Think about the reasons why you go to your dentist. Usually it’s for a checkup and a cleaning or to get a cavity filled. However, have you ever thought about who you would go see if you had severely damaged your teeth? If your dentist is also a prosthodontist, they can take care of many dental issues a general practice dentist cannot.
A prosthodontist is a dentist that has had additional training that general dentists have not received and that is why they can do more than just clean teeth and fill cavities. Prosthodontists can fix broken teeth due to an accident and can work on replacing any missing teeth that people may have. These people specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the oral function and look to help their patients achieve the comfort and appearance that they want.
The types of people who usually benefit having a prosthodontist as a dentist are people who have a missing single front tooth, multiple teeth missing, cannot wear a full denture, dissatisfied with their oral appearance, and/or need multiple crowns or implants. These people really do need a prosthodontist because they are the only ones that could help patients with these types of problems. However, you do not need to have any of these pre-existing problems to have a prosthodontist as your dentist for regular cleanings.
Sometimes patients just have certain conditions that need the help of a prosthodontist more than others. However, there are some events where some people who have not needed a prosthodontist in the past may need one now. People who have suffered a traumatic incident such as a car accident, sporting accident, or a fall may now need a prosthodontist because they have caused some severe damage to their teeth. If these people have a dentist who is not a prosthodontist, then they may have to go and search for one. In the long run, this could eventually cost the person a lot of money.
Having a dentist and a prosthodontist can end up costing you a lot of money because you have to make two dentist appointments and it can get overwhelming. However, if you have a prosthodontist as your primary dentist, then you will only have to make one appointment and will be able to get the teeth cleaning and a check up all in the same visit. This is a very large benefit because of how much it costs to fix teeth and how important it is to see your dentist at least two times a year. If you want to save money, it would be very beneficial if you were to find a dentist that is also a prosthodontist who can help you with problems that you may have with your teeth in the future.
