Prosthodontics or prosthetic dentistry is a dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.It includes to perform an esthetically higher level of implantology and full mouth reconstruction.
While the dictionary explains it as
n 1. the restoration of the natural teeth and their associated parts in the dental arch by artificial replacements.
n 2. the phase of dental prosthetics dealing with the restoration of function when one or both dental arches have been rendered edentulous.
According to ACP (American College for Prosthodontics)
The American College of Prosthodontists is the professional association of dentists with advanced specialty training who create optimal oral health, both in function and appearance including dental implants, dentures, veneers, crowns and teeth whitening.
AUstralia
A dental prosthetist is a recognised provider by both the Australian Government for services to war veterans and by all private health funds.
# Perform oral health assessments that include taking a health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, saliva testing and taking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose, respiration);
# Perform a dental examination to develop a treatment plan;
# Refer patients with complex dental conditions to an appropriate dentist or specialist dentist;
# Identify, select and prepare instruments, equipment and materials as required;
# Make impressions of the teeth for denture and sports mouthguard construction;
# Make plaster and stone models of the mouth and teeth from impressions;
# Measure and record jaw relationships;
# Replicate the jaw positions using the plaster or stone models on articulating equipment;
# Select and arrange artificial teeth for full or partial dentures;
# Evaluate a dental prosthesis at try-in stage;
# Insert and issue a completed dental prosthesis (denture and sports mouthguard);
# Perform maintenance, repair and reline services on removable dental prosthesis required by the patient or a referring dentist;
# Teach oral health hygiene techniques to help people maintain natural teeth;
# Counsel patients on plaque control, good nutrition, smoking cessation and systemic health.
# Manage the delivery of quality patient care
# Perform all procedures permitted by the dental technician
Sources
http://www.dentalcareers.com.au/Content_Common/pg-Dental-Prosthetist.seo
In U.S.A
Becoming a prosthodontist requires an additional three years of postgraduate specialty training after obtaining a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.