Most people know what a dentist does. But when a treatment involves complex crown work, smile design, implant-supported prosthetics, or rebuilding an entire mouth, the specialist you need is a prosthodontist.
Prosthodontist vs General Dentist
A general dentist completes a dental degree and can provide a wide range of treatments including fillings, cleanings, basic crowns, and extractions. A prosthodontist completes the same dental degree plus an additional two to three years of postgraduate specialisation focused exclusively on restoring and replacing teeth.
Think of it this way: a general dentist is like a general practitioner in medicine, while a prosthodontist is like a specialist surgeon. Both are qualified, but the specialist has deeper training in complex cases.
What Does a Prosthodontist Do?
Prosthodontists are trained in cosmetic smile design and veneer planning, complex crown and bridge work, implant-supported restorations (the crown or prosthesis that goes on top of an implant), full and partial dentures, full mouth reconstruction for patients with extensive wear or damage, bite analysis and occlusal adjustment, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) related prosthetics.
When Should You See a Prosthodontist?
You should consider seeing a prosthodontist if you need a Hollywood smile makeover with multiple veneers, if you are getting dental implants and want the best possible crown or prosthesis, if you have worn down, broken, or severely damaged teeth across multiple areas, if previous dental work has failed and needs redoing, if you need a full mouth reconstruction, or if you want a second opinion on a complex treatment plan.
Dr. Rita Kanbar: Prosthodontist in Beirut
Dr. Rita Kanbar holds a DDS and an MSc in Aesthetic and Prosthetic Dentistry. She is the lead prosthodontist at Lebanon Dental Studio in Jal el Dib and also practises at C.Metric Beauty Dental Clinic in Dbayeh.
Her practice focuses on veneers and smile design, complex crown and bridge cases, implant prosthetics (working alongside oral surgeons who place the implants), and full mouth rehabilitation for patients with severe wear or trauma.
Dr. Rita consults in English, French, and Arabic, making her practice accessible to the expat and diaspora communities in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
The Training Path to Becoming a Prosthodontist
Becoming a prosthodontist requires significantly more training than general dentistry. The path typically follows these stages:
Undergraduate and dental school (5 to 6 years): A Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited university. In Lebanon, this is a five-year programme; in some countries, a pre-dental bachelor’s degree adds additional years.
Postgraduate specialisation (2 to 3 years): After completing dental school, a prosthodontist enrols in a residency programme focused entirely on the restoration and replacement of teeth. This covers advanced crown and bridge techniques, implant prosthetics, complete and removable dentures, digital smile design, occlusion (bite) science, and the management of complex, multi-disciplinary cases.
Continuing education: Like all dental specialists, prosthodontists attend regular courses and conferences to stay current with evolving materials and digital technologies such as CAD/CAM design and 3D printing.
In total, a prosthodontist completes seven to nine years of university-level training before entering independent practice. This depth of education is why prosthodontists are the go-to specialists for the most complex restorative and aesthetic cases.
Common Procedures Performed by a Prosthodontist
Prosthodontists handle a wide range of treatments, many of which overlap with general dentistry but at a higher level of complexity.
Porcelain veneers and Hollywood smile makeovers: Planning and placing multiple veneers to transform the shape, colour, and alignment of an entire smile. A prosthodontist’s training in aesthetics and bite mechanics ensures that the result is not only beautiful but functionally sound.
Crowns and bridges: Restoring damaged or missing teeth with custom-fabricated porcelain, zirconia, or E.max restorations. Prosthodontists are especially valuable when multiple teeth are involved or when previous dental work has failed.
Implant-supported restorations: While the surgical placement of dental implants is performed by an oral surgeon, the prosthodontist designs and places the crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis that attaches to the implant. This is where aesthetics and function meet.
All-on-4 and full-arch prosthetics: Designing a complete set of teeth supported by four to six implants. This requires precise planning of tooth position, bite balance, and lip support.
Full mouth reconstruction: For patients with severe wear, trauma, or long-term neglect, a prosthodontist coordinates the rebuilding of the entire dentition, often working alongside periodontists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons.
Removable dentures: Custom-designed complete or partial dentures that fit precisely and restore chewing function and facial aesthetics.
TMJ and occlusal therapy: Diagnosing and treating bite-related problems that cause jaw pain, headaches, or excessive tooth wear. Custom splints and bite adjustments are part of the prosthodontist’s toolkit.
When a General Dentist Refers You to a Prosthodontist
Not every dental issue requires a specialist. But there are clear situations where a general dentist will recommend you see a prosthodontist:
Multiple missing teeth: When several teeth need replacement, the treatment plan becomes complex. A prosthodontist ensures that implants, bridges, and prosthetics work together as a system.
Failed previous dental work: If crowns keep breaking, bridges feel uncomfortable, or veneers look unnatural, a prosthodontist can identify the underlying issue (often bite-related) and plan a more durable solution.
Severe tooth wear or erosion: Patients who grind their teeth (bruxism) or have acid erosion may need a full-mouth approach to rebuild proper tooth height and bite function.
Cosmetic smile transformation: When the goal is a complete smile redesign rather than a single crown or filling, the precision of a prosthodontist makes a measurable difference in the result.
Complex implant cases: If you need implant-supported restorations in the aesthetic zone (front teeth) or a full-arch solution like All-on-4, the prosthetic design is best handled by a specialist.
If you have a complex dental case or want specialist-level care for your smile, contact us on WhatsApp at +961 71 677 261 to book a consultation.