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ACP News   March 13, 2013

National Prosthodontics Awareness Week Is April 7-13, 2013

“I wish I knew what a prosthodontist was earlier,” said Ronnie, whose rapid tooth decay was a medical mystery until she sought the services of a prosthodontist. Find a prosthodontist on prosthodontics.org.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –CHICAGO – The American College of Prosthodontists is pleased to celebrate National Prosthodontics Awareness Week (NPAW) from April 7-13, 2013.  Now in its fourth year, the week-long celebration seeks to raise public awareness about proper oral health.

“As a prosthodontist, I am concerned that more than 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth and 33 million are without any teeth,” said New York City-based prosthodontist, Lawrence E. Brecht, D.D.S., 2013 NPAW co-chair.

“Increased awareness about proper dental care is critical for people of all ages,” said Avinash S. Bidra, B.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P., 2013 NPAW co-chair. “As a prosthodontist, I bring back an esthetic smile, the ability to chew and a chance to speak clearly.”

During National Prosthodontics Awareness Week, the American College of Prosthodontists is proud to be a sponsor of the Ad Council’s first oral health campaign in its 70-year history.  From digital dentistry advances that reduce a patient’s time in a dental chair, as featured in the New York Times, to restorations, and treatment options for oral health issues; prosthodontists worldwide are committed to improving patient outcomes long after NPAW.

Meet Sylvia...

In Oklahoma City, oral cancer survivor Sylvia sought the services of a local prosthodontist after oral cancer left her with no roof of her mouth. “You can hardly do anything without a roof of your mouth. You can’t eat. You can’t speak or swallow,” said Sylvia, a survivor of oral cancer. 

Luckily, Sylvia consulted with local prosthodontist, Lars Bouma, D.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Bouma is a specialized dentist with advanced training in oral health, who came up with a progressive solution – he designed a device that replaced the roof of her mouth (an obturator) that permits Sylvia to speak, chew, drink a glass of water, and most important of all: smile with her grandkids. 

“Today, people can’t believe how great my mouth is,” said a smiling Sylvia.

Meet Ronnie…

Ronnie’s teeth decayed for six years after drinking too many sugar-laden sports drinks, sucking on lemons and citrus foods, and brushing too vigorously immediately after eating. So she flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii to seek the care of prosthodontist Hugh Wang, D.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P., and now has a beautiful smile. 

“I wish I knew what a prosthodontist was earlier. Finding out about prosthodontists changed my life,” said Ronnie, a computer executive, who recommends patients go to a prosthodontist first if they experience tooth decay. Patients may visit prosthodontics.org and find a prosthodontist by typing in their zip code.

“Patients need to know that specialists like prosthodontists exist, and seek out the specialty that is recognized by the American Dental Association,” said Ronnie.   

From implants, a single crown, several crowns, veneers, tooth whitening, dentures or full-mouth implant reconstruction, prosthodontists are highly-trained dentists whose advanced training and commitment to improved patient outcomes are now being sought by baby boomers wanting beautiful, specialized dentistry and optimal oral health.

Meet Deanna…

Is your cosmetic dentist is a prosthodontist? Ask.

“I wanted implants to replace my crowns, and I had a cracked tooth on the bottom when I finally found a prosthodontist,” said Deanna when she sought the services of a prosthodontist.  I’m thrilled as I can now go into my 50s without having to do anything about my teeth,” said Deanna, who worked with prosthodontist Jean C. Wu, D.D.S., in Newport Beach, Calif., to beautify her smile utilizing new digital dentistry techniques such as digital shade matching, evaluating her bite, and using stronger, beautiful porcelain to produce more natural appearing teeth.

NPAW is the perfect opportunity to find your local prosthodontist at prosthodontics.org. Prosthodontists nationwide and globally will be hosting free events including oral health screenings, lectures, community service outreach, among other activities geared toward the public and patients.

“Like medicine, dentistry has become more highly specialized,” said Dr. Bidra. “Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in implants, esthetic and reconstructive dentistry, and they are committed to improving patient treatment outcomes.” 

Prosthodontists are proficient in comprehensive oral health diagnosis, treatment planning and oral reconstruction. Someone may be missing one or more teeth or may be interested in dental implants while someone else may wear dentures or may want to improve the appearance of his or her smile. Simply put, a prosthodontist has the skills and training to restore optimal appearance and function to your smile in the toughest of situations.   

For more information about NPAW visit prosthodontics.org/NPAW. Become a champion!

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