About this time of year, people are looking forward to three things—Christmas, New Years and…those glorious W-2’s at the end of January! Yes, that means your tax refund is right around the corner when that comes in the mail. After every tax season, we see an uptick in people scheduling for dental implant specialist in Corpus Christi. Sure, some people may be using that tax refund for a vacation, a home renovation or getting that 75” TV in time for the Super Bowl.
Some people, however, are investing in their future in a very personal and long-lasting way—they’re investing in their smile. Your smile often is the leading indicator of how you feel about yourself and so it makes sense that one would want to have it look the way they want it to.
In order to get that great smile, you’ve been missing due to tooth trauma, weak teeth, or other hereditary dental issues. Getting dental implants in Corpus Christi takes a bit more due diligence than just walking into a random dentist. If you want dental implants done right, you need to visit a prosthodontist.
As with any medical procedure, the success of the procedure depends not only on you following doctors orders but also on the competence of the doctor performing the procedure. That being said, you need to know how to choose the right prosthodontist for the job and we will show you just what to look for. But first, you need to know just what a prosthodontist does and how they differ from dentists in Corpus Christi.
Prosthodontist Vs. Dentists
While a dentist is perfectly suitable for routine general dentistry procedures such as fillings, debridement, and whitening teeth; a prosthodontist handles more complex specialized procedures in the dentistry practice.
Prosthodontics: The Short Explanation
Prosthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that mainly focuses on cosmetic and restoration procedures that perfect a broken or deformed smile. Most often it’s procedures that deal with tooth loss, jawbone issues, or structural deformities that can severely alter your facial appearance and function.
Dentistry In A Nutshell
While prosthodontists focus on specific and specialized areas of dentistry; dentists do the day to day, routine work that is more preventative and maintenance focused procedures. If your dentist recommends oral surgery, they refer you to a prosthodontist. Both professions work together to create and maintain the perfect smile for patients for life.
Some Procedures Prosthodontists Handle
Tooth Replacement
If you’ve ever lost a tooth, then you know all about the domino effect of related problems it can cause. Altered bite, malnutrition, shifting of teeth, and depression. A prosthodontist is going to be your go-to option to remedy this problem permanently. Dental implants in Corpus Christi, are the most popular option to fix this problem because it is a natural fit that restores form, feel, and function that is just like natural teeth.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
What if you’ve lost more than one tooth though? Are dental implants still an option? The answer is yes, they sure can be! Depending on the condition of your jawbone, you may be able to benefit from full mouth reconstruction which is basically dental implants on a modular level.
TMJ Treatment
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ as it is often referred to; is extremely painful due to the fact that it is inflammation of the nerves that connect your mandible. Prosthodontists are often referred in these cases to help reduce the problem or eliminate it with various therapy and devices.
All of these conditions and many more are very serious in nature and should honestly only be dealt with by a certified prosthodontist to prevent further damage. That’s why you need to be careful and look into prosthodontists in Corpus Christi before choosing who to trust with your oral health.
What Makes A Qualified Prosthodontist?
Like anything health related, cheap is never good, and good is never cheap. If you just choose your prosthodontist based on the price, then you will get what you pay for. Procedures on the jaw, teeth, and nerves are very delicate and horrible repercussions can come from improper procedures. That being said, there are some specifics you should seek out for when seeking a prosthodontist:
- Certification – This is a must. If a prosthodontist isn’t certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics, walk out and never go back in that office. That is your first clue that something is not right there. For those that are certified as they should be, check to make sure their certification is current; it has to be renewed every eight years.
- Industry Affiliation – Besides being certified, a good prosthodontist should have and maintain a membership with the professional associations within their specialty and region. These associations are vital to keeping on the cutting edge of technology within the field and continuing education.
- Well Reviewed – Always check various sites such as Yelp or Facebook for practice reviews. Even the best prosthodontists get a bad review here and there but overall, if they are good—their reviews will show it.
- No Hidden Fees – Even though budget can be a major decider in choosing a provider don’t let it sway you from good service, but also make sure the providers you are considering have their fees are clearly outlined and well disclosed.
Skip The Hassle And Call Vela For Dental Implants In Corpus Christi
Listen, we know getting dental implants or having other serious cosmetic dental procedures can be nerve-racking. You can take some of that hassle out of choosing the best prosthodontist and just go directly to the best. Yes, at Vela Dental Centers we are that confident in our skills, our experience and our attention to patient care make us the best choice for your advanced dental needs.
Contact us today for a no-risk consultation on dental implants and other major procedures to improve your smile.
