April 8-14 is National Prosthodontics Awareness Week

There are an estimated 120 million people in the United States that are missing at least one tooth, and 36 million Americans are missing all teeth in one or both jaws. Missing even one tooth can severely impact an individual’s self-esteem, job prospects, and overall health. Thankfully, there are dental specialists uniquely qualified to help restore these smiles: prosthodontists.  

“Just as you would see an orthodontist to straighten your teeth, you should see a prosthodontist to replace missing teeth,” said Dr. Elaine Torres-Melendez, a board-certified prosthodontist in Pennsylvania.

Prosthodontists specialize in the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth. They utilize prosthetic solutions including dental implants, dentures, crowns, and veneers to help patients improve their oral health and quality of life. Missing any number of teeth, known as edentulism, puts you at a much greater risk for a variety of medical conditions,...