Most people visit a general dentist regularly — for cleanings, fillings, and routine care. But there are situations where a general dentist may refer you to a specialist, and one of the specialists you might be referred to is a prosthodontist.
If you’ve never heard the term before, you’re not alone. Here’s a clear explanation of what prosthodontists do, how their training differs from a general dentist’s, and when seeing one makes a real difference for your outcome.
What Is a General Dentist?
A general dentist completes a four-year dental school program after completing an undergraduate degree. They’re trained to handle a broad range of dental needs — exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, basic extractions, root canals, simple crowns, and more.
For most patients with routine dental needs, a general dentist is exactly the right provider. They can manage a wide variety of conditions and refer out to specialists when a case exceeds their training or scope.
What Is a Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who, after completing dental school, completes an additional three-year residency focused specifically on the restoration and replacement of teeth. That residency is spent treating complex cases — full mouth reconstructions, implant-supported prosthetics, bite rehabilitation, and patients with significant tooth loss or damage.
Prosthodontics is one of the nine recognized dental specialties in the United States. Not every dentist who places implants or makes crowns is a prosthodontist — the specialty requires a formal residency and board examination process.
Key Differences in Scope and Complexity
The most practical difference is the complexity of cases each provider is trained to handle.
General dentists are excellent at maintaining healthy teeth and treating common dental problems. Prosthodontists are specifically trained for cases where teeth are missing, severely damaged, or where the bite itself needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
For example, a general dentist may place a single crown on a tooth with minor damage. A prosthodontist is trained to plan and execute a full mouth reconstruction — restoring every tooth in the mouth, rebuilding the bite, and coordinating implants, crowns, and prosthetics across an entire case.
When Should You See a Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is often the right choice when:
- You’re missing multiple teeth and considering implants, bridges, or dentures
- You’re a candidate for full arch implants (All-on-4 / New Teeth in One Day)
- You need a full mouth reconstruction involving multiple restorations
- You have a complex bite problem that’s affecting your function or comfort
- You’ve had dental work fail and want a specialist’s perspective on why and what to do next
- You want cosmetic work — veneers, smile makeovers — that involves rebuilding multiple teeth at once
Many patients come to a prosthodontist after years of patchwork treatment by multiple providers. Having a specialist who can assess and plan the full picture — rather than treating one tooth at a time — often leads to a more durable, functional, and aesthetic result.
What Dr. Parra and Dr. Craighead Treat at Premier Dental Team
At Premier Dental Team in Gainesville, Dr. Ada Parra is a prosthodontist and Dr. Justin Craighead is both a periodontist and a prosthodontist — a combination that is genuinely rare in a single practice.
Together, they treat the full spectrum of complex restorative and implant cases: dental implants, All-on-4 full arch replacement, snap-in dentures, full mouth reconstruction, cosmetic dentistry, and gum disease treatment. Patients don’t need to be referred to multiple specialists — the expertise is under one roof.
Dr. Parra trained prosthodontic residents at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Craighead is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and lectures nationally on full arch implant therapy and soft tissue management.
For patients in the Gainesville area dealing with tooth loss, failing teeth, or complex restorative needs, Premier Dental Team offers a level of coordinated specialist care that’s uncommon in a community practice setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a prosthodontist better than a general dentist?
It depends on what you need. For routine dental care, a general dentist is exactly right. For complex restorative work — implants, full mouth reconstruction, significant tooth loss, or bite rehabilitation — a prosthodontist’s specialized training is a genuine advantage. Many patients see both: a general dentist for regular maintenance and a prosthodontist for complex treatment.
When should I see a prosthodontist instead of a general dentist?
If you’re missing multiple teeth, need implants, are considering full arch replacement, or have a complex bite problem, a prosthodontist consultation is worth pursuing. Your general dentist may also refer you if your case exceeds routine scope.
How do I know if I need a prosthodontist?
If your dental situation involves significant tooth loss, multiple failing teeth, a bite that doesn’t feel right, or previous dental work that hasn’t held up, a prosthodontist evaluation can give you a comprehensive picture of your options. At Premier Dental Team, consultations are available for new patients — contact us to schedule.
What does a prosthodontist specialize in?
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth. Their training covers dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, full mouth reconstruction, and the rehabilitation of patients with complex bite problems or significant tooth loss. It’s the dental specialty most focused on bringing damaged or missing dentition back to full function and aesthetics.
Schedule a Consultation at Premier Dental Team
If you’re dealing with tooth loss, failing teeth, or a complex dental situation and want a specialist’s perspective, Dr. Parra and Dr. Craighead are here to help. Premier Dental Team serves patients throughout Gainesville and the surrounding area.
Request a consultation online or call us at (352) 372-3600.