Are you struggling with self-confidence, speech, or chewing your food due to problems with your natural teeth? Whether you have missing or damaged teeth, restoring your smile will involve some level of prosthodontist treatment. Prosthodontic care is an area of dentistry that is focused on restoring someone's natural teeth with treatments that involve prosthetic installations. These dentists have extra levels of training and education that go beyond standard dental treatments. If you are looking to seek a prosthodontist for smile restoration, there may be a few questions you have along the way.

What kind of treatments can a prosthodontic provide?

Prosthodontists offer a range of options for patients that need their natural teeth restored. A few examples of treatments one of these specializing dentists may recommend include: 

• Dentures or partial dentures 
• Dental implants or implant-supported dentures 
• Dental crowns and bridges 
• Dental inlays 

Depending on your situation, you may be a good candidate for more than one type of procedure. For example, a patient with multiple damaged teeth may be a good candidate for both dental crowns and inlays or a fixed bridge. 

What are the advantages of working with a prosthodontist for care?

If you want to restore your teeth in the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing way possible, prosthodontist care is important. These professionals go through additional training to learn about the many different procedures involved in smile and tooth restoration. While standard dentists can offer general care for things like simple cavities or gum disease, a prosthodontist can evaluate damaged teeth and make professional recommendations about getting those teeth back in functional condition. 

How much recovery time is involved after prosthodontist care?

Recovery is generally reliant on the type of procedure performed. Some procedures are considered surgical, which will require longer recovery periods. Dental implants, for instance, are placed by making an incision in the gums and inserting the implant into a supportive structural point in the jaw bone. Therefore, this is considered surgical and may take several weeks to recover. By contrast, something like a dental crown is usually performed right in the office and does not involve a recovery period. 

Why should you seek prosthodontic treatment?

Retaining natural teeth as long as possible is a common goal among all dental practitioners. However, if teeth are substantially damaged, they do not offer the same level of function. If you have missing or damaged teeth, you may not be chewing your food properly and can be hesitant to share your smile or speak. A prosthodontist can help you obtain tooth functionality and a smile you can feel good about sharing. 

To learn more about prosthodontist treatments, reach out to a service provider near you.