Prosthodontics is one of six dental specialities recognized by the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Dentists in the field of prosthodontics (prosthodontists) offer the most advanced form of sequencing treatment, restorative treatment and maintenance. They also perform an esthetically higher level of implantology and full mouth reconstruction. A dental school graduate (after five and a half years) seeking a career as a prosthodontist, must attend an additional four years full time of schooling in an approved program by the Health Professional Council of South Africa at one of three Universities in South Africa. Prosthodontists provide multi-disciplinary levels of care, including repairing failed treatments that negatively affect the mouth and smile.
Prosthodontists work closely with their patients to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and to help patients understand what improvements are possible. Using state-of-the-art procedures, the prosthodontist is often viewed as the “architect” of a restorative dental treatment plan. Particularly for partially or completely edentulous (toothless) patients, a prosthodontist is typically the key treatment planner.
Although prosthodontic treatment can be expensive, prosthodontists boast proven results and provide the highest esthetic and functional level of reconstructive dentistry.
