What is a Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental professional specializing in repairing or replacing missing teeth to optimal esthetics and function.
What distinguishes a Prosthodontist from other dental providers?
- A prosthodontist will have completed a minimum of 7-11 years University accredited educational program.
- This level of training provides the skills to manage the most complex dental cases.
The Prosthodontist's role as the "oral architect" of the dental team means that they develop treatment plans and synchronise treatment sequences with dental/medical specialists as well as with general dentists in order to provide the most comprehensive care to patients. The clinical expertise of the Prosthodontist consists mainly of two components:
- Diagnosis, treatment planning and prevention
- Dental treatment with a wide repertoire of solutions including fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges, splints/nightguards, implants and cosmetic dentistry
Prosthodontists, in addition to their basic dental education (4 year DMD or DDS degree), have to successfully complete a rigorous advanced 3-4 year postdoctoral educational program in Prosthodontics accredited by the CDA/ADA. This in-depth additional education provides Prosthodontists not only with enhanced knowledge and skills in their specialty but also enables them to interact with researchers as well as with clinical experts in other dental/medical fields. Effective communication with a team of experts provides prosthodontists and their patients with a broad range of coordinated expertise in diagnosis, treatment planning, and solving oral health problems.
Membership in the Association of Prosthodontists of Canada unites all members of our specialty across this diverse land and gives us the synergy needed to continue to move forward, be it in private practice, academia or institutional prosthodontics, and at the regional, national or international level.
As you know, the specialty of prosthodontics is experiencing the clinical encroachment of other professionals and para-professionals in dentistry. Our association is responding vigorously by developing programs to better enhance our visibility and promote our unique abilities to government, the public and the profession.
There are only about 300 Prosthodontists across Canada. Considering the size of our association we have had a tremendous effect on the dental landscape. Please join to complete our voice; by being part of this organization you can have a say in its direction and thus in the direction of our specialty. The world around us is changing, and this fact cannot be ignored.