Prosthodontics Naples

What Does It Take to Become a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist?

Dr. Aquino began his education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from UCLA, and this was followed by earning his DDS from the UCLA School of Dentistry.

At this point, most dentists start practicing, but Dr. Aquino was dedicated to delivering the highest quality care possible. So instead, he attended the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston to obtain his post-graduate prosthodontics certificate while getting his Master of Science at the same time.

Dr. Aquino then completed a fellowship in oral oncology and maxillofacial prosthetics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

What Is a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist?

A maxillofacial prosthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on rebuilding and replacing the teeth with custom-made restorations. To earn this distinction, Dr. Aquino completed additional years of training and research following dental school that was solely focused on this type of care. Maxillofacial prosthodontists are often tasked with coordinating teams of oral healthcare providers and are referred to as the “quarterbacks” of dentistry, making sure the patient gets what they need effectively and efficiently.

Our Prosthodontic Treatment Options

• Dental Implants: When you’re looking for options to replace missing teeth, we offer many choices depending on your individual needs. Dental implants are a safe and proven way to restore your missing teeth without involving or compromising any adjacent teeth.
• Full Arch Implant Restoration: Dental implants can also help patients who are missing an entire row or even all of their teeth. Just four to six implants can be used to create an attractive and rock-solid denture that is much stronger than a traditional removable prosthetic.
• Bone Grafting: The success of dental implants is largely dependent on the strength of the jawbone that holds them. For patients who have experienced bone loss, we can perform a bone graft to build up the jaw where the new teeth will be located to guarantee the long-term success of treatment.
• Bridges: If you're missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in your ability to chew and speak. Bridges are a great option to help restore your smile.
• Dental Crowns: A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over the tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
• Dentures: Gum disease, injury, and tooth decay can all cause a loss of your natural teeth. However, we can bring back the smile on your face with dentures to restore your missing teeth.
• Veneers: Veneers are thin, custom shells made from tooth-colored materials such as porcelain designed to cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a great option for patients wanting to make adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
• Fillings: A filling is often used to repair a tooth that is affected by wear, decay, cracks, or fractures. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling, which can be made up of many different materials.
• TMJ Treatment: Chronic stress, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or an uneven bite can cause an imbalance in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint, which enables your lower jaw to move. Our dental team near South Naples can discover the source of this dysfunction and treat it directly to provide relief from persistent facial pain, stiffness, and headaches/migraines.
• Oral Pathology: Aquino’s oncological experience gives him unique expertise in finding and identifying a wide variety of oral diseases so that patients can receive treatment at the earliest possible stages.
• Wisdom Teeth: The third set of molars that usually come in around the late teens or early 20s, our team can remove them if they show signs of impaction (become stuck) or cause pain, infection, or other symptoms that can negatively affect oral health.