Prosthodontists

29-1024.00 Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation Needed

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), Dental Science Dr (Dental Science Doctor), Denturist, Maxillofacial Prosthetics Dentist, Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, Oral Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, Prosthetic Dentist, Prosthodontist, ...

Annual Salary

$208,000+

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$232,000 25th – 75th percentile $208K+
10th percentile $97,370
90th percentile $208,000+
U.S. Employment: 760

Job Outlook

+4.5%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency

What You'd Do

  • Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
  • Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
  • 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.
  • Repair, reline, or rebase dentures.
  • Restore function and aesthetics to traumatic injury survivors, or to individuals with diseases or congenital disabilities.
  • Use bonding technology on the surface of the teeth to change tooth shape or to close gaps.
  • Treat facial pain and jaw joint problems.
  • Place veneers onto teeth to conceal defects.
  • Bleach discolored teeth to brighten and whiten them.

Top Skills

Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.8
Reading Comprehension 3.6
Monitoring 3.6
Social Perceptiveness 3.6
Writing 3.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Medicine and Dentistry 5.0
Customer and Personal Service 4.1
Administration and Management 3.4
English Language 3.3
Biology 3.2
Education and Training 3.1
Psychology 3.0
Personnel and Human Resources 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Post-Doctoral
61%
Doctoral
36.1%
Certificate
2.9%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Apple iOS Henry Schein Dentrix

Other Tools

Consult-PRO Henry Schein DentalVision Professional Henry Schein Easy Dental Image management software Kea Software impDAT Kodak Dental Systems Kodak PRACTICEWORKS Practice management software PMS Materialise Dental SimPLANT Materialise Dental SurgiGuide Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft Perio charting software Planet DDS Denticon Practice-Web Dental

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Attention to Detail
2.5
Dependability
2.5
Cautiousness
2.2
Integrity
2.2
Achievement Orientation
2.1
Empathy
2.1
Intellectual Curiosity

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Near Vision 4.1
Problem Sensitivity 4.1
Oral Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0
Inductive Reasoning 4.0
Finger Dexterity 3.9
Written Comprehension 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Assisting and Caring for Others 4.7
Documenting/Recording Information 4.7
Getting Information 4.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.6
Thinking Creatively 4.6
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Physical Proximity
5.0
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
5.0
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
5.0
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
5.0
Freedom to Make Decisions
5.0
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.9
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
4.9
Contact With Others
4.8
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.8
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.7
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.7
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7

Related Careers

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$47K
Emergency Medicine Physicians
$208K+
Medical Appliance Technicians
$47K
Orthotists and Prosthetists
$78K
Anesthesiologists
$208K+
Cardiologists
$208K+
Surgical Assistants
$60K
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
$208K+
Optometrists
$135K
Dental Laboratory Technicians
$48K

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.