(Newswire.net — March 24, 2015) Chicago, ILLINOIS — Prosthodontics is one of only nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, yet many people don’t know what a prosthodontist does. The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is shedding light on these highly skilled dental specialists who help patients achieve their ideal smile and optimal oral health as part of National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW), April 12-18, 2015.
“If you had a heart problem you’d go to a cardiologist, not your general practitioner. It’s the same thing as going to a prosthodontist. I needed specialized care, and I wouldn’t have trusted this care with anyone other than a prosthodontist,” said patient Diana Kimbro of Newport Beach, Calif.
A prosthodontist has three-to-four years of advanced residency training in solving oral health issues at an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited institution to learn surgical skills necessary to place dental implants, use up-to-the-minute digital technologies to diagnose, replace and restore missing teeth with exquisite, stronger naturally beautiful implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, or dentures as well as treating oral health issues.
“We are not your everyday dentists. Prosthodontists are smile specialists who are committed to improving patient outcomes and solving oral health issues using cosmetic dentistry procedures or advanced dentistry techniques to save a natural tooth, replace several missing teeth, or restore broken, chipped or cracked teeth in one appointment,” ACP President Dr. Frank J. Tuminelli said.
Adds maxillofacial prosthodontist and chair of ACP’s National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW) Dr. Avinash Bidra, “From restoring smiles damaged by bulimia, restoring full jaws and teeth using advanced digital technology and implants, or helping head and neck cancer patients be able to eat, speak and smile long after the battle with cancer has been won.”
Prosthodontists help improve patients’ oral health, provide options for replacing missing or fixing damaged teeth, and ensure that replacements look natural and function correctly. Patients might also seek a prosthodontist to restore teeth affected by disease or eating disorders such as bulimia or damage due to methamphetamine use.
This year, the ACP successfully got “prosthodontist” added to spell check as another step toward raising awareness of the specialty.
Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry and CAD/CAM solutions.
The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in prosthodontics.
About National Prosthodontics Awareness Week
During NPAW, prosthodontists nationwide will be hosting free events including oral health screenings, lectures, community service outreach and other activities to raise the public’s awareness about the importance of a healthy mouth and the benefits of seeing a prosthodontist.
As a way of giving back to the oral health community to celebrate National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW), the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is offering FREE access to selected scientific research published in ACP’s peer-reviewed Journal of Prosthodontics now through April 30. Free access to research helps dental professionals improve patient outcomes.
About ACP
The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the official sponsoring organization for the specialty of Prosthodontics, which is one of only nine recognized specialties of the American Dental Association. ACP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing patient care, advancing the art and science of Prosthodontics, promoting the specialty of Prosthodontics to the public and other dentists and healthcare professionals, ensuring the quality of Prosthodontic education and providing professional services to its membership.