Dentist
Diagnose and treat problems with teeth, gums and the mouth.
- $170,950
- 8 years after high school
Healthcare career
Prosthodontist
Also called: Restorative Dental Specialist · Implant Prosthodontist · Denture Specialist · Cosmetic Dental Specialist
What prosthodontists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a prosthodontist do?
Prosthodontists are dental specialists who restore and replace damaged or missing teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implant-supported prostheses. The median pay is $311,180 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 11 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +5.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$311,180$149.61/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.8%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year0Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train11 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs1,000Employment, 2025
What prosthodontists do
Prosthodontists rebuild smiles and function. They plan complex restorations, design and place crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures, restore dental implants, treat bite problems, and help patients after cancer, trauma or birth defects. They often lead teams with oral surgeons and dental labs.
Prosthodontists complete dental school and a three-year accredited residency. The specialty is small but well paid.
Typical duties
- Plan complex restorations
- Place crowns, bridges and veneers
- Design dentures
- Restore dental implants
- Treat bite and jaw problems
- Work with dental labs
- Restore function after trauma or cancer
Work environment and schedule
Prosthodontists work in private practices, universities and hospitals.
Schedule: Most work full-time during regular business hours.
A day in the life
- Plan a full-mouth rehabilitation.
- Prepare teeth for veneers.
- Deliver implant-supported dentures.
- Review a lab case with technicians.
See a full day in the life of a prosthodontist →
Prosthodontist salary
Half of prosthodontists earned more than $311,180 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $103,510 for the lowest 10% to $344,750 for the top 10%.
Full prosthodontist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a prosthodontist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
- Complete dental school
- Complete residency
- Earn board certification
- Practice
A DDS or DMD degree plus a three-year accredited prosthodontics residency is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a prosthodontist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Fixed prosthodontics
- Removable prosthodontics
- Implant restoration
- Occlusion
- Digital dentistry
People skills
- Artistic eye
- Precision
- Communication
- Patience
All prosthodontist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high pay
- Life-changing results
- Regular hours
- Artistic, technical work
Cons
- Long training
- Complex, lengthy cases
- Costly treatments for patients
- Small specialty
Certifications and licenses
- American Board of Prosthodontics certification: Board certification.
- State dental license: Required.
- Specialty license: In some states.
- Implant training: Advanced courses.
Career path
- Prosthodontic Resident: Train.
- Prosthodontist: Practice.
- Practice Owner: Run a practice.
- Faculty: Teach.
Learn the job before day one
Our Prosthodontist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as match a crown shade and plan a full-mouth rehabilitation, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Dental Lab Technician
Make crowns, bridges and dentures that restore smiles.
- $49,610
- 1–2 years
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Perform surgery on the mouth, jaws and face, from wisdom teeth to reconstruction.
- $352,220
- 12–14 years after high school
Orthodontist
Straighten teeth and correct bites with braces and aligners.
- $289,140
- 10–11 years after high school
Compare: Prosthodontist vs. Dentist · Prosthodontist vs. Dental Lab Tech · Prosthodontist vs. Oral Surgeon · Prosthodontist vs. Orthodontist
Prosthodontist FAQ
What does a prosthodontist do?
Restores and replaces teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
How long is training?
Dental school plus a three-year residency.
Is it a small specialty?
Yes, about a thousand prosthodontists are employed nationally, per BLS.
How much does a prosthodontist make?
The median annual wage for prosthodontists was $311,180 ($149.61 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $103,510 and the highest 10% earned more than $344,750.
How long does it take to become a prosthodontist?
Most people need about 11 years after high school of training. A DDS or DMD degree plus a three-year accredited prosthodontics residency is required.
Do you need a degree to be a prosthodontist?
Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
More prosthodontist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1024 (Prosthodontists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Prosthodontists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.