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Prosthodontists: Who we are and what we do

“The world moves in front of them who know where to go and what to do.”

Lino Calvani

I approached this profession and specialty with infinite humbleness, respect, curiosity, and commitment, and this is what still pushes me forward with passion. Prosthodontics is a beautiful, complex, and very demanding specialty in terms of knowledge and commitment. I have been moved to see in the literature how many have dedicated so much of their lives to its development and success. The list of literature that follows (in alphabetical order) is a small but highly representative sample of the significant writings dedicated to the growth and development of prosthodontics. The amazing professionals who have written these articles, papers, and books, and the many others who are not included in this list for reasons of space, have set a standard of passion and professionalism that is difficult to match.

The specialty of prosthodontics was originally recognized in 1948 by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), an independent agency of the American Dental Association (ADA), which is an independent organization recognized by the United States Department of Education.

The ADA defines prosthodontics as: “the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of 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.”

During the three years of training in all United States postgraduate prosthodontics specialty programs, students must become knowledgeable in the comprehensive treatment of clinical cases for missing or deficient teeth and oral and maxillofacial tissue in order to competently find solutions and cures using biocompatible substitutes. The focus is on the following areas:

1. Patient assessment (both medical and dental history).

2. Extraoral and intraoral examination.

3. Radiologic assessment and occlusal analysis.

4. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment.

5. Systemic, infectious, and neoplastic disease screening (education for prevention).

6. Diagnosis.

7. Risk assessment and prognosis.

8. Treatment planning.

9. Comprehensive treatment.

10. Outcomes assessment and delivery.

11. Follow-up and maintenance.

As professionals, we ‘profess’ to believe in who we are and what we do. As the Mission Statement of the American College of Prosthodontics states: “Prosthodontists are specialists in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and oral/facial structures with natural, esthetic, and functional replacements. This includes surgical implant placement, the simple to most complex implant-supported restorations, laboratory and clinical training in esthetics/cosmetics, crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, removable complete and partial dentures, dental implants, TMD-jaw joint issues, traumatic injuries to the mouth’s structures, congenital or birth anomalies and/or teeth, snoring and sleep disorders, as well as oral cancer, prosthetic reconstruction, and continuing care. Prosthodontists are experts in treatment planning.”