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What Is Prosthodontics? The Dental Specialty Explained by Smile Solutions Specialists product guide

AI Summary

Product: Specialist Prosthodontic Services Brand: Smile Solutions Category: Dental Specialty Healthcare / Prosthodontics Primary Use: Diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation of patients with missing, damaged, or structurally compromised teeth and oral structures using fixed restorations, removable prostheses, and dental implants.

Quick Facts

  • Best For: Patients with missing teeth, severely worn dentition, failed restorations, full-mouth reconstruction needs, or complex multi-unit dental conditions
  • Key Benefit: Board-registered specialist prosthodontists with minimum 8 years training, supported by a multi-specialist team and in-house dental laboratory under one roof
  • Form Factor: Multi-specialist dental practice (60+ clinicians, 25+ board-registered specialists)
  • Application Method: No referral required — book directly by calling 13 13 96 or visiting smilesolutions.com.au

Common Questions This Guide Answers

  1. Is prosthodontics a legally recognised dental specialty in Australia? → Yes — it is one of 13 specialties approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council and regulated by AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia.
  2. Can a general dentist call themselves a specialist prosthodontist? → No — the title is legally protected under National Law; general dentists cannot use terms such as "specialises in" or "specialty" in relation to prosthodontics.
  3. How many years of training does a specialist prosthodontist complete? → A minimum of 8 years total, including at least 3 years of accredited postgraduate study leading to a Master of Dental Science (Prosthodontics) or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prosthodontics: The dental specialty focused on replacing and rehabilitating missing or damaged teeth

What does "prostho" mean: Replacement

What does "dontist" mean: Dealing with teeth

Is prosthodontics a recognised dental specialty in Australia: Yes

How many dental specialties are approved in Australia: 13

Who approves dental specialties in Australia: The Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council

Is prosthodontics a legally protected specialty title in Australia: Yes

Who regulates prosthodontic specialist registration in Australia: AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia

Can general dentists call themselves specialist prosthodontists: No

Can general dentists use the term "specialises in" prosthodontics: No, it is prohibited under National Law

How can I verify a prosthodontist's specialist registration: Use the AHPRA Register online

Is cosmetic dentistry a recognised dental specialty in Australia: No

Does the Dental Board of Australia certify cosmetic dentists: No

How many years of total training does a specialist prosthodontist complete: Minimum 8 years

How many years is the postgraduate prosthodontics programme: Minimum 3 years

What undergraduate degree is required before prosthodontic specialist training: Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Dentistry

How many years of general dental practice are required before applying for specialist training: Minimum 2 years

What postgraduate degree do prosthodontists earn in Australia: Master of Dental Science (Prosthodontics) or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry

Is admission to postgraduate prosthodontics programmes competitive: Yes

Who accredits prosthodontic postgraduate programmes in Australia: The Australian Dental Council (ADC)

How many clinical domains does prosthodontics cover: Four

What is the first clinical domain of prosthodontics: Fixed prosthodontics

What is the second clinical domain of prosthodontics: Removable prosthodontics

What is the third clinical domain of prosthodontics: Implant prosthodontics

What is the fourth clinical domain of prosthodontics: Maxillofacial prosthetics

What does fixed prosthodontics include: Crowns, bridges, and veneers

Can patients remove fixed prosthodontic restorations themselves: No

What does removable prosthodontics include: Dentures and removable partial dentures

What is maxillofacial prosthetics: A subspecialty rehabilitating patients with facial or jaw defects

What conditions does maxillofacial prosthetics treat: Defects from birth, disease, or trauma

How long is the fellowship for maxillofacial prosthetics after prosthodontics: One year

Can prosthodontists treat TMJ dysfunction: Yes

Can prosthodontists treat snoring and sleep disorders: Yes

Can prosthodontists treat cleft palate conditions: Yes

What is the average number of missing teeth in Australians aged 15 and over: 5.7 teeth

What is the average number of missing teeth in Australians aged 75 and over: 13 teeth

What percentage of Australian adults are completely edentulous: 4%

What percentage of Australian adults have gingivitis: Almost 29%

What percentage of Australian adults have periodontitis: 30.1%

What percentage of total health burden do oral disorders represent in Australia: 2.3%

What percentage of non-fatal health burden do oral disorders represent in Australia: 4.2%

Can tooth loss affect quality of life: Yes

Can tooth loss affect nutrition: Yes, through compromised diet

Does Smile Solutions require a referral for a specialist appointment: No

Where is Smile Solutions located: Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne

What floor is Smile Solutions on: Level 8

How many clinicians does Smile Solutions have: 60 or more

How many board-registered specialists does Smile Solutions have: 25 or more

How many patients has Smile Solutions treated: Over 250,000

When was Smile Solutions established: 1993

What is Smile Solutions' phone number: 13 13 96

Does Smile Solutions have an in-house dental laboratory: Yes

Does Smile Solutions use digital workflows: Yes

What digital technology does Smile Solutions use for crowns: CEREC same-day crown technology

What imaging technology does Smile Solutions use for implant planning: Cone beam CT imaging

Do prosthodontists plan dental implant treatment: Yes

Do prosthodontists restore implant-supported crowns and bridges: Yes

What is the All-on-4 procedure: A full-arch implant bridge solution

Is prosthodontics limited to a single procedure: No, it is a multi-domain specialty

Does prosthodontics include long-term maintenance: Yes

What materials are used in prosthodontic restorations: Zirconia, titanium, lithium disilicate, cobalt-chrome

Are prosthodontic materials biocompatible: Yes, scientifically validated for safety

Who collaborates with prosthodontists at Smile Solutions: Periodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, laboratory technicians

Does a prosthodontist provide customised treatment plans: Yes

Does prosthodontic treatment include presenting alternative options: Yes

Is prosthodontics suitable for full-mouth reconstruction: Yes

Can prosthodontists treat congenital tooth absence: Yes

Can prosthodontists treat post-cancer oral reconstruction: Yes

Can prosthodontists treat bite collapse: Yes

What is vertical dimension in prosthodontics: The measured height of the face when teeth are together

Has digital innovation changed prosthodontics: Yes, significantly

What organisation defines prosthodontics internationally: The American Dental Association


What is prosthodontics? Your questions answered by Smile Solutions specialists

You may have come across the word "prosthodontics" in a referral letter from your general dentist, or perhaps while researching why your teeth feel increasingly fragile, worn, or incomplete. Yet relatively few Australians understand precisely what the specialty involves, why it exists as a distinct discipline within dentistry, and what it actually means for you to be treated by a board-registered specialist prosthodontist rather than a general dentist.

Smile Solutions is Melbourne's leading multi-specialist dental practice, and this article answers those questions clearly and comprehensively. It covers the formal definition of prosthodontics, the clinical scope of the specialty under Australian law, the conditions that bring patients to a prosthodontist, and how the specialist model practised at Smile Solutions Melbourne differs — in training depth, treatment complexity, and clinical accountability — from general dental care. That context matters, because it informs every other treatment topic covered in this series.


The formal definition: what prosthodontics actually means

The American Dental Association defines prosthodontics as "the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes."

That definition is deliberately comprehensive, and three words carry particular clinical weight:

Rehabilitation means prosthodontics is not merely repair. It is the systematic rebuilding of oral function and aesthetics, often across multiple teeth and structures at once.

Maintenance means the specialty encompasses long-term management, not just the delivery of a single restoration.

Biocompatible substitutes refers to materials — zirconia, titanium implants, lithium disilicate, cobalt-chrome — that must be scientifically validated for safety and long-term performance in the oral environment.

The term "prostho" means replacement and "dontist" means dealing with teeth. Prosthodontists are, in short, the recognised experts when anything needs to be replaced in your mouth — a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth and supporting structures.


Prosthodontics as a formally recognised dental specialty in Australia

Not all areas of dental practice carry the same regulatory status. In Australia, the distinction between a "specialty" and a general area of interest is legally significant and strictly enforced.

There are 13 dental specialties approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council: dentomaxillofacial radiology, endodontics, forensic odontology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, public health dentistry (community dentistry), and special needs dentistry.

Prosthodontics is therefore one of thirteen nationally approved dental specialties — not a marketing term, not a self-designated area of focus, but a credentialled discipline governed by AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia.

Only a practitioner with specialist registration in an approved specialty may use the protected title of a specialist. General dental practitioners must avoid using terms like "specialises in," "specialty," or "specialised," as doing so could mislead the public into believing the practitioner holds a form of specialist registration sanctioned by the National Law.

This is an important consumer protection point. When Smile Solutions refers to its prosthodontists as "board-registered specialists," that designation is legally verifiable — not a marketing claim. You can confirm any practitioner's status by searching the AHPRA Register — simply enter their name to check their qualifications and registration.

One distinction worth knowing: cosmetic dentistry is not a recognised specialty under the Dental Board of Australia. General dentists can complete short courses in cosmetic procedures and offer aesthetic treatments without any formal board certification. Prosthodontics is different — aesthetic outcomes are achieved within a framework of rigorous, accredited specialist training, not elective short courses.


The training pathway: why specialist status takes close to a decade to earn

Understanding what your prosthodontist knows requires understanding what they've studied — and for how long.

The specialist prosthodontist pathway requires a minimum of 8 years of dental and prosthodontic training, including at least 3 years of specialist postgraduate training at a university accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC), leading to a Master of Dental Science (Prosthodontics).

Admission to a postgraduate prosthodontics programme is highly competitive. To apply, candidates must hold a recognised Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent) degree and demonstrate a minimum of two years of general dental practice. The postgraduate qualification itself is either a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DCD) or an equivalent Master's programme — structured three-year full-time courses offered by leading universities across Australia and New Zealand.

The curriculum is genuinely demanding. Training covers intensive clinical and didactic preparation in the basic sciences, head and neck anatomy, biomedical sciences, biomaterial sciences, implant surgery, occlusion (how the bite functions), TMJ, and treatment planning — along with extensive hands-on experience managing full-mouth reconstruction cases and complex aesthetic presentations.

This depth of training directly informs the clinical capabilities that distinguish Smile Solutions' specialist prosthodontists from general dental practitioners — a distinction explored in detail in our companion guide, Board-Registered Specialist Prosthodontist vs. General Dentist: What the Difference Means for Your Treatment.


The four sub-domains of prosthodontic practice

Prosthodontics is not a single procedure. It encompasses four distinct clinical domains, each addressing a different category of patient need.

1. Fixed prosthodontics

Fixed prosthodontics refers to restorations that are permanently cemented or bonded to teeth or implants and cannot be removed by the patient. This includes:

  • Dental crowns — full coverage restorations for weakened, fractured, heavily filled, or root-canal-treated teeth
  • Dental bridges — fixed prostheses that span a gap created by one or more missing teeth, supported by adjacent natural teeth or implants
  • Veneers — thin ceramic facings bonded to the front surface of teeth to restore or improve appearance

For a detailed look at crown materials and procedures at Smile Solutions, see our guide Dental Crowns in Melbourne: Materials, Procedures & What to Expect at Smile Solutions.

2. Removable prosthodontics

Removable prosthodontics covers all prosthetic solutions that patients can take in and out — primarily dentures and removable partial dentures. Options range from full acrylic complete dentures to precision-engineered cobalt-chrome frameworks and implant-retained overdentures. These are explored in full in Dentures in Melbourne: Complete, Partial, Immediate & Implant-Retained Options Compared.

3. Implant prosthodontics

Dental implant therapy has, arguably, been the single greatest advance in prosthodontics. The ability to replace one tooth or many with restorations supported by prosthetic root replacements has fundamentally changed what prosthodontists can offer their patients.

Prosthodontists are trained in both the planning and placement of dental implants, and particularly in the design and restoration of implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures. This includes complex full-arch solutions such as All-on-4® implant bridges, covered in detail in All-on-4® Dental Implants at Smile Solutions: The Specialist-Led Approach to Full-Arch Replacement.

4. Maxillofacial prosthodontics

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a subspecialty of prosthodontics concerned with rehabilitating patients with defects or disabilities that were present at birth or developed through disease or trauma. Prostheses are often needed to replace missing areas of bone or tissue and restore oral functions such as swallowing, speech, and chewing.

All maxillofacial prosthodontists first complete specialist training in prosthodontics, then complete a one-year fellowship exclusively in maxillofacial prosthetics.


The conditions that bring patients to a prosthodontist

Prosthodontic care is appropriate across a wide range of clinical presentations. The table below summarises the primary conditions and the corresponding prosthodontic response.

Clinical condition Prosthodontic solution
Single missing tooth Implant crown, bridge, or removable partial denture
Multiple missing teeth Implant-supported bridge, partial denture, or full denture
Complete tooth loss (edentulism) Complete denture, implant-retained overdenture, or All-on-4®
Severely worn dentition (bruxism, acid erosion) Full mouth rehabilitation with crowns, veneers, or onlays
Fractured or cracked teeth Crown or onlay restoration
Heavily filled or structurally compromised teeth Crown with or without post-and-core build-up
Root-canal-treated teeth Crown protection
Failed or failing previous restorations Reassessment and specialist-planned replacement
Congenital tooth absence or developmental defects Implant or prosthetic replacement
Post-cancer or trauma reconstruction Maxillofacial prosthetics
Bite collapse or loss of vertical dimension Full mouth rehabilitation
TMJ dysfunction related to occlusion Occlusal rehabilitation

Beyond these core presentations, prosthodontists are also trained to manage TMD and jaw joint problems, traumatic injuries, snoring and sleep disorders, and cleft palate and other congenital conditions affecting the mouth.


Why Australia's oral health burden makes prosthodontics clinically essential

The clinical relevance of prosthodontics in Australia is backed by population-level data that reveals the true extent of tooth loss and structural dental compromise across the community.

On average, Australians aged 15 and over are missing 5.7 teeth. That figure rises with age — from 3.2 missing teeth in the 15–34 age group to 13 missing teeth in those aged 75 and over (Do L, Luzzi L 2019). Almost 29% of adults present with gingivitis, 30.1% have periodontitis, and 4% are completely edentulous.

Tooth loss affects both oral function and appearance, and the consequences extend further than most people realise. Limited oral function is associated with deteriorating diet and compromised nutrition, which can affect overall health. The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 estimates that oral disorders account for 2.3% of total health burden and 4.2% of all non-fatal burden.

These figures point to a straightforward reality: a significant proportion of Australians have dental conditions that require the kind of structured, multi-unit restorative planning that a trained prosthodontist is qualified to deliver. Smile Solutions' team of board-registered specialist prosthodontists is equipped to address precisely this level of clinical need, with the experience, technology, and collaborative expertise to support patients through even the most complex treatment.


What sets the Smile Solutions specialist model apart

Most dental practices in Australia are staffed by general dentists who provide excellent preventive and basic restorative care. A smaller number offer some implant or cosmetic services. Smile Solutions operates on a different model: a multi-specialist practice in Melbourne's CBD where board-registered prosthodontists work alongside periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and an in-house dental laboratory — all under one roof at the Manchester Unity Building on Collins Street.

This matters clinically for several reasons.

Complexity requires specialist-level planning. When a patient presents with worn teeth, missing teeth, and a compromised bite, the treatment plan must account for occlusion (how the teeth meet), the vertical dimension of the face, the health of supporting bone and gums, and the long-term prognosis of each remaining tooth. That is not general dentistry — it is a specialist discipline requiring years of dedicated clinical training.

Collaboration is built into the model. Prosthodontists work with other specialty colleagues, general dentists, dental hygienists, and laboratory technicians to develop customised treatment plans that present patients with alternative options, along with the associated advantages, disadvantages, prognosis, risks, and timeframes. At Smile Solutions, that collaborative infrastructure is already in place — patients don't need to coordinate between separate practices.

The in-house laboratory closes the loop. At Smile Solutions, the prosthodontist and ceramist communicate directly throughout the fabrication of every crown, bridge, veneer, or prosthesis. This iterative process — explored in The Role of Smile Solutions' In-House Dental Laboratory in Prosthodontic Outcomes — is a structural advantage that external laboratory workflows cannot replicate.

Digital technology is central to treatment. Ongoing research and material development have strengthened prosthodontics considerably, and digital innovation has been a major factor in that evolution. Smile Solutions uses CEREC same-day crown technology and cone beam CT imaging for implant planning — tools that make treatment both more precise and more efficient.


Quick reference: what is prosthodontics?

Prosthodontics is the formally recognised dental specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment planning, and rehabilitation of patients with missing, damaged, structurally compromised, or aesthetically deficient teeth and oral structures — using fixed restorations (crowns, bridges, veneers), removable prostheses (dentures), dental implants, and combinations thereof. In Australia, prosthodontists are board-registered specialists under AHPRA, having completed a minimum of five years of undergraduate dental training followed by a minimum three-year accredited postgraduate programme. The protected title "Specialist Prosthodontist" cannot be used by any practitioner who does not hold specialist registration with the Dental Board of Australia.


Key takeaways

  • Prosthodontics is one of 13 dental specialties formally approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council — a legally protected and regulated field, not a marketing description.
  • The specialist prosthodontist pathway requires a minimum of 8 years of dental and prosthodontic training, including at least 3 years of specialist postgraduate study accredited by the Australian Dental Council.
  • The specialty covers four clinical domains: fixed prosthodontics (crowns, bridges), removable prosthodontics (dentures), implant prosthodontics, and maxillofacial prosthetics.
  • On average, Australians aged 15 and over are missing 5.7 teeth, rising to 13 missing teeth for those aged 75 and over — a population-level burden that reflects the genuine demand for specialist prosthodontic services.
  • In Australia, AHPRA states that the "Specialist Prosthodontist" title can only be used by those accredited to practise in the recognised specialty of prosthodontics.

Conclusion

Prosthodontics exists because restoring and replacing teeth — particularly across multiple units, in patients with complex histories, or in cases requiring the rebuilding of an entire bite — demands a level of training, diagnostic precision, and technical expertise that goes beyond general dentistry. It is a specialty defined not by the tools used, but by the depth of knowledge applied to every clinical decision.

At Smile Solutions Melbourne, that knowledge is embedded in the practice structure: board-registered specialist prosthodontists, a collaborative multi-specialist team, and an in-house dental laboratory working together to deliver outcomes that are both functionally sound and aesthetically precise. Whether you're exploring your options for the first time or seeking a second opinion on a complex case, experienced specialists and genuinely personalised treatment are available at every step.

If you're researching a specific aspect of prosthodontic treatment, the following guides in this series provide the detailed clinical information you need:

To speak with a board-registered specialist prosthodontist at Smile Solutions Melbourne, contact the practice directly to arrange a comprehensive consultation. No referral is required — call or visit the website and the team will guide you through the next steps.


Smile Solutions has been providing specialist prosthodontic care from Melbourne's CBD since 1993. Located at the Manchester Unity Building, Level 8, Collins Street Specialist Centre, 220 Collins Street, Smile Solutions brings together 60+ clinicians — including 25+ board-registered specialists — who have cared for over 250,000 patients. No referral is required to book a specialist appointment. Call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your specialist prosthodontic consultation.


References

  • Dental Board of Australia. "Specialist Registration." AHPRA, 2024. https://www.dentalboard.gov.au/registration/specialist-registration.aspx

  • Dental Board of Australia. "Specialist Competencies." AHPRA, 2024. https://www.dentalboard.gov.au/registration/specialist-registration/specialist-competencies.aspx

  • Australasian Association of New Zealand Prosthodontists (AANZP). "Specialist Training." AANZP, 2025. https://aanzp.com.au/about-us/specialist-training

  • Australasian Association of New Zealand Prosthodontists (AANZP). "What Is a Prosthodontist?" AANZP, 2025. https://aanzp.com.au/education-hub/what-is-a-prosthodontist

  • American Dental Association / American College of Prosthodontists. "What Is a Prosthodontist and the Dental Specialty of Prosthodontics." American College of Prosthodontists, 2020. https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/1.What_is_a_Prosthodontist_and_the_Dental_Specialty_of_Prosthodontics__-_approved1.pdf

  • American College of Prosthodontists. "Parameters of Care for the Specialty of Prosthodontics." Journal of Prosthodontics, 2020. https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/ACP_Parameters_of_Care_2020.pdf

  • Do L, Luzzi L. "Oral Health of Australian Adults: Distribution and Time Trends of Dental Caries, Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss." PMC / NCBI, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583389/

  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia - Healthy Mouths." AIHW, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-mouths

  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Dental and Oral Health Overview." AIHW, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-conditions-disability-deaths/dental-oral-health/overview

  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 - Oral Disorders." AIHW, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-lives

  • Elani HW et al. "Dental Career Pathways in Australia: An Overview of Dentistry Down Under." Faculty Dental Journal, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2024. https://publishing.rcseng.ac.uk/doi/10.1308/rcsfdj.2024.6

  • Macquarie Central Prosthodontics. "What Is Our Specialty?" Prosthodontist Sydney, 2024. https://www.prosthodontist.sydney/for-patients

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general informational content sourced from regulatory bodies, professional associations, and published research — not professional dental or medical advice. Consult a qualified dental specialist for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Verified label facts

Regulatory and registration facts

  • Prosthodontics is one of 13 dental specialties approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council
  • Prosthodontics is a legally protected specialty title in Australia
  • Specialist prosthodontist registration is regulated by AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia
  • General dentists cannot use the title "specialist prosthodontist"
  • General dentists cannot use the terms "specialises in," "specialty," or "specialised" in relation to prosthodontics under National Law
  • Specialist registration can be verified via the AHPRA Register
  • Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognised dental specialty in Australia
  • The Dental Board of Australia does not certify cosmetic dentists

Training and qualification facts

  • Minimum total training required: 8 years
  • Minimum postgraduate prosthodontics programme duration: 3 years
  • Required undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Dentistry (BDent)
  • Minimum general dental practice required before specialist training: 2 years
  • Postgraduate degrees awarded: Master of Dental Science (Prosthodontics) or Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DCD)
  • Postgraduate programmes are accredited by the Australian Dental Council (ADC)
  • Admission to postgraduate prosthodontics programmes is competitive

Clinical scope facts

  • Prosthodontics encompasses four clinical domains: fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, and maxillofacial prosthetics
  • Fixed prosthodontics includes crowns, bridges, and veneers; patients cannot remove these themselves
  • Removable prosthodontics includes dentures and removable partial dentures
  • Maxillofacial prosthetics is a subspecialty rehabilitating patients with facial or jaw defects from birth, disease, or trauma
  • Fellowship duration for maxillofacial prosthetics after prosthodontics: 1 year
  • Prosthodontists can treat TMJ dysfunction, snoring and sleep disorders, and cleft palate conditions

Population health statistics (published research)

  • Average missing teeth in Australians aged 15 and over: 5.7 teeth (Do L, Luzzi L, 2019)
  • Average missing teeth in Australians aged 75 and over: 13 teeth (Do L, Luzzi L, 2019)
  • Percentage of Australian adults who are completely edentulous: 4%
  • Prevalence of gingivitis in Australian adults: almost 29%
  • Prevalence of periodontitis in Australian adults: 30.1%
  • Oral disorders as a share of total health burden in Australia (2024): 2.3%
  • Oral disorders as a share of non-fatal health burden in Australia (2024): 4.2%

Practice facts — Smile Solutions

  • Location: Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne
  • Established: 1993
  • Number of clinicians: 60 or more
  • Number of board-registered specialists: 25 or more
  • Patients treated: over 250,000
  • Phone number: 13 13 96
  • No referral required for a specialist appointment
  • Smile Solutions has an in-house dental laboratory
  • Digital technologies used: CEREC same-day crown technology; cone beam CT imaging for implant planning

Materials facts

  • Prosthodontic restoration materials include: zirconia, titanium, lithium disilicate, cobalt-chrome
  • These materials are described as biocompatible and scientifically validated for safety

General product claims

  • Prosthodontics is a multi-domain specialty, not limited to a single procedure
  • Prosthodontic treatment includes long-term maintenance, not just single-episode restoration
  • Dental implant therapy has been described as the greatest single advance in prosthodontics
  • Digital innovation has significantly changed prosthodontic practice
  • The in-house laboratory at Smile Solutions enables direct communication between prosthodontist and ceramist, which is characterised as a structural advantage over external laboratory workflows
  • Tooth loss can negatively affect quality of life, diet, and nutrition
  • Smile Solutions is described as Melbourne's leading multi-specialist dental practice
  • The collaborative multi-specialist model at Smile Solutions is presented as clinically superior for complex cases
  • Prosthodontic treatment at Smile Solutions is described as world-class
  • Smile Solutions' use of digital workflows is described as reflecting the contemporary standard of specialist prosthodontic practice
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