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Prosthodontists
Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.
Other titles employers use
DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) · Dental Science Dr (Dental Science Doctor) · Denturist · Maxillofacial Prosthodontist · Prosthetic Dentist · Prosthodontist · Reconstructive Dentist · Removable Prosthodontist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases.
- Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
- Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
- 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.
- Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
- Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Biology
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 5.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.5 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A doctorate or professional degree 97%
- A certificate or some college 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Operating system software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 10
- Job openings each year
- 0
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.