I have been qualified as a general dentist since 1995. After realising my passion for prosthodontics, I decided to study further and thereafter obtained my Master's degree in Prosthodontics at the University of Witwatersrand in 2006. Since 2006, I have been practising as a Prosthodontist in private practice and lectured at several tertiary institutions. I have been actively involved in training and teaching students at reputable Dental Universities.
I have taught and trained both undergraduate (dentist) as well as postgraduate (prosthodontist) students at all three of Gauteng's prestigious Dental Universities-the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo at the Medunsa Campus.
My prosthodontics practice is situated in Bedfordview, at the Bedfordview Shopping Centre. The dental practice is an associate practice with a general dental practitioner. The practice is well-positioned to offer you comprehensive dental treatment.
My passion lies in the treatment of patients for fixed Prosthodontics, Implants, and Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry.
After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Dentistry at the University of Witwatersrand as a prosthodontist, I studied further to achieve my Masters in Prosthodontics. This means that a person who has trained an extra number of years can obtain a Masters degree in Dentistry, specifically, a Master's Degree in Prosthodontics. The HPCSA currently offers five specialities, and prosthodontics is one of the specialities offered by a university as a Masters degree.
A person qualified as a Prosthodontist would be well trained to treat all problems related to the mouth, especially for oral rehabilitation. The word "prostho" means to replace with an artificial appliance, the word "dontic" means "of the teeth", and a "prosthodontist" is a person that is knowledgeable about the replacement of a missing tooth or missing teeth structures.
A prosthodontist is also skilled in the replacement sometimes of other oral structures or parts of the face.
A prosthodontist would first study your mouth, especially study the dynamics of your bite or occlusion, and formulate treatment plan options to completely rehabilitate your mouth to a functional state of form and aesthetics. This also includes the continued maintenance of your mouth for oral function.
Therefore, a prosthodontist would be well trained to provide treatment with regards to Cosmetic Dentistry, Aesthetic Dentistry, Implant Dentistry, or Restorative Dentistry.
In order to completely treat you with a fully functional stomatognathic system, a prosthodontist works very closely with other dental specialists, namely a Periodontist, Orthodontist, and Maxillofacial Surgeon.
You are most likely to see a prosthodontist after you have been to your General Dental practitioner. The General dental practitioner or dentist would most likely recommend you to come see a prosthodontist after diagnosing certain aspects of your mouth that may be too difficult for the dentist to treat.
If the dentist finds that your oral condition requires a complete rehabilitation with regards to proper function again, you are more likely to come to see a prosthodontist. So, if you have lost the ability to function with regards to masticating or eating properly, speaking properly, or are not happy with the way your teeth look, complete rehab of your mouth would be advisable. This complete rehabilitation would fall under the leadership of a prosthodontist.
A term most commonly used is a Complete mouth Makeover or Teeth Makeover. If you think that you need a complete makeover for your mouth, it would be advisable to come and see a prosthodontist first.
One need not see a prosthodontist without a referral letter from your local dentist. If you are unhappy with your teeth in general, it is possible to make an appointment with me even if you have no referral letter.
