Board Certified Prosthodontist
Board Certified Prosthodontist
In Fairfield, CT
Board Certified Prosthodontist In Fairfield, CT
Prosthodontics was one of the original dental specialties first recognized by the American Dental Association in 1948, along with oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics. The American Dental Association now recognizes twelve dental specialties.
Prostho (derived from “prosthesis”) -dontics (derived from “odontia” or teeth) is the dental specialty that focuses on restoring missing or broken teeth through fillings, crowns, dental bridges, implants, and dentures. Prosthodontists are specialists in full mouth reconstructions and cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry.
How are Prosthodontists Different?
After completing four years of undergraduate education and four years of dental school, prosthodontists then undergo an additional three years of specialty training through a hospital or university-based program accredited by the ADA.
This rigorous advanced graduate training includes lectures, literature reviews, seminars, and laboratory and clinical training in all facets of dental health and restoration. These extra years are aimed at training prosthodontists to think comprehensively, which enables them to treat patients as a whole, not just as a set of individual teeth.
Prosthodontists most often serve as the directing coordinator of a patient’s overall dental treatment; in other words, they act as the “quarterback” on a team of other specialists that may include periodontists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and endodontists.
Why Should I See a Board-Certified Prosthodontist?
After having completed the three-year residency program, prosthodontists have the option of applying for board certification. The process of becoming board certified is rigorous and can take years; only about one in five prosthodontists have passed the exams required to become board-certified.
As of 2021, there are 201,927 practicing dentists in the United States. There are approximately 3,500 prosthodontists in the United States; of those prosthodontists, about 20% are board certified. Dr. Christine Lee is one of 15 board-certified prosthodontists practicing in private practice in the state of CT.
The candidate is required to demonstrate the highest integration of clinical and didactic knowledge through four separate written and oral exams administered by the American Board of Prosthodontics.
After becoming certified, Diplomates are required to renew their certification every eight years to ensure they remain current on the newest updates to the specialty and the field of dentistry.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Prosthodontist in Fairfield
Call or text our office at (203) 259-7073 to schedule an appointment or consultation. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Dr. Christine Lee has proven the depth of her knowledge and skill in the field of prosthodontics. She is regarded as one of the most highly trained restorative dentists and is dedicated to the highest standard of care.
