What Does it Take to Be a Prosthodontist?

Prosthodontist Definition Construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.

What Do Prosthodontists Do On a Daily Basis?

• Use bonding technology on the surface of the teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps.
• Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
• Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
• Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
• Measure and take impressions of patients’ jaws and teeth to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses, using face bows, dental articulators, recording devices, and other materials.
• Restore function and aesthetics to traumatic injury victims, or to individuals with diseases or birth defects.

What a Prosthodontist Should Know

Prosthodontists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Types of Prosthodontist

• Removable Prosthodontist
• Oral Maxillofacial Prosthodontist
• Prosthodontist/Restorative/Reconstructive Dentist
• Doctor of Dental Science, Prosthodontist
• Prosthodontist

Is There Going to be Demand for Prosthodontists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 900 jobs in the United States for Prosthodontist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 22.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Prosthodontist by 2026.

The states with the most job growth for Prosthodontist are Oregon, Indiana, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Indiana, or Oregon. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Prosthodontist Salary

The typical yearly salary for Prosthodontists is somewhere between $103,240 and $208,000.

Prosthodontists who work in Florida or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Prosthodontists make in each U.S. state?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Florida	$217,410
Virginia	$190,340

What Tools do Prosthodontists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Prosthodontists:

• Henry Schein Dentrix
• Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
• Henry Schein DentalVision Professional
• Henry Schein Easy Dental
• Kodak Dental Systems Kodak PRACTICEWORKS Practice management software PMS

How do I Become a Prosthodontist?

What kind of Prosthodontist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Prosthodontists?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Amy Perry via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.