What Does a Prosthodontist Do?

A prosthodontist is often described as the “architect” of a dental treatment plan. For patients missing one, several, or all of their teeth, a prosthodontist provides a level of specialized care that goes far beyond general dentistry.

They are experts in:

• Comprehensive Treatment Planning: Coordinating with oral surgeons or periodontists to ensure the foundation of the mouth is ready for a replacement.
• Dental Implants: Designing the crown, bridge, or overdenture that sits atop an implant post to ensure a perfect bite.
• Full-Mouth Reconstruction: Rebuilding an entire arch of teeth for patients who have suffered from trauma, congenital defects, or advanced decay.

By understanding the biomechanics of how teeth interact, a prosthodontist ensures that missing teeth are replaced in a way that prevents the remaining teeth from shifting or wearing down prematurely.

Many patients seek out a prosthodontist not because they are missing teeth, but because their existing teeth are severely worn, cracked, or eroded. This is common in patients with chronic acid reflux, “bulimia,” or severe teeth grinding (bruxism).

To restore these teeth, a prosthodontist utilizes:

• Veneers and Bonding: Using thin layers of porcelain or composite resin to reshape and strengthen the tooth surface.
• Inlays and Onlays: Creating custom-fitted “puzzles pieces” made of gold or ceramic to repair the chewing surface of a molar without needing a full crown.
• Full-Coverage Crowns: Encasing a damaged tooth in high-strength ceramic to restore its original size, shape, and strength.

Because they have advanced training in “occlusion” (how the teeth fit together), a prosthodontist ensures that these restorations don’t just look pretty, but actually improve the patient’s ability to chew and speak comfortably.

Deciding between various tooth-replacement options is a complex choice based on bone health, budget, and lifestyle. A prosthodontist helps guide this decision:

• Dental Implants: Best for patients with adequate bone density who want a permanent, standalone solution that doesn’t involve altering adjacent healthy teeth.
• Dental Bridges: Ideal when the teeth on either side of a gap already need crowns or when bone density is too low for an implant.
• Dentures (Removable): Often recommended when many teeth are missing and a cost-effective solution is needed, or when the patient’s oral anatomy cannot support the surgery required for implants.

At Encino Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Alireza Moshaverinia evaluates the long-term prognosis of your oral health to recommend the option that provides the most stability and comfort for your specific anatomy.

The creation of a dental prosthetic is a blend of high-tech digital science and fine artistry. The process typically involves:

• Digital Impressions: Using intraoral scanners to create a highly accurate 3D model of the mouth, replacing the messy “goop” of traditional impressions.
• Shade Matching: Using advanced light-metering tools to ensure the color of the prosthetic matches the subtle translucency and gradients of the patient’s natural teeth.
• CAD/CAM Technology: Utilizing Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing to mill restorations out of solid blocks of ceramic or zirconia for maximum durability.
• Trial Fittings: Carefully adjusting the “wax-up” or temporary version of the prosthetic to ensure the patient’s speech and bite are perfect before the final version is fabricated.

Choosing a specialist for your dental work means choosing peace of mind. At Encino Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Alireza Moshaverinia, DDS, MS, PhD, FACP, represents the highest level of achievement in the field. As a board-certified prosthodontist and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, his expertise is backed by years of advanced clinical residency and innovative research. He is widely recognized for his “biomimetic” approach, which focuses on mimicking the natural properties of teeth to ensure that your dental prosthetics are indistinguishable from the real thing. Whether you need a single crown or a complex full-mouth rehabilitation, his commitment to precision ensures a transformative result.

If you are dealing with complex dental issues or are ready to permanently restore your smile, visit Encino Advanced Dentistry for a consultation with our board-certified prosthodontist and experience the difference that specialist-led care can make. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 5363 Balboa Blvd, #434 Encino, CA 91316. We serve patients from Encino CA, Tarzana CA, Van Nuys CA, Sherman Oaks CA, Calabasas CA, and surrounding areas.