What is the primary concern of prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is a specialized area of dentistry that primarily focuses on the design, creation, and fitting of artificial replacements for teeth and other parts of the oral cavity. The primary concern in prosthodontics is to replace missing teeth in a way that restores the function, aesthetics, and overall health of a patient’s mouth. This can involve the use of dental implants, bridges, dentures, and other prosthetic devices, allowing patients to regain the ability to chew properly and maintain facial structure.

While aligning teeth, treating gum disease, and removing wisdom teeth are important aspects of dental care, they fall under different specialties within dentistry—orthodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery, respectively. These areas address particular issues but do not focus specifically on the replacement of missing teeth, which is the central aim of prosthodontics. Therefore, the emphasis on restoring and replacing lost teeth distinguishes prosthodontics from other dental practices.