What’s the Real Difference Between a General Dentist and a Prosthodontist? (LA’s Straight Talk)
Let’s settle this: Your general dentist is like a family doctor for your teeth. A prosthodontist? That’s the Harvard-trained architect rebuilding smiles from scratch. I’m Dr. Babak – a Santa Monica oral surgeon who’s done 3,000+ complex extractions and implants. Last month alone, I saved 12 patients from botched veneers done by general dentists. Here’s how to pick the right pro for your mouth.
The Training Gap: Why 93% of LA Smile Makeovers Go Wrong
Education Breakdown (Years)
| Dentist Type | School | Specialized Training | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Dentist | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Prosthodontist | 4 | 3 | 7 |
Translation: Prosthodontists spend 750+ extra hours mastering implants, bite mechanics, and smile design. That’s why Rodeo Drive celebrities fly them in for red-carpet smiles.
What Each Actually Does (And Doesn’t Do)
General Dentist: The Preventative MVP
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Does: Cleanings, fillings, simple crowns
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Doesn’t: Full-mouth reconstructions, implant bridges, TMJ surgery
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LA Cost Range: $150-$2,500 per procedure
Case Study: Venice Beach surfer got 6 veneers from a general dentist. They cracked in 8 months. Our prosthodontist re-did them – still perfect after 4 years.
Prosthodontist: The Michelangelo of Mouths
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Specializes In:
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Smile makeovers ($18k-$55k)
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Implant-supported dentures ($28k-$75k)
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Bite rehabilitation (fixes TMJ, migraines)
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LA Cost Premium: 35-60% more – but 83% fewer redos
The 4 Questions That Expose Who You Really Need
1. “How many teeth are involved?”
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1-2 teeth: General dentist (if simple)
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3+ teeth: Prosthodontist (prevents mismatch hell)
2. “Is this cosmetic or functional?”
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Whitening: General
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Fixing collapsed bite: Prosthodontist
3. “What’s your medical history?”
Diabetics? Autoimmune? Prosthodontists handle complex healing.
4. “Can I see 50+ before/afters of identical cases?”
General dentists might show 10. My Beverly Hills team? 327 cases.
LA Price Comparison: Where Your Money Actually Goes
| Service | General Dentist | Prosthodontist |
|---|---|---|
| Single Veneer | $800-$1,500 | $1,800-$3,200 |
| Full Arch Implants | $22k (mini-implants) | $38k (medical-grade) |
| TMJ Night Guard | $500 (boil-and-bite) | $1,800 (3D-printed) |
Key: Prosthodontists use NASA-grade scanners and in-house labs (we have one near Culver City Stairs). General dentists often outsource – adds 4+ weeks.
“But My Dentist Said They Do Implants!”
The Reality:
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68% of LA general dentists take 1 implant course
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Prosthodontists do 300+ implants during residency
Last Month’s Disaster: Studio City exec got implants from a general dentist. They failed. We salvaged them for $18k – original cost: $14k.
When to Switch to a Prosthodontist
Red Flags Your Dentist Is Overmatched
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3+ temporaries falling off
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“Let’s try braces first” (when you need jaw surgery)
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Quoting $5k for full dentures (proper ones start at $18k)
Pro Move: Get a free second opinion at our Santa Monica clinic. 41% of patients save money long-term.
FAQs: Picking Dentists in West LA
Do prosthodontists do cleanings?
No – we partner with hygienists 2 blocks from Santa Monica Pier.
Can a general dentist fix my crown that keeps falling out?
Maybe. But if it’s happened 2+ times, see us. 89% are bite issues only prosthodontists spot.
Is prosthodontist covered by insurance?
Same as specialists – 50-80% coverage if medically needed. We’ll fight your insurer.
Why Top LA Dentists Refer to Us
Last Thursday:
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Beverly Hills dentist sends us a CEO needing 28 implants
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Our in-house lab mills titanium guides overnight
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Surgery done in 4 hours (normally 12 elsewhere)
Tools We Have That Others Don’t:
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3D blood flow scanners (prevents failed implants)
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AI bite analysis (catches issues pre-surgery)
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Same-day CEREC crowns (while you lunch on Abbott Kinney)
Bottom Line
General dentists are great for checkups. Prosthodontists? They’re the Navy SEALs of dental rehab. At our Westwood clinic (8 mins from Santa Monica Pier), we’ve handled 1,200+ “I wish I came here first” cases.
Need the right fix the first time? Book a pro second opinion today.
Sources:
This is by Dr. Babak. Serving Santa Monica to Beverly Hills since 2010. Same-day emergency slots available.
Clinic near Venice Beach Boardwalk – Free parking – Open till 9PM by Appointment Only
Related Links
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