We get asked that question too many times. To be honest if I wasn't a Dentist I would be asking the same question. We live in a world of information overload and Dentistry to the lay person is no different. So here's an explanation about what A/Professor Max Guazzato does and why he is a "Prosthodontist"
Dental and medical specialities historically grew out of the need to provide the best available treatment where the treatment required is far more complex, more clinically and technically demanding. The specialty of prosthodontics came about in exactly this way. A Prosthodontist is a specialist dentist who is specifically trained at an advanced level to provide advanced diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative treatment and maintenance of the mouth to achieve optimal comfort, aesthetics and health. It takes three years of full time study in a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in addition to the Bachelor degree to become a dentist. So yes A/Prof Max Guazzato definitely has done all the training and ticked all the boxes (and more) to be recognised by the Australian Dental Board as a Prosthodontist and also a Professor of Prosthodontist (USyd).
The work of a prosthodontist is often related to restoring missing teeth, deficient or broken teeth, restoring function and maintenance of the mouth and smile. The treatment planning and restoration of implants, crowns, fixed bridges, dentures, porcelain veneers, temporomandibular therapy and rehabilitation of the bite all fall under the field of prosthodontics. So the next time your general dentist refers you on to see a Prosthodontist such as A/Prof. Max, I hope this helps explain why you're being referred!
