Prosthodontists specialize in replacing missing parts of teeth, gums, bone or other structural parts of the face. Your General Dentist will usually perform some form of Prosthodontics, but a Prosthodontists will have received at least 3 years of postdoctoral education in one or more of the three phases of prosthodontics. These phases are:
- Fixed Prosthodontics – crowns and bridges that are cemented onto existing teeth or dental implants.
- Removable Prosthodontics – partial or complete dentures that can be easily removed when required.
- Maxillofacial Prosthetics – an area of dentistry that is not widely known, involving replacing facial features such as eyes and noses with artificial parts known as prostheses.
Most General Dentists will offer fixed and removable prosthodontics services, but maxillofacial prosthetics are usually only performed by Prosthodontics due to their highly complex, sophisticated and specialist nature.