First Visit

What is a Prosthodontist?

Before your first visit, you might want to have a bit of an understanding of what a prosthodontist is, and what makes them different than a ‘regular’ dentist! 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. (Whew!) And a prosthodontist is a dental specialist whose practice is focused on the restoration of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth with artificial substitutes.

Prosthodontists are experts 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, and veneers. They 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, and oral cancer reconstruction and continuing care.

Dentist vs. Prosthodontist

So what’s the difference between a prosthodontist and your average dentist? 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. Here at Washington State Prosthodontics and Dental Implant Center, we are actually the only board-certified prosthodontists in Bellevue, and one of only a handful in the entire state of Washington!

Do I Need to Bring Anything?

As a general rule of thumb, if you have had x-rays done by your general dentist in the past, it may be helpful to bring them to your appointment or have them sent to our office. Our prosthodontists will take a look at the x-rays before they meet with you and it will help give them a better understanding of what’s going on inside your mouth! We also suggest our patients come with a list of the medications they are currently taking or are prescribed as medications can have a direct impact of the treatment you receive.

Your First Visit

We understand many people have anxiety around going to the dentist, or the doctor in general, but knowing what to expect can help calm your nerves. When you come in for a consultation at Washington State Prosthodontics, you’ll be greeted with a welcoming and friendly smile from our Receptionist and Business Manager Karen. She’s been in the dental field for over 30 years and loves chatting with our patients. She’s known to make you feel at home and helps your trip to the office feel less intimidating.

Before meeting with Dr. Russell Johnson or Dr. Michael Johnson, you will have the pleasure of speaking with one of our dental assistants, Terri and Denise, who assist our doctors throughout all phases of the various procedures they perform. They are both adored by our patients, always making them feel at home and at ease, and have an abundance of knowledge and expertise they bring to the team.

What Happens During the First Visit?

During your initial consultation, you can expect to speak with our team regarding any dental health problems you are experiencing and what treatment may be appropriate. The most common reasons we see new patients looking for the care of a prosthodontist are they are missing a tooth or teeth and are considering dental implants, they need assistance with their dentures or removable partial dentures, or they simply want to improve the look of their smile as a whole.

Though you may come to your consultation knowing exactly what type of treatment you are hoping for, it is important to be evaluated by one of our prosthodontists and a dental assistant as you may not always be a good candidate for the treatment you are looking to receive. To help determine the best route of treatment for you, you will also speak with our doctors about your health history, current health status, and of course your dental health.

Depending on each individual’s unique situation, you may end up getting x-rays or impressions if needed in order to fully examine and understand your dental situation. But by the end of the consultation, everyone can expect to discuss a potential diagnosis and treatment plan for that diagnosis. We take the time to find the root cause of your dental issue so we can solve the actual problem at it’s core, determining the right treatment plan for you to give you long term relief and results. Our team ensures ample time to give explanations to any questions you have regarding your treatment options and plan out what the next steps are. Trust us when we say you will leave the office feeling taken care of, at ease, and excited for the results your treatment will inevitably provide!

The Best Prosthodontist Near You

Washington State Prosthodontics and Implant Center has the only board-certified prosthodontists in Bellevue, and we pride ourselves on being the best of those in our beautiful state. You don’t have to take our word for it, we encourage you to take a look at what some of our wonderful patients are saying about us, like Noel S. for example: “What? You don't believe in Dental Heaven? If not, it’s because you haven't been a patient of Dr. Russell Johnson. Not only is he a highly skilled Prosthodontist but he is also a highly skilled Periodontist. He is the most skilled dentist that I have ever met! And, that is saying a lot since I have 11 years experience working in the dental field. I would also say he is an angel. His chair side demeanor is calm, caring and so supportive. I know this write-up will only make it harder to get an appointment with him but everyone deserves a chance at experiencing Dental Heaven.”

We treat all of our patients with the utmost respect and care, treating them as if they were our family. If you are in need of prosthodontic care, give us a call today, or schedule a consultation. We believe everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of and confident showing off, and we’d love to help you get there!