with a professional with the additional training needed for advanced restorative dentistry. In this article, we’ll explain what prosthodontists do and when you might want to visit one.

What is a prosthodontist?

Prosthodontics is one of the recognized specialties within dentistry. After dental school, prosthodontists complete at least three additional years of specialized education. This training covers the planning and management of more complicated restorative cases.

For example, a patient who has lost several teeth may need more than simply filling those spaces. A prosthodontist considers how the replacement teeth will affect the patient’s bite, chewing ability, speech, and remaining teeth. They also work with patients whose teeth have been badly damaged by injury, severe wear, or previous dental problems and need extensive reconstruction.

Why Some Complex Dental Problems Require a Dental Specialist

As we implied, general dentists can do a lot of things, and they do those things very well. They help provide preventive dentistry to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong throughout your lifetime. And, in most cases, your regular dentist can provide a filling or a dental crown to treat cavities, chips, and cracks. But sometimes, dental issues require a bit more care, and in these cases, dentists prefer to refer your case to someone who specializes in prosthodontics and restorative dental care.

Here are some examples of when you might want to see a prosthodontist. 

Multiple Missing Teeth 

Though your teeth are designed to last throughout your lifetime, sometimes things happen. Dental trauma or severe tooth decay can result in tooth loss. In fact, although the number might not seem that big, about 2% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have no remaining natural teeth. And while dentures are a completely acceptable solution, many patients want something more permanent.

In these cases, a prosthodontist can help with full mouth treatment planning, including implant-supported solutions.

Severe Tooth Wear 

Your teeth put in a lot of work every day. But if you regularly grind or clench them, they can wear down much faster than they should. Over time, teeth may become shorter, flatter, chipped, cracked, or sensitive. Severe wear can also change how your upper and lower teeth come together, making it harder to chew comfortably.

A prosthodontist can look at your entire bite to determine what is causing the damage and how much tooth structure has been lost. Treatment may include rebuilding damaged teeth with crowns or other restorations to improve your bite and chewing ability. A custom bite guard may also be recommended to reduce the effects of nighttime grinding and help protect restored and natural teeth from further wear.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Sometimes, the problem isn’t one missing tooth, or a few worn teeth. A patient may come to us with several concerns happening at once. They might have badly damaged teeth, old restorations that need replacement, bite problems, decay, and teeth that can no longer be saved.

Full mouth rehabilitation brings these needs together into one comprehensive treatment plan. In some cases, that plan may include extracting teeth that are too damaged to repair. Other teeth may be restored with crowns, while missing teeth may be replaced with bridges, dental implants, or other solutions.

A prosthodontist looks at how each treatment affects the others. This allows us to plan the sequence of care around the patient’s bite, chewing ability, oral health, and individual needs.

Complex Implant Cases

We want to be clear here that some general dentists do offer dental implant surgery. But many prefer to refer these cases, especially those that are more complex, out to a prosthodontic specialist. In particular, you might benefit from seeing a prosthodontist if you are experiencing bone loss or have challenging jaw anatomy. 

For example, a patient who has been missing a back tooth for several years may have lost bone in that area. A prosthodontist can evaluate the available bone, nearby teeth, bite, and implant location before creating a treatment plan.

Failed Dental Work

We want to be cautious about using the word failed. The reality is that not all dental work is designed to last forever. Fillings typically last somewhere between 10 and 20 years. Dental crowns, on average, last between 5 and 15 years. Even a dental bridge won’t likely last more than 5 to 15 years. 

Over time, everyday chewing, teeth grinding, decay, gum changes, or normal wear can affect existing dental work. A filling might crack, a crown may become loose, or decay can develop around or underneath an older restoration.

When that happens, simply replacing the restoration may not always be enough. A prosthodontist can evaluate the tooth, gums, bite, and surrounding structures to understand what has changed. From there, treatment can address underlying problems and rebuild a healthier foundation before a new crown, bridge, filling, or other restoration is placed.

The Prosthodontic Difference 

We’re proud to partner with several of the general dentists and endodontists in the Oklahoma City area. So, when your smile needs advanced technology and diagnostics, chances are you will be referred to our practice for restorative and prosthodontic dentistry. Not only do we specialize in dental implants and dentures in Oklahoma City, but we also offer customized treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs, not anyone else’s. 

The main point we want to land here is that some dental concerns require more than routine care. We have the training to take on those complex restorative challenges. So, if you have restorative dental concerns, we encourage you to reach out. We offer free implant consultations in Oklahoma City, and we are happy to partner with you on a treatment plan for extensive damage, missing teeth, or any other ongoing dental concerns that you have.

Request your consultation today.