Dental Implants Experts

What is a Prosthodontist?

Let’s start with the basics. What is prosthodontics, and what exactly is a prosthodontist? Well, according to the American Dental Association, prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes. In simpler terms, prosthodontists are dental implant experts!

A prosthodontist is an expert in restoring your smile using the best dental technology and products, including:

  • Aesthetic and cosmetic treatments
  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Complete and removable partials and dentures
  • Dental Implants
  • Veneers

Prosthodontists are masters of complete oral rehabilitation and can treat numerous dental conditions, such as:

  • TMD-jaw joint problems
  • Traumatic injuries to the mouth's structures
  • Congenital or birth anomalies to teeth
  • Snoring and sleep disorders
  • Oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care

What Makes a Dentist a Prosthodontist?

In order to become a prosthodontist, a dentist must have a minimum of at least three years of advanced education and training from a CODA accredited prosthodontic graduate program, on top of completing dental school. Due to the immense amounts of schooling and training required to become a prosthodontist, they are not as common as a typical dentist, but once you find one, you know your smile is in the absolute best of hands. What really sets prosthodontists apart from general dentists is their expertise in being able to treat more serious dental and facial problems. They aren’t simply dealing with minor dental health issues or the general appearance of your teeth, but they are able to treat issues that also involve the restoration of missing teeth and entire jaw structures.

What’s the Difference Between a Prosthodontist and an Implantologist?

A common question among dental patients in need of cosmetic dental work is if they should see a prosthodontist or an implantologist, and what exactly is the difference between the two. A simple way to describe the difference between a prosthodontist and an implantologist is that an implantologist is perhaps a step below a prosthodontist. Any dentist can become an implantologist by being certified by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Depending on the continued education and qualifications a dentist has is what determines what level of implantologist they are, being either an Associate Fellow, a Full Fellow, or an AAID Diplomate which is the highest level of implantology.

The reason prosthodontists are a step up from implantologists and are considered the dental implant experts is not only because their training and education is more extensive, but because prosthodontists do not solely focus on dental implants like implantologists. They specialize in all areas of restorative dentistry and are able to treat and handle more complex dental and oral health problems. Seeing a prosthodontist for your cosmetic dental and implant needs ensures your doctor will be able to treat any and all oral health issues that may come up and gives you peace of mind knowing they have such a broad expertise when it comes to fixing your oral health, and giving you back the smile you deserve.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have the highest success rate of all surgical implant procedures – up to 98 per cent – and are considered the most innovative means of replacing teeth because they are unique in stimulating bone growth. Implants can be used as an alternative to bridges and dentures or in conjunction with a dental plate. The varied uses of dental implants and their benefits compared with conventional tooth replacement systems has made them the treatment of choice for many people with missing teeth. Implants can last a lifetime, so it pays to choose your implant dentist wisely. Implants inserted by surgically qualified dentists have a higher success rate than implant procedures carried out by general dentists.

Am I a Good Dental Implant Candidate?

If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth as an adult, you may be considering the surgical procedure of dental implants but are unsure whether implants are right for you. At your Bellevue prosthodontist, Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, we’ll help to steer you toward an informed decision on whether you’re a good dental implant candidate. In fact, most people are good candidates for dental implants, which can replace one tooth, several teeth or all your teeth. Implants can be used to support a single crown, a full set of dentures or a dental bridge.

Good dental implant candidates are in good health and have a fully developed jaw. Ideally, you should also have a sufficient quantity of quality bone in your jaw to anchor the implant. However, if there’s a problem, a bone graft may provide the solution. To be a good candidate for dental implants, you have to commit to a high level of oral hygiene to look after your implanted teeth and surrounding gums. Regular brushing and flossing are imperative, and so are periodic check-ups and professional cleanings.

To determine whether dental implants are right for you, we can carry out a thorough evaluation of your mouth and jaw. This will include a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. A CT scan produces a two-dimensional image, and then we will utilize special technology we have that turns it into a three-dimensional image. This helps us to identify any areas of bone loss and assess your sinuses and location of nerves – critical information ahead of a dental implant.

The Best Bellevue Prosthodontist - Washington State Prosthodontics

At Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, you’ll find the best of the best. As the only board-certified prosthodontists in Bellevue and one of only a handful in the state of Washington, our doctors, Dr. Russell Johnson and Dr. Michael Johnson are highly trained and fully capable of addressing patients’ complex dental needs. The specialists at Washington State Prosthodontics are specialists, not general dentists, and have over 30 years of combined advanced training and experience in the intricacies of prosthodontic dentistry. This makes them uniquely qualified to handle all situations, from the simplest crown creation to the most challenging full-mouth restoration. If you think you could be a good candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation with us today! After all, we are the dental implant experts!