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Welcome to Southwest Dental Specialist Centre
Southwest Dental Specialist Centre is a dental specialist hub in the making. Established by local resident and dental specialist Rachael Hogen-Esch, the
goal of Southwest Dental Specialist Centre is to provide exceptional and specialised dental care to the southwest community in a comfortable and supportive environment. We aim to become a premier destination for specialised dental care in the region by expanding our team of expert practitioners. With one prosthodontist and one orthodontist currently on board, our vision is to grow the centre to include additional specialists, such as periodontists, maxillofacial surgeons, paediatric dentists, oral medicine and pathology specialists and endodontists, to provide comprehensive care for a wide range of specialist dental needs.
Specialist Dental Services
Our Dental Specialty Services
When you choose Southwest Dental Specialist Centre, you get access to the knowledge and expertise of some of Mandurah’s top dental specialists. Our services Include:
Prosthodontics
Orthodontics
New Patients
Practitioner Referral Form
FAQ
Prosthodontist
What is a prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a registered dental specialist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth. They undergo an additional 3 year doctorate degree beyond their original dental degree to specialise in the treatment planning and management of complex restorative procedures. These can include, but are not limited to crowns, veneers, implants, and dentures.
How do I know if I’m seeing a registered specialist?
All specialists in Australia have specialist dental registration. To see if your current practitioner is a registered specialist you can access the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website (www.ahpra.gov.au) and enter the provider’s name in the search function. A list of registered prosthodontists is also available on the Academy of Australian & New Zealand Prosthodontists website (www.aanzp.com.au).
Why should I see a prosthodontist?
Most dental treatment is considered ‘invasive’. This means that there is no ability to reverse the treatment and have the tooth revert to its original form. Once a tooth has been drilled into it will need a lifetime of maintenance which becomes an ongoing cost to the patient and can significantly impact the longevity of the tooth. Prosthodontists are experts in treatment planning and tooth prognosis which means that you are unlikely to waste valuable financial resources on treatments that may ultimately fail. While general dentists can perform basic restorative treatments like fillings and simple crowns, prosthodontists are trained to handle more challenging cases involving multiple missing teeth, extensive tooth damage, or complex occlusion (bite) issues.
What are prosthodontists skilled in?
- Comprehensive Treatment Planning: They assess each patient’s unique dental needs and develop customised treatment plans to restore oral function and aesthetics.
- Advanced Restorative Techniques: Prosthodontists utilise state-of-the-art materials and techniques to create durable, natural-looking dental restorations that mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth.
- Implant Dentistry: Prosthodontists are experts in dental implant planning and restoration, offering solutions for patients with missing teeth to regain full dental function and aesthetics.
- Complex Prosthetic Rehabilitation: They specialise in restoring smiles affected by congenital defects, traumatic injuries, or conditions such as dental decay, wear or gum disease.
- Collaboration with Specialists: Prosthodontists often collaborate with other dental specialists, such as maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, endodontists and orthodontists, to provide comprehensive care for patients requiring multidisciplinary treatment.
In summary, while general dentists focus on overall oral health maintenance and perform basic restorative procedures, prosthodontists specialise in complex dental restorations and replacements to improve both the function and appearance of the smile.