It's that time of year again—time to make your New Year's Resolutions! You may already have in mind some resolutions you'd like to make. Perhaps you want to exercise more or get more organized. Maybe you want to read more books or learn a new hobby.
Teeth have a very hard job. They are tearing into and chewing food all day long and when they're not being used to eat, there may be grinding and clenching during times of stress or sleep. Over time, teeth can become chipped, cracked, or stained.
Cosmetic dentistry is an aspect of prosthodontics that deals with the aesthetics and appearance of the teeth—and finding good prosthodontic care that specializes in the field can be tricky. Fortunately, this is just one of the services Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics offers.
The answer? Not a lot of people know. Probably not even you—which explains why you're here. And that's okay. Most people go their whole lives without coming in contact with a Prosthodontist. Even amongst those that do come in contact with them and do have some idea of what they are, eighty percent probably categorize a prosthodontist as "a type of dentist or something."
We’ve all had that story about the first time we saw our grandparents take their teeth out as a kid. Back then, our experience would have been more like a horror story, seeing grandpa or grandma’s gums where their natural teeth were supposed to be and realizing that the big, beautiful smile on their face, whenever they saw, was “not real.”
A prosthodontist is a dentist who receives an additional three years of specialized training in complex dental matters, dental restoration, and aesthetic treatment planning. Since the primary purpose of a prosthodontist is to help rebuild your smile, they are often called oral architects.
Of all the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), dentists who work in the field of prosthodontics or prosthodontists are said to offer the most advanced form of sequencing treatment, restorative treatment, and maintenance.
Here at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, our dedicated dental team will always do everything we can to ensure people feel comfortable and cared for during dental visits. However, we understand that not everyone feels relaxed when visiting the prosthodontist, even people who care for their teeth. For some, these dental anxieties can seem overwhelming, making even routine dental checkups an unbearable prospect.
Losing teeth is upsetting, but unfortunately, it’s a situation that will be faced by many of us. If you do lose teeth, it’s crucial to replace them as soon as possible, even if it is just a single tooth.
If you have a cavity or pain somewhere in your mouth, you'll want to visit your dentist. If you've had an injury in or near your mouth that has damaged your jaw or your teeth, you may need to visit a prosthodontist, otherwise known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. You may wonder what the difference is between a dentist and a prosthodontist.
