Prosthodontist

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery); Dental Science Dr (Dental Science Doctor); Denturist; Maxillofacial Prosthodontist; Prosthetic Dentist; Prosthodontist; Reconstructive Dentist; Removable Prosthodontist; Restorative Dentist

Tasks

• 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.
• Restore function and aesthetics to traumatic injury survivors, or to individuals with diseases or congenital disabilities.
• Repair, reline, or rebase dentures.
• Use bonding technology on the surface of the teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps.
• Treat facial pain and jaw joint problems.
• Place veneers onto teeth to conceal defects.
• Bleach discolored teeth to brighten and whiten them.

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry
• Customer and Personal Service
• Administration and Management
• English Language
• Biology
• Education and Training
• Psychology

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Science
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Finger Dexterity
• Written Comprehension
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Written Expression
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Category Flexibility
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Flexibility of Closure