Frequently Asked Questions
About Prosthodontics

What is the role of a Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a fully trained specialist in prosthetic dentistry. This specialty is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The typical prosthodontic training includes four years of dental school and three years of prosthodontic training in areas of dentistry that include crowns, bridges, dentures, cosmetics, and dental implants.

A prosthodontist provides an extremely high level of care for patients who are missing teeth or have significant damage to their existing teeth. Prosthodontists deal with congenital defects as well as problems arising from trauma and neglect. The prosthodontist can aid in the rehabilitation of a complete dentition or merely in the replacement of one or two teeth. The prosthodontist can supply the control and expertise that is necessary to make a dental implant supported restoration look and function properly.

What does a Prosthodontist do?
A prosthodontist will usually treat the more difficult dental problems such as people who are missing many teeth or have significant functional or aesthetic problems. While your general practitioner is capable of handling some crown and bridge procedures to replace and repair missing teeth, when it comes to more intricate procedures, such as restoring an entire arch or the whole mouth, the prosthodontist is indicated for this difficult and complex type of dental treatment.

How can Prosthodontists improve my quality of life?
Proper mastication of food is essential especially as one grows older. If that patient is unable to properly masticate, it is more difficult to gain the nutrition that a patient needs.

It also helps maintain quality of life. Eating has become much more than a necessity. It is also a major social function which grows in importance as we age. To be able to eat without the embarrassment or pain associated with poor fitting dentures or poorly constructed dental prostheses is a major goal of good prosthodontic treatment.

As our population ages, the role of the prosthodontist becomes critical in maintaining a high standard of dental care. Prosthodontists are trained to do the type of procedures that our aging population needs to provide optimum function and esthetics for their dental condition.

Why has my dentist referred me to you?
You have entrusted your dentist to provide the best care possible during the course of your relationship. Recently it has been has determined that you need a procedure which should be conducted by a dental professional who specializes in those areas of dentistry that your primary dentist does not feel comfortable doing.

You can find out more about Prosthodontics, and why your dentist has chosen to send you to our office, by visiting The American College of Prosthodontics at www.prosthodontics.org.

Where are you located?
We are located at 1691 El Camino Real, Ste. 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Our main phone number is 650.324.1292, and our fax number is 650. 324.1294. We are on the corner of Park Blvd. and El Camino Real, across the street from the grounds of Stanford University.

What are your hours?
We normally practice Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Our office can also be available for emergencies as needed.

How does your Practice work with my general dentist?
Your primary dentist and our practice work as a team to evaluate your condition, prescribe and explain your options, and then correct the condition by each office doing the procedures that best represent the Practice’s expertise. We regularly report our progress to your primary dentist, and he or she will be monitoring your progress with us.

Do you accept my insurance?
We will bill your insurance and handle billing issues, but, at present, we do not accept assigned insurance. We do want you to feel as comfortable as possible with the process, so we will work with your primary dentist to search for financial options that are acceptable to you.

Who keeps me informed about my situation?
During the time you are in our care, we will keep you up to date on your progress. In addition, your primary dentist will also be informed, as well as offering his consultative services as needed. After the specialized procedures are completed, your regular dental care may resume with your primary dentist, or we may elect to take on that responsibility as a team.

How long do your procedures take?
Each dental restoration procedure is comprised of a series of steps, some of which need to be revisited over a period of months to obtain best results. Each procedure is different, and each patient’s needs are different. We will lay out a plan in which you will know how long your particular procedure will take, approximately how long each visit will be, and what your expectations for functioning immediately after treatment will be.

Can I drive or leave the office on my own after a procedure, or should I arrange for assistance afterwards?
In most cases, you are able to drive a vehicle back home. As we outline your procedure game plan, we will indicate to you upfront what you will be able to do and not do, as well as how what to expect at every juncture.

How do I schedule an appointment?
The best way to schedule an initial consultation is to call us directly during business hours. Our phone number is 650.324.1292.