This article is sponsored by Northwestern Dental Center, Chicago's finest oral-health care practice. Learn more about Northwestern Dental Center at Northwesterndental.com.
If you're constantly covering your mouth when you talk or laugh due to broken, misshaped or discolored teeth, you shouldn't just be consulting your general practice dentist about enhancing your smile. Instead, you'll want to call a Prosthodontist.
A Prostho-what-ist?
Prosthodontists are experts in the restoration and replacement of teeth. In other words, they make smiles look beautiful and teeth function properly. After completing four years of dental school, Prosthodontists receive an extra three years of specialized training in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry at an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited graduate program. General practice dentists, on the other hand, often perform cosmetic or reconstructive dental work after completing a weekend course on a procedure.
That's less than reassuring. Thankfully, a Prosthodontist is more than qualified to handle your cosmetic dentistry needs, so let's take a closer look at some of the procedures they offer to improve your smile.
- Placing complete ceramic esthetic crowns or “caps” onto teeth
- Placing veneers onto teeth to hide defects
- Using bonding technology to a tooth’s surface to change its shape or close unwanted gaps
- Bleaching discolored teeth to brighten and whiten a smile
But a Prosthodontist's skill set isn't limited to cosmetic procedures. With their extra training and in-depth knowledge of reconstructive dentistry, Prosthodontists lead teams of specialists and other health professionals to develop solutions to your routine or complex dental needs. Some of the state-of-the-art dental procedures and techniques offered by a Prosthodontist are as follows:
- Dental Implants
- Complete and removable partial dentures
- Replacing lost teeth
- Special needs of geriatric patients
- TMD (TMJ) – jaw joint problems
- Traumatic injuries
- Snoring and sleep disorders
- Maxillofacial prosthetic procedures such as oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care
Rather than put your smile or other dental needs--literally--in the hands of someone with a two-day degree, it pays to consult an expert. If you're feeling self-conscious about your smile, contact a Prosthodontist at Northwestern Dental Center.
