A definition of prosthetic dentistry

A more precise and up-to-date definition of prosthetic dentistry is warranted. The aim of the present review is to present a new core definition of the discipline on the basis of a discussion of existing definitions.

Clinical textbooks in prosthetic dentistry and dental implantology, as well as medical and dental glossaries were reviewed.

Two main categories of definitions of prosthetic dentistry were identified: first, definitions that emphasized the technologic aspects of the discipline, i.e., the fabrication of prostheses; and second, definitions that incorporated some reference to the objectives or aims of prosthetic treatment, i.e., the restoration of one or more aspects of oral function. Slightly more than half of the citations contained such aim-related references, and this aspect tended to be most pronounced in recent publications.

The following definition is ventured: prosthodontics is the discipline of dentistry concerned with the consequences of congenital absence or acquired loss of oral tissues and with the methods for and assessment whether more good than harm is done by inserting artificial devices made from alloplastic materials.