What is a Prosthodontist? How They Help Restore Your Smile
Key Takeaways
- A prosthodontist specializes in restoring damaged, worn, or missing teeth with treatments such as crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers, and dental implants.
- Smile makeovers combine cosmetic and restorative treatments to improve the appearance, comfort, and function of your smile, tailored to your individual needs.
- Restoring your smile can make it easier to eat, speak, and smile with confidence while supporting your long-term oral health.
Smile restoration, also known as a smile makeover, can improve both the appearance and function of your teeth. Treatment is tailored to your oral health needs and personal goals, so you can feel confident showing off your smile.
For patients considering a smile makeover in Rochester, NY, University of Rochester Medicine's Eastman Institute for Oral Health brings together specialists in cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry—all in one place.
Your care starts with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, what's not working for you, and what you hope to achieve.
What Is a Smile Makeover—and Do You Need One?
Over time, teeth can become yellowed or discolored from coffee, wine, or tea. Smoking can also stain teeth—and if you're ready to quit, we offer programs to help. Teeth may also become worn, damaged, or lost from sports injuries, accidents, everyday wear and tear, or grinding while you sleep.
If something feels uncomfortable, looks different, or no longer works the way it should—or if you feel self-conscious about your smile—a prosthodontist can help you explore your options and find the right treatment.
A smile makeover combines cosmetic and restorative treatments to improve how your teeth look and work. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Veneers—to improve the shape, size, and color of selected teeth
- Crowns—to restore cracked, worn, or damaged teeth
- Bridges—to replace loose or missing teeth
- Dental implants—to replace loose or missing teeth
- Gum care—to improve the appearance and function of gums
- Professional whitening—to brighten stains
- Bonding—to repair minor chips or close small gaps
The treatments included in your smile makeover will depend on the concerns you want to address.
Some patients have several concerns that need to be addressed together. When tooth loss, wear, or damage is extensive, a prosthodontist may recommend full-mouth reconstruction—a combination of treatments that restores the health, function, and appearance of your smile.
How a Prosthodontist Restores Your Smile
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who restores and replaces damaged, worn, or missing teeth. Prosthodontists receive advanced training that allows them to treat patients with highly complex needs.
Your prosthodontist will:
- Evaluate your oral health
- Develop a comprehensive treatment plan
- Coordinate the sequence of care
When treatment involves your gums, supporting bone, dental implants, or oral surgery, your prosthodontist works with periodontists, implant dentists, oral surgeons, and other specialists.
Smile Makeover Treatments at Eastman Institute for Oral Health
At Eastman Institute for Oral Health, we offer digital smile design, personalized treatment planning, and CAD/CAM technology. These advanced tools will help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your care, creating restorations that complement your natural teeth and facial features.
We offer Smile Makeover treatments that:
- Replace missing teeth
- Restore chewing function
- Repair or rebuild damaged teeth
- Improve the appearance of teeth
- Restore supporting tissues
Benefits of Restoring Your Smile
Eat with Greater Comfort and Confidence
Replacing missing teeth and rebuilding damaged teeth creates more stable surfaces for biting and chewing.
Speak More Clearly
Replacing missing teeth or improving a denture's fit restores the tooth position, tongue contact, and airflow needed to produce certain speech sounds.
Protect Teeth and Restore Function
Crowns and other restorations rebuild damaged tooth structure. Bridges, implants, and dentures replace missing teeth and restore oral function.
Support Oral and Overall Well-Being
Oral health and overall health are closely connected. Diabetes, dry mouth, and some medications or cancer treatments can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and tooth loss.
Renew Confidence
Restoring damaged or missing teeth improves the appearance and balance of your smile. If you've experienced extensive tooth loss, treatment may also restore some of the dental and facial support lost along with the teeth and supporting bone.
Ready to Restore Your Smile?
Schedule a consultation with a prosthodontist at URochester Medicine's Eastman Institute for Oral Health. We'll help you explore your options and create a plan that's right for you.
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