About Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. A prosthodontist is a dentist who has an additional two to three years of training in advanced dental restorations.

What is Prosthodontics?

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has an additional two to three years of training in advanced dental restorations. During that time, the resident becomes proficient in the arts of aesthetic dentistry, dental implants, extensive crown & bridge work, full mouth rehabilitations, partials, and dentures. Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Visit the website: www.prosthodontics.org for more information.

What is maxillofacial prosthodontics?

Maxillofacial prosthodontics is a sub-specialty of Prosthodontics. This specialty involves patients who have very special dental needs that usually encompass a medical condition, such as patients who have experienced cancer treatments, severe trauma, or congenital defects. Maxillofacial prosthodontists work closely with surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, anaplastologists, radiation oncologists, dental specialists, and general dentists to help maintain oral health and function for these patients with special needs.

What is a Dental Implant?

The most common type of dental implant is a root form dental implant. In most situations today, the implants used are made of a titanium alloy. When you look at it, it appears to be a small screw. This screw is then placed within the bone in a minor surgery. After the appropriate healing time (depending on the surgery), the implant can be restored with either crowns, or a removable appliance (denture or partial).

The Need for Prosthodontics

BIRTH DEFECTS

Craniofacial deformities such as cleft lip, cleft palate, are managed by specialized teams of doctors and support personnel. The role of the maxillofacial prosthodontist is critically important in supporting the surgical care in such patients when closures of the openings between the nasal and oral cavities are achieved, or providing supporting structures for swallowing, chewing, and speech.

TRAUMA

Injuries resulting from motor vehicle, industrial and residential accidents, and gunshot wounds from assaults and/or suicide attempts account for a high incidence of residual orofacial defects which can result in disfigurement or compromise of function. These kinds of cases can often be assisted by this Center.

CANCER

There are approximately 50,000 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed each year in the United States. About 700 of these cases occur in North Texas per year. The main objective in the management of malignant disease is cure, but there are important secondary goals to be considered as well. Specifically, an attempt is made to preserve form and function and retain an acceptable quality of life for the patient. This includes the use of dental osseointegrated implants and appropriate dental restorations. In the mouth, the therapeutic strategy centers around retention and restoration of teeth, and restoration of the ability to chew and swallow. Facial disfigurement can be overcome by restoration of the eyes, ears, noses, or other facial structures, occasionally retained by cranial implants.

The Role of the Prosthodontist

Rehabilitation of patients with head and neck disabilities is difficult and requires close interactions among several health science disciplines. The Maxillofacial Prosthodontist is the primary person involved in many facets of patient care, and is therefore the individual who is in the best position to coordinate the efforts required in this complex rehabilitative process. Members of the team often include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, head and neck surgeons, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, periodontists, orthodontists, social workers, speech therapists, and/or occupational therapists, among others.