FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PROSTHODONTICS
"Prosthodontics", a special word for a special
branch of dentistry. Skilled hands and sure eyes to
help make teeth, mouths, faces right again ... and make
you feel good about yourself again. Talented dentists
dedicated to restoring oral and facial health and beauty.
A special profession filling a special health need in
our modern times.
Do you ever wonder what a Prosthodontist is, or what kind
of dentistry he or she practices? If so, you're not
alone. Even though millions of people have bridges or
dentures, or have their teeth capped, they never think
it's all called "prosthodontics". And that's not surprising
because it's the kind of service we all expect from
dentistry. The difference is however that some dentists
specialize in this treatment, and that's what this is
all about. We hope that our answers to these most commonly
asked questions will help you understand better what
prosthodontics can do for you.
What
is prosthodontics?
How
does prosthodontics do this?
How
is this done?
How
does a dentist become a Prosthodontist?
Do
some Prosthodontists receive special certification?
What's so different about a Prosthodontist compared to a "regular" dentist?
Who
might send you to a Prosthodontist?
What
can a Prosthodontist do for you?
What
are the most common prosthodontics procedures?
What is prosthodontics?
It's a special branch of dentistry that concentrates
all its skills and science on helping make your mouth,
teeth, and face work right, feel right, look right,
and stay right.
How does prosthodontics do this?
By restoring your natural teeth and replacing
missing teeth or tissue (in and around the mouth and
face) with artificial, lifelike substitutes.
How
is this done?
Three basic ways:
- By non-removable replacements such as crowns or bridges
- By removable replacements such as dentures.
- By restoring mouth, facial, or ear structures that were
made defective by disease, injury, surgery, or by
birth defects such as cleft palates.
How does a dentist become a Prosthodontist?
After completing dental school, a dentist
such as Dr. Hong must take at least two to three more
years of advanced study and clinical training in a prosthodontic
program fully approved by the American Dental Association.
Only after successful completion of such programs can
dentists be recognized as a "Prosthodontist".
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Do
some Prosthodontists receive special certification?
Yes. The American Board of Prosthodontics
certifies qualified Prosthodontists who meet its standards
and pass its examinations. These Prosthodontists are
then certified as "Diplomats" of the American Board
of Prosthodontics. Dr. Sung Hong is a Diplomat of the
American Board of Prosthodontics.
What's
so different about a Prosthodontist compared to a "regular"
dentist?
All dentists have the same basic goal: to
help you take care of your teeth, mouth, and other aspects
of your oral health. So most general dentists do a lot
of prosthodontic service: they cap teeth, make bridges,
and do some reconstructive work. There is a difference
in emphasis, however. Because the Prosthodontist concentrates
on one area of dentistry, he or she can usually handle
more complex problems more easily or more efficiently
than the general dentist. It's the same with other specialty
areas of dentistry. Oral surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists,
periodontists, and Prosthodontists ... all make up the
skilled specialty complex of dentistry.
Who
might send you to a Prosthodontist?
- Your family dentist - for assistance in handling special
or complex restorations or reconstructions.
- Your family physician - for help in managing birth
defect problems such as cleft palates.
- Medical and dental specialists - for prosthodontic services
required in the management of difficult oral and facial
problems.
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What
can a Prosthodontist do for you?
Your Prosthodontist has one aim: to help
you return as close to normal, healthy function and
appearance as possible. Your Prosthodontist will work
with you, and seek your cooperation in achieving that
aim.
What
are the most common prosthodontic procedures?
- Single Crowns - creating non-removable jackets or caps
of metal, porcelain or plastic, covering teeth to
protect them and restore normal function and appearance.
- Fixed bridges - creating non-removable restorations
to replace missing teeth.
- Partial dentures - creating removable replacements for
partial tooth loss.
- Complete
dentures - creating full, removable replacements
for total tooth loss.
- Overdenture service - creating removable replacements utilizing
the roots of some teeth or a dental implant for support.
- Implant-supported Fixed Crown and Bridge or Removable Dentures -
creating non-removable restorations and/or removable
dentures supported by permanent dental implants.
- Reconstruction and Maxillofacial Services - rebuilding the teeth,
jaw, palate, or other facial structures, to correct
complex problems including TMJ dysfunction, and to
evaluate the need for implant dentistry. This may
require the services of several doctors.
Serving San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Altos & Campbell
Dental Implants, Dentures & Prosthedontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, CEREC One Visit, Crowns & Bridges
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