Career Overview
Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.
Also Known As
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
- Denturist
- Maxillofacial Prosthodontist
- Prosthodontist
Alternate Job Titles
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
- Dental Science Dr (Dental Science Doctor)
- Denturist
- Maxillofacial Prosthetics Dentist
- Maxillofacial Prosthodontist
- Oral Maxillofacial Prosthodontist
- Prosthetic Dentist
- Prosthodontist
- Reconstructive Dentist
- Removable Prosthodontist
- Restorative Dentist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases.
- Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
- Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
- Measure and take impressions of patients' jaws and teeth to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses, using face bows, dental articulators, recording devices, and other materials.
- Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
- Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
- Restore function and aesthetics to traumatic injury survivors, or to individuals with diseases or congenital disabilities.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Consult with patients about treatment options.
- Create treatment plans for patients.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Finger Dexterity
- Written Comprehension
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Apple iOS
- Henry Schein Dentrix
Tools & Equipment
- Abutment drivers
- Adjustable articulators
- Air injectors
- Anesthetic injectors
- Articulating paper forceps
- Band pushers
- Bending pliers
- Bird beak pliers
- Boley gauges
- Bracket positioning gauges
- Bunsen burners
- Cement spatulas
- Crown and bridge trays
- Crown grippers
- Crown removal pliers
Work Environment
- Physical Proximity
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $97,370 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 760
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Dentists, General
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $172,790
Orthodontists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.