Why Should You Choose a Prosthodontist for Your Smile Makeover?
When patients come to me for a smile makeover, they've usually done some research on the procedures they want. However, many of them haven't thought about their dentist's credentials.
After more than 40 years of practicing as a prosthodontist in Boston, I've seen firsthand what happens when complex cosmetic and restorative work is planned without the right foundation: results that look beautiful in the short term but don't hold up, restorations that don't account for how the bite fits together, or treatments that address one problem but create another.
Prosthodontic experience and credentials make a difference in your results. Here's why a prosthodontist is the right choice for your smile makeover in Boston, and how I stand apart from the rest.
Understanding Your Options
Not All Dentists Are the Same
When most people search for a dentist, they're not thinking about specialties. But smile makeovers involve multiple treatments, restorations, and potentially a significant change to how your teeth look and function. So the type of dentist you choose matters quite a bit. Here's a quick breakdown of what each title actually means:
General Dentist
A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. They handle routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, and basic restorations, and they're the right person to see for the everyday health of your teeth. Many offer some cosmetic services as well, though cosmetic dentistry is not their recognized specialty.
Cosmetic Dentist
A cosmetic dentist focuses on the appearance of your smile, such as the color, shape, size, and overall look of your teeth. Common cosmetic services include whitening, veneers, and bonding. The work is primarily visual, and for patients with minor aesthetic concerns and healthy teeth, a cosmetic dentist can deliver beautiful results.
Restorative Dentist
Restorative dentistry refers to the work of repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth with services like fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants. Most dentists perform some restorative work, but the complexity of what they take on varies significantly by training and experience.
The Specialist
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed dental school, followed by an additional three years of postgraduate residency training accredited by the American Dental Association. This training is focused on the restoration and replacement of teeth and covers complex restorations, full mouth reconstruction, implants, bite mechanics, and the relationship between aesthetics and function in ways that general dental training simply doesn't address at the same depth.
I completed that training because I wanted to understand how to make teeth and restorations look beautiful, work together, and hold up for decades. When a smile makeover involves veneers, crowns, implants, or any combination of restorations, you're asking someone to design something that has to function under the pressures of biting, chewing, and daily life while also looking completely natural. That's exactly what prosthodontic training prepared me for. It's also why the American College of Prosthodontists, of which I'm a member, recommends seeing a prosthodontist for complex cosmetic and restorative work like smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction.
My Qualifications
My Training & Credentials: What They Mean for You
DMD, Boston University
I earned my dental degree from Boston University, which has one of the most respected dental programs in the country. I founded my practice in 1985.
Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Membership in this national dental honor society is granted by peers and faculty. It recognizes graduates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and professional character.
American Dental Association
The ADA sets the ethical and clinical standards for dentistry in the United States. My active membership reflects my ongoing commitment to those standards.
Massachusetts Dental Society
This state constituent of the ADA keeps me connected to continuing education courses and professional standards relevant to my patients in Boston.
American College of Prosthodontists
The ACP is the premier association for prosthodontists with advanced specialty training. I'm the former president of the American College of Prosthodontists, Massachusetts Section.
American Academy of Prosthetic Dentistry
This selective organization is focused on fostering excellence in the field of prosthodontics, implants, and cosmetic dentistry. These procedures are often at the center of smile makeovers.
International Lecturer and Published Author
I have lectured to professional societies and university groups internationally and published works on prosthodontics, implantology, cosmetics, and CAD/CAM technology.
Book With Dr. Stein
Make the Right Choice for Your Smile Makeover
Your Consultation Awaits
Boston's Premier Prosthodontist
Experience the difference that 40 years of specialized training and a world-class reputation make. Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Stein today.
Or call us at (617) 227-6076