Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics is the dental specialty focused on restoration and replacement of teeth, involving crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and maxillofacial prosthetics.
Specialty Overview
Scope & Practice
Prosthodontists diagnose and restore complex oral rehabilitation cases, often involving implants, esthetic dentistry, and craniofacial prosthetics.
Common Procedures:
- Crowns and bridgework
- Complete and partial dentures
- Dental implants and overdentures
- Maxillofacial prosthetics
- All‑on‑4 ® full arch restoration
- Occlusal and temporomandibular rehabilitation
- Esthetic veneers and smile design
Professional Roles
Prosthodontics specialists can pursue various career paths within the specialty, often combining multiple roles:
- Private Practice: Specialized prosthodontic practice or multidisciplinary clinic
- Academic: Faculty and research roles at dental schools
- Hospital & Rehab Clinics: Working with medically compromised or maxillofacial patients
Clinical Settings
Prosthodontics specialists practice in diverse environments:
- Prosthodontic specialty clinics
- Multi‑specialty dental offices
- Hospital‑based prosthodontics units
- Cancer craniofacial rehabilitation teams
Specialty Outlook
The prosthodontics profession continues to evolve with technological advances and shifting demographics:
- Rising demand for dental implants
- Growth in geriatric denture care
- Advances in digital prosthetics and CAD/CAM
Digital Innovation
Prosthodontics is increasingly driven by cutting-edge digital technologies transforming patient care:
- 3D‑scanning for impressionless prosthodontics
- CAD/CAM‑designed crowns and frameworks
- AI for esthetic and functional planning
Patient Experience
Modern prosthodontics emphasizes patient comfort and convenience through various approaches:
- Highly personalized restoration workflows
- Streamlined treatment via digital tech
- Interdisciplinary care coordination
Student Journey Roadmap
Pre‑Dental & Dental School Prep
Dental School Clinical Exposure
Geographic Program Map
Competitiveness Level
Application Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
- Degree Required: DDS/DMD from CODA‑accredited school
- Minimum GPA: 3.3
- Average Accepted GPA: 3.6+
- Core Courses: Excellence in prostho, biomaterials, occlusion
- Research Experience: Dedicated restorative research recommended
Standardized Tests
- NBDE: NBDE or INBDE (pass required)
- GRE Required: ~50% of programs
- GRE Verbal: 153+
- GRE Quantitative: 155+
- TOEFL/IELTS: TOEFL/IELTS for international applicants
Letters of Recommendation
- Number Required: 2‑3
- Types:
- • Dental school dean/director
- • Prosthodontic faculty
- • Research mentor (if applicable)
- Emphasis: Clinical/restoration aptitude and research interest
Research Experience
- Dental school research projects
- Publications or presentations helpful
- Experience with restorative/bio‑materials research
Clinical Experience
- Prosthodontic externships/rotations
- Shadowing prosthodontists (~30‑40 hours)
- Lab/dental technician exposure
- Cross‑disciplinary dental experience
Application Components
- ADEA PASS (opens June)
- Program supplemental apps and fees
- Personal statement tailored to prostho
- CV/resume highlighting relevant work
- Official dental transcripts
- Professional photo (optional)
Competitive Profile
- Target GPA: 3.6+
- Target GRE Verbal: 153+
- Target GRE Quantitative: 155+
- Research Publications: 1+
- Shadowing Hours: 30‑40
- Extracurriculars: Leadership, professional orgs
Application Deadlines & Timeline
PASS Opens
ADEA PASS opens for dental specialties
Request LORs
Contact prosthodontic/ref. mentors
Take GRE
If required by chosen programs
Submit Applications
Submit PASS with statements, scores, transcripts
Set Reminders
Get notified about upcoming deadlines
Download Timeline
Save this timeline to your calendar
Competitiveness Overview
Understanding the competitive landscape for this specialty
Applicant to Seat Ratio
1:14
Average GPA
3.6+
Program Duration
3
Average Tuition
$60K+
Starting Salary
$330K
Tips for Success
- Meet Requirements: Focus on meeting basic academic requirements
- Show Interest: Demonstrate genuine interest in the specialty
- Clinical Exposure: Gain some exposure to the specialty
- Strong Application: Present yourself well in applications
Curriculum & Training
Program Structure
Duration
3 years
Weekly Schedule
2‑3 days clinical, 2 days seminars/research
Research Requirements
Research project and thesis/capstone
Degrees Awarded
- Certificate
- MS
- MSD
Clinical Training
- Fixed/removable prosthodontics
- Implant surgery and prosthetics
- Maxillofacial prosthetics
- Occlusion and TMJ therapy
- Digital crown/bridge fabrication
Didactic Education
- Advanced biomaterials
- Occlusion and prostho biomechanics
- 3D imaging and CAD/CAM workflows
- Esthetic dentistry seminars
- Practice management and ethics
Research Activities
- Thesis or capstone project
- Statistical analysis training
- Journal clubs and presentations
Financial Information
Total Program Cost
Programs with Stipends
Living Expenses
Starting Salary
Culture & Lifestyle
Work-Life Balance
Typically 4‑day weeks, limited on‑call duties
Career Satisfaction
High satisfaction from complex rehabilitation cases
Practice Environment
Collaborative labs and clinics with dental technicians
Physical Demands
Moderate, extensive lab work required
Day-in-the-Life
Lab/Clinic Morning
Work on cases, digital design, patient prep
Noon Seminar / Journal Club
Case reviews and research discussions
Afternoon Patient Appointments
Deliver prostheses, follow‑ups, adjustments
Digital Planning / Lab Work
CAD/CAM design, lab coordination
Career Perspective
Resident Perspective
Integration of hands‑on lab and patient care; heavy CAD/CAM involvement
Most programs blend clinical prosthetic delivery with extensive lab and digital training.
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is prosthodontics compared to other specialties?
Approximately 2,100 applicants compete for ~150 positions nationally, resulting in ~14:1 applicant-to-seat ratio.
What is the typical salary for a prosthodontist?
National average is about $330,000 annually, significantly higher than general dentists.
How long is prosthodontic residency?
Prosthodontic residency programs are typically 3 years in length.