frequently asked questions
why am I being referred?
A referral to a prosthodontist is made when a patient has a difficult or complex problem that requires advanced specialist management. Extensive training and education provides prosthodontists with the skills for restoring the balance, function and look of the mouth as a whole, as well as of course individual teeth. Prosthodontists are good at identifying the causes of problems and are skilled at providing the solutions.
what can I expect?To clearly identify the nature of a problem, the prosthodontist will ask about your main concerns but will also gather important background information. There will be a lot of questions about your previous dental experiences, medical health and lifestyle. Some may seem unrelated to dental problems but in fact provide important clues to underlying causes and assist the prosthodontist in arriving at a proper diagnosis. Naturally your confidentiality will be totally respected at all times. The initial evaluation ususally takes about 90 minutes (this can be reduced by filling in our online questionnaire). You may be asked to return so further information can be obtained, for example full mouth Xrays, impressions for study models, and even photographs of your teeth. All this helps the prosthodontist put together an accurate and complete picture of your mouth. A separate, third, appointment gives them the opportunity to make definitive treatment recommendations after studying all the information, and gives you ample opportunity to raise questions or concerns you might have. The fees for this process unfortunately do not attract much health fund rebate but, like all good planning, the time and care pays back well in the long term. Its the best first step towards achieving a life time program for dental restoration. The treatment itself, what type and how much, and over what period of time it is done, is always entirely up to you.
what is my general dentist's role?Your general dentist has identified that you require specialist care and by doing this has placed your wellbeing first and wants the best for you. Throughout your treatment your dentist will be informed of progress and after it is complete you can return to them for ongoing care, with a program tailored to fit your needs that may include both general and prosthodontic reviews.
how much will it cost?Unfortunately dental reconstructive and implant work can be extremely costly, depending on what is required. Most prosthodontists respect patients’ financial constraints and are good at tailoring treatment to suit. The important thing is that the work is appropriate and is based on a good assessment and plan. The cost of the first appointment with us is $450 (one and a half hours, assuming additional treatment is not performed) and we ask that this be settled in full on the day. Janis and Yvonne can usually give a broad estimate of the cost of treatment at the first appointment but a detailed estimate is usually not possible until after the treatment planning discussion.
why should I choose this practice?
Because:- our practice is focussed on providing outstanding treatment to patients with complex problems
- we are not the cheapest but we do deliver high quality dentistry (we don't settle for mediocre results)
- our cumulative experience and expertise provides accurate diagnosis and technical delivery which the patient can rely on.
what is the difference between a prosthodontist and a cosmetic dentist?
It is sometimes hard to know who's who in dentistry. In brief the difference lies in the training and qualification they undertake and their ability to recognise and deal with complex dental problems. Prosthodontists are general dentists who turn to an internationally recognised and formally structured university program to give them the extra skill and knowledge required to plan and manage dental problems (even apparently simple ones can be challenging). They are qualified only after several years (currently 3) of strictly monitored full time training and practice and, as a consequence, have a wide and extensive range of techniques and a comprehensive view of the teeth as part of the human body. Rather than simply provide cosmetic solutions, which focus on the way things look, they are trained to correctly diagnose and treat any underlying problems beforehand. This understanding is carried over into all aspects of reconstructing or improving smiles and appearances, including fixed or removable teeth, to s give the patient a superior long-term result rather than a "quick fix" which might break down early or even do irreparable damage.
Dentists who call themselves cosmetic dentists may have undertaken a number of separate 1 or 2 day, or perhaps longer, courses in cosmetic reconstruction. They require no formal qualification beyond being a dentist, nor need to have their relevant knowledge tested in any examination or pass any professional critical review process.
what about someone whose practice is "limited" to prosthodontics?
Any general dentist can "limit" or "restrict" their practice to prosthodontics. No formal training or recognition, beyond the general dental degree, is required.