Difference Between Prosthodontist and Orthodontist

Dentists are medical professionals with extensive training in oral health, covering everything related to the teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue. Within general dentistry, several specialists focus on more complex needs—two of the most commonly confused being orthodontists and prosthodontists in Pembroke Pines. While both graduate from dental school and then spend an additional three to five years training in their chosen specialty, the type of care they provide is quite different.  

What Is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist specializes in replacing and restoring damaged, missing, or complex dental and facial structures. Their work centers on rebuilding both function and appearance after tooth loss, injury, or disease. Common services include:

• Replacing missing teeth with bridges, crowns, caps, or complete dentures
• Restoring damaged teeth using bonding, veneers, or crowns
• Placing and restoring dental implants (single-tooth or full-arch)
• Rebuilding smiles with a combination of crowns, implants, bridges, veneers, and dentures
• Reconstructive treatment for issues stemming from TMJ disorders, cleft palate, cancer, or other jaw conditions
• Support for sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders

Missing teeth affect far more than appearance—they can make it difficult to eat and speak, and often take a toll on self-esteem. Patients who have lost teeth to injury (such as a sports accident or car crash) or to gum disease are frequent candidates for prosthodontic care, with dental implants offering a durable, long-term solution.

What Is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses, treats, and prevents misalignment of the teeth and jaws. Rather than replacing missing structures, orthodontists focus on repositioning what’s already there—straightening crooked teeth, correcting bites, and realigning the jaw to improve both function and appearance.

Orthodontists treat patients of all ages, though the approach often differs by age group. Teens most commonly use metal braces or clear aligners, along with devices like expansion plates or bite-correcting springs when needed. Adults often opt for lingual braces, which attach to the back of the teeth for a more discreet, durable option.

Patients typically see an orthodontist when they experience:

• Difficulty or discomfort when eating or biting
• Crowded, protruding, uneven, or crooked teeth
• An underbite or overbite
• Jaw and teeth that appear unbalanced with the rest of the face
• Mouth breathing or snoring issues
• Speech difficulties
• Gaps between teeth, crossbites, or TMJ-related jaw concerns

In more severe cases, orthodontists may also perform procedures to correct significantly misaligned jaws.

The Key Difference

In short: orthodontists focus on alignment, while prosthodontists focus on restoration. Orthodontists work to properly position the teeth and jaw you already have. Prosthodontists work to rebuild or replace missing, damaged, or otherwise needing reconstruction teeth and facial structures. Because both specialists often treat overlapping oral health issues, patients sometimes aren’t sure which one they need—but understanding this core distinction makes the choice much clearer.

What Sets an Orthodontist Apart from a Prosthodontist in Pembroke Pines?

If you’re dealing with missing teeth, damaged teeth, or need reconstructive dental work, a prosthodontist is the right specialist for the job. Come see us today to discuss your options and get your smile—and your confidence—back on track.