The Definitions of Prosthodontics

The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes nine areas of study in which dentists can focus their studies; prosthodontics is one of these. Prosthodontics is also a dental specialty acknowledged by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. This specialized area of dentistry is widely recognized across the world as an important branch of dentistry.

No matter how highly regarded this area of dental specialization is, though, the fact remains--most people have never even heard of prosthodontics. Ask any ten random people what for the definition of prosthodontics and chances are at least eight of those people will have no idea how to respond. However, it is probable that many of those eight people have either under gone a prosthodontic procedure or that they know someone else who has. Prosthodontics is not an odd or uncommonly used dental specialty.

It is no wonder that people are confused about prosthodontics, though. The definitions of prosthodontics are not very clear. Here is one basic prosthodontics definition: “Prosthodontics is the dental specialty of reconstructive dentistry.” That definition doesn’t really explain very much about what, exactly, prosthodontics involves, however. A layperson could easily read that definition and still be completely unaware of what a prosthodontic dentist does.

Another basic prosthodontics definition states that, “Prosthodontics restores optimal functioning and look to your smile.” That definition is quite vague as well—it says absolutely nothing specific about prosthodontics.

So, here we will delve into the prosthodontics definition a bit further and try to explain this very common branch of dentistry.

Let’s define what is meant by ‘reconstructive dentistry.’ Simply put, this means the use of dental implants, bridgework, dentures, and crowns in order to ‘restore’ or re-establish a patient’s oral functioning. It also refers to how these items are used to ‘restore’ or rebuild a patient’s smile.

Therefore, a better prosthodontics definition would be one that says that, “Prosthodontics is the dental specialty of restoring a patient’s oral functioning and rebuilding a patient’s smile through the use of dental implants, bridgework, dentures, and crowns.” That is much more clear and understandable.

Because prosthodontics involves fixing up a person’s smile, this branch of dentistry includes cosmetic dentistry. Prosthodontic dentists work hard to give each patient the look he wants from his teeth and mouth. However, this doesn’t mean that every cosmetic dentist is a prosthodontic dentist. Prosthodontists have attended an additional three years of schooling after earning their dental degrees and licenses to practice dentistry. In contrast, any dentist can practice some cosmetic dentistry techniques—many dentists simply attend seminars and weekend/weeklong classes for training. Prosthodontic dentists are often regarded as having more skill at developing a plan of action for rebuilding a patient’s smile.

After learning the definition of prosthodontics, pretty much anyone would agree that they know someone who has undergone a prosthodontic procedure—possibly even they, themselves, have gotten an implant or crown or have received some type of cosmetic procedure.

Prosthodontics is one of the most commonly used sub-specialties in dentistry today—even if people are unaware of the name of the specialty.