WHAT IS PROSTHODONTICS?
Prosthodontics is the most unique and challenging of all dental specialties. There are only nine official specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association: Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics. Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation of clinical situations which are beyond the level of family care. Rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of special patients requires advanced education. These special clinical conditions are associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using artificial replacements. Most dental specialties require two-four years of training after four years of college and four years of dental school. Prosthodontics requires three years of advanced, structured and accredited training
Prosthodontists are the architects of dentistry; specialists who are trained to take an in depth view of a complex problem, sort out the different solutions, and direct the treatment. They have advanced training and experience in complex diagnosis, retreatment, TMJ, sleep apnea, managing the failing dentition, maxillofacial reconstruction of congenital defects (cleft palate) and acquired problems (post cancer surgery and trauma). Prosthodontics involves more formal training in cosmetic dentistry and the design, planning and restoration of dental implants than any other area of dentistry.
WHY CHOOSE A PROSTHODONTIST?
If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, you should consider evaluation by a prosthodontist who has three years of formal specialty training.
-
Do you desire someone to supervise the treatment of your complex problem which requires the attention of multiple doctors?
-
Do you have needs beyond the level of family dentistry?
-
Do you have a desire to be treated at a specialty level?
-
Do you want the best smile possible?
-
Do you need implants?
-
Do you need more than one or two crowns?
-
Do you have bite problems?
-
Do you wear complete or partial dentures?
-
Does your dental treatment keep failing?
-
Do you have TMJ or sleep apnea?
-
Do you have unusual bite problems?
-
Do you have cancer related oral problems?
-
Do you have trauma related or congenital (cleft palate) oral problems?
-
Do you brux (grind your teeth)?
-
Do you have a dry mouth? (More than 400 drugs cause dry mouth and special oral problems.)
-
Do you desire a thorough evaluation by a specialist in diagnosing complex or unusual problems?
-
Do you just want an extremely thorough diagnostic evaluation and discussion with an expert?
WHY CHOOSE OUR PROSTHODONTIC PRACTICE?
Our mission is to treat special people, with special needs in a special way. We strive to:
- Treat your desires with excellence.
- Be an active participant on the dental team with your family dentist.
- Help family dentists help their patients.
- Provide clinical care at a level of excellence.
- Take care of financial arrangements before treatment.
Change your apprehension into comfort. - Work to the highest ethical standards.
Use humor and music to make treatment relaxing and even fun.
We feel that the best treatment is the one you choose, that suits your desires and is based upon accurate professional knowledge. Since 1978, family dentists and specialists from southwest Michigan to Wisconsin have elected to refer their patients who have special needs or special desires to our office for special care. Consistency in care, quality, and longevity are hallmarks of the practice.
