Pre-dental student strongly interested in Prosthodontist. I have some questions.

[coronahopeful]

Hello all,

I am a graduate student who has a strong passion for dentistry. During this pandemic, I've given a lot of thought towards my 10 year plan. One of my goals within this time frame is to specialize. I would like to have some questions answered to gain some insight into this amazing profession.

1. General dentistry is a back-breaking profession (Whole lot of labor). This is a common consensus I've come to observe in this forum. If prosthodontist is pretty much labeled as a glorified general dentist, would the same kind of labor and stress also apply to prosthodontist? Would it be less stressful because of higher compensation? Is it less back breaking work because you can choose to only do certain procedures? Wouldn't this also apply to a general dentist?

2. What are the biggest challenges when it comes to prosthodontist?

3. How much do both prosthodontists and maxillofacial prosthodontists make?

4. If all goes to plan, I will be 34 when I graduate dental school, will this be too late to pursue prosthodontics? Is the ROI worth it if I will be in the hole 400k (excluding residency)?

5. How does the outlook of the field of prosthodontics look like post-corona?

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post. I hope to learn much more about this awesome field from you all!

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[PerioDont]

Hello all,

I am a graduate student who has a strong passion for dentistry. During this pandemic, I've given a lot of thought towards my 10 year plan. One of my goals within this time frame is to specialize. I would like to have some questions answered to gain some insight into this amazing profession.

1. General dentistry is a back-breaking profession (Whole lot of labor). This is a common consensus I've come to observe in this forum. If prosthodontist is pretty much labeled as a glorified general dentist, would the same kind of labor and stress also apply to prosthodontist? Would it be less stressful because of higher compensation? Is it less back breaking work because you can choose to only do certain procedures? Wouldn't this also apply to a general dentist?

2. What are the biggest challenges when it comes to prosthodontist?

3. How much do both prosthodontists and maxillofacial prosthodontists make?

4. If all goes to plan, I will be 34 when I graduate dental school, will this be too late to pursue prosthodontics? Is the ROI worth it if I will be in the hole 400k (excluding residency)?

5. How does the outlook of the field of prosthodontics look like post-corona?

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post. I hope to learn much more about this awesome field from you all!

Hi coronahopeful,

Prosthodontists do many of the same procedures as GPs, but usually the more difficult cases. The labor and physical stress would be the same if not more because you may spend all day prepping a full arch case.

I would first worry about getting into dental school, then getting through dental school, and then worry about specializing in prosthodontics 🙂

you really don't know what a specialty is till you get into it, so one step at a time. to answer your question though for #4, I would probably not pursue it if you are already 400k in the hole as many prosth residencies cost $$ and don't pay anything.

 

[nobeldds]

If you have the financial means to take the time and money to become a prosthodontist (3 years and $2-300k on top of dental school), then you would also be free to practice general dentistry in a way that isn’t back breaking.

They both have the potential to be “back breaking” in less than ideal circumstances. Typically, a GP sees more patients in more quick and simple circumstances while prosthodontists see far less with longer and more complicated treatments for a higher fee.

Many prosthodontists occupy positions and salaries shared by fellow general dentists. If you’re the type of person who would make a lot of money as a prosthodontist, then you would likely make a lot as a GP too.

If you are set on being a prosthodontist, especially a maxillofacial prosthodontist, then I would absolutely join the military. Unless you don’t see your dental career as your main source of income

 

[P7898]

Unfortunately prosth is something of a deficit in terms of being a GP and I will tell you why. They have maser restorative experience which is great however when you go to a prosth residency you lose a couple of critical things (speed of seeing patients, endo skills, Invisalign experience, complex extractions (may vary), hygiene flow to procedure balance, etc.) see where I am going with this? Yes, you can do a prosth residency and practice as a GP but why waste 3 years of your life and $200k with interest to be able to do cases that twice a year come to you just to make like $20k more on average?

If you want to be a referral prosth, this is another difficult but DOABLE case to tackle. Much modern prosth today are marketing veneers and full mouth cases. Mostly things GPs wouldn't try or do not think it is worth their time to tackle a strongly aesthetic conscious veneer patient or a collapsed VDO that is willing to pay for a hybrid or overdentures. The lab bills on these cases are massive and if you have to redo anything, you lose money. If you do not have to redo anything, they are very profitable. Yet again, 3 years of your life, not a lot of job openings, similar scope as a GP...

Back breaking is irrelevant but relevant. Meaning - have good posture, work out, stretch, take care of your body, do not be a slob. Yes, sometimes you have to look at a distal aspect of a tooth that you are doing a filling on or crown prep on and turn your neck or back in a way that you do not like - welcome to dentistry (prosth deals with this too just not as much).

 

[Rambunctious]

Hello all,

I am a graduate student who has a strong passion for dentistry. During this pandemic, I've given a lot of thought towards my 10 year plan. One of my goals within this time frame is to specialize. I would like to have some questions answered to gain some insight into this amazing profession.

1. General dentistry is a back-breaking profession (Whole lot of labor). This is a common consensus I've come to observe in this forum. If prosthodontist is pretty much labeled as a glorified general dentist, would the same kind of labor and stress also apply to prosthodontist? Would it be less stressful because of higher compensation? Is it less back breaking work because you can choose to only do certain procedures? Wouldn't this also apply to a general dentist?

2. What are the biggest challenges when it comes to prosthodontist?

3. How much do both prosthodontists and maxillofacial prosthodontists make?

4. If all goes to plan, I will be 34 when I graduate dental school, will this be too late to pursue prosthodontics? Is the ROI worth it if I will be in the hole 400k (excluding residency)?

5. How does the outlook of the field of prosthodontics look like post-corona?

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post. I hope to learn much more about this awesome field from you all!

dont ever say a prosthodontist is a glorified dentist, thats far from the truth and insulting to them. They are dental wizards and you'll figure out why if you get into dental school.

 

[P7898]

dont ever say a prosthodontist is a glorified dentist, thats far from the truth and insulting to them. They are dental wizards and you'll figure out why if you get into dental school.

What can they do that a koi's or a spear dentist cannot? Sorry I know prosths and the only difference is tx planning by the textbook and fixed implant prosthesis (which do not come around a lot). This is of course in your average suburban area.

 

[Rambunctious]

What can they do that a koi's or a spear dentist cannot? Sorry I know prosths and the only difference is tx planning by the textbook and fixed implant prosthesis (which do not come around a lot). This is of course in your average suburban area.

Completely rehabilitating someones occlusion from nothing to what it used to be or close to it is one of the hardest things in dentistry and prosthodontists have it down. All on 4, cases require so much treatment planning, appointments dedication that your average dentist cannot fathom. Whenever you were stuck on on your removable or complicated fixed prosth cases back in dental school did you call your spear dentist?

 

[P7898]

Completely rehabilitating someones occlusion from nothing to what it used to be or close to it is one of the hardest things in dentistry and prosthodontists have it down. All on 4, cases require so much treatment planning, appointments dedication that your average dentist cannot fathom. Whenever you were stuck on on your removable or complicated fixed prosth cases back in dental school did you call your spear dentist?

I called the general dentist and they helped me. I mean I agree with everything you said. How many all on 4 cases or complete oral rehab come in your office though? I assume 1 to none just on average. Or people that can afford those treatments. These are the points I am making in a general office.... you do not need to go into $200k+ debt and 3 years of your life only to do a minute number of more cases...

 

[Rambunctious]

I called the general dentist and they helped me. I mean I agree with everything you said. How many all on 4 cases or complete oral rehab come in your office though? I assume 1 to none just on average. Or people that can afford those treatments. These are the points I am making in a general office.... you do not need to go into $200k+ debt and 3 years of your life only to do a minute number of more cases...

I personally don't touch those cases, but there are prosthodontists that solely do all on 4 and they make a killing. You can say what you're saying about any dental specialty, "why go X amount into debt when a general dentist can do it" and if you don't know the answer to that question then I see why it's pointless for me to even try to make you understand.

 

[P7898]

Dude you can relax we are just talking about real world things here... no life or death situations. Just reiterating how hard it is essentially to be a referral based prosthodontist versus doing prosth training and practicing as a GP. A person that is a prosthodontist versus a person who a GP will do fine work - crown, bridge, filling work as well as 99% of removal cases. I am not down grading any specialist.

I personally don't touch those cases, but there are prosthodontists that solely do all on 4 and they make a killing. You can say what you're saying about any dental specialty, "why go X amount into debt when a general dentist can do it" and if you don't know the answer to that question then I see why it's pointless for me to even try to make you understand.

 

[MLC45]

I was a prosth assistant for 13 years before I went to DS. It's not as glorious and exciting with doing all on 4's several times a month. Most of the patients are ones GP's don't want. Either the case is too challenging, or the patient them self is a complete pain in the A**. I saw car accidents, oral cancer patients, suicide attempts, and a ton of patients that got work done by a GP that didn't know what they were doing and we had to fix it for them (by now patients were broke because the GP took all their money). My boss said a Prosthodontist is low man on the totem pole and that most GP's made more than he did. Parts (Implants) are expensive and to do things right is time consuming.

I absolutely love doing prosth. Having someone crying in your chair because they can finally eat without pain is an amazing feeling. You can actually do something great and life changing for someone else. Just know it can be really hard work and the pay can be on the low side, unless you plan on not seeing these patients and only doing veneers and Hollywood smiles for the rich.

 

[allDAT]

I’ve looked at a few practices for sale by prosths lately that basically practice like general dentists, and they’re practices have been below average to be honest. OON, but not collecting much.

One of the challenges for prosth is that where you want to live, there are few patients who both have a need for FMR...AND can pay for it.

Traditionally, prosth wouldn’t have a hygiene department but depend on referrals. That’s a tough way to make a living. The prosths I know who do very well are partners with an OS, and gear themselves towards implant retained prosthetics.

One prosth I know who does very well also just does dentures. That’s it - the general dentists who don’t want to make dentures, refer to him so it works out well (referring denture patients don’t erode your hygiene department)

 

[allDAT]

I’ve looked at a few practices for sale by prosths lately that basically practice like general dentists, and they’re practices have been below average to be honest. OON, but not collecting much.

One of the challenges for prosth is that where you want to live, there are few patients who both have a need for FMR...AND can pay for it.

Traditionally, prosth wouldn’t have a hygiene department but depend on referrals. That’s a tough way to make a living. The prosths I know who do very well are partners with an OS, and gear themselves towards implant retained prosthetics.

One prosth I know who does very well also just does dentures. That’s it - the general dentists who don’t want to make dentures, refer to him so it works out well (referring denture patients don’t erode your hygiene department)

I should add - I only know about half a dozen prosthodontics so it’s a small sample size. I’ve looked at 3 practices for sale by prosth practicing as a GP over the last 2 years.

 

[PerioDont]

Agreed. I met one prosth who specifically did not put that he was a prosth anywhere on his website as he felt pts understood it to mean that he charges more. He practiced exactly as a GP, though he has the ability to do more complicated things.

I think referral based prosth practices are a tough market. There just is not that many people that can afford the 50k rehabs that prosth can do. Amazing abilities, but in my experience the majority of prosth are faculty in dental schools. I know a few referral based prosth that were really struggling and ended up working as GPs as well or becoming faculty. I admire the abilities of many prosthodontists but would not advocate for a prosth residency for most.