Prosthodontists – a type of dentist – are like architects of the mouth; instead of designing buildings, they create plans and structures for peoples’ jaws and teeth. Whether a patient’s jaws or mouth were damaged by an accident or disease, or developed incorrectly, these professionals restore lost function and a healthy appearance. Many people have heard of dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. Prosthodontists use these and other structures to make it easier for patients to chew, speak, and smile! They must carefully measure a patient’s lower facial dimensions so any dental prosthetics or artificial parts fit comfortably. Prosthodontists may design and build prosthetics for patients or supervise their construction by dental technicians and lab workers. Prosthodontists often collaborate with other dentists and health care professionals to plan or provide treatment. They typically work full time. Prosthodontists typically need a doctoral degree from dental school, dentistry licensure, and three years of hands-on residency training. Candidates must also obtain specialty certification in prosthodontics. With so much education and training, your patients will know that you’ve had time to really… sink your teeth… into the latest industry developments.
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
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.
Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
Health
medicine and dentistry
Business
customer service
management
Math and Science
psychology
chemistry
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
understanding people's reactions
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
put together small parts with your fingers
hold or move items with your hands
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Self Control
Persistence
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Medical software
Henry Schein Dentrix
Planet DDS Denticon
Graphics or photo imaging software
Image management software
post-doctoral training or doctoral degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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