Northampton, MA – National Prosthodontics Awareness Week will be celebrated April 6-12 this year. Join EMA Dental in celebrating the important role these specialists play on the dental team. NPAW focuses on raising public awareness about the critical importance of a healthy mouth.
So what exactly is a prosthodontist?
“Prosthodontists are dentists who specialize in the restoration and replacement of teeth,” says Dr. Vincent J. Mariano. “Prosthodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized but the American Dental Association, and requires two to three years of additional training after dental school to achieve. We focus on restoring both appearance and function to our patient’s smiles.”
After graduating from dental school, prosthodontists must earn their additional training through a hospital or university based program that is accredited by the ADA. During this training, they will treat patients, work in a lab to fabricate restorations, as well as review literature and attend lectures. During these years of training, the prosthodontist is molded into an architect who will rebuild the mouth to ensure the best function, as well as appearance.
Some people may think of a prosthodontist as simply a cosmetic dentist, but it goes much beyond that, explains Dr. Mariano, who is a Northampton, MA dentist.
“We are well-trained in esthetics to provide the best look to our patients’ smiles,” says Dr. Mariano. “But our training goes well beyond that to ensure that every patient we see not only leaves with a prettier smile, but a better functioning one, as well. While we provide implants, crowns, inlays, bridges, veneers and dentures, we also help patients who suffer from TMJ disorders, congenital mouth and teeth issues and sleep disorders. We can provide assistance after a patient has suffered a traumatic mouth injury and provide reconstruction after oral cancer. We specialize in complete oral rehabilitation and are dedicated to the highest standards of care.”
Prosthodontists know that increasing awareness about oral health is becoming increasingly important, as close to 178 million people in the United States are currently missing at least one tooth. And sometimes maintaining regular maintenance check-ups with your general dentist just isn’t enough. The purpose of NPAW is to focus on facts that can help patients achieve the best in oral care, so during this week, prosthodontists throughout the country will focus on education, such as proper denture care and the importance of oral cancer screenings.
“There are many reasons tooth loss occurs,” says Dr. Mariano. “From decay and gum disease to injury and cancer, it’s my job to determine the best solution for those missing teeth. Working together with other dental care professionals, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan that will address all of a patient’s needs, giving them the most beautiful smile that will function as naturally as possible.”
If you are missing one or more teeth, now is the time to visit a prosthodontist. With extensive training and experience, your prosthodontist has the specialized knowledge to understand the dynamics and preservation techniques needed to create and maintain a healthy mouth. Call today for a consultation and regain the beauty and proper function you’ve lost.
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