When you visit Hoyos & Pinto Dentistry, you benefit from something most dental offices can't offer: the expertise of both a general dentist and a board-eligible prosthodontist under one roof. But you may be wondering — what exactly is a prosthodontist, and why does it matter for your care?
The Short Answer:
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist with advanced training in restoring and replacing teeth. If general dentistry is the foundation of oral health, prosthodontics is the specialty dedicated to rebuilding it — beautifully, functionally, and durably — when teeth are damaged, missing, or severely compromised.
Becoming a prosthodontist requires years of education beyond dental school. After completing a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, a prosthodontist must complete an additional three-year residency program at an ADA-accredited institution — one of only nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
During that residency, prosthodontists receive intensive, hands-on training in:
Dr. Dan Pinto completed his DDS, Master's in Oral Science, and Certificate in Prosthodontics — all from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. This advanced training means that when your case is complex, you don't need a referral to a specialist across town. He's already here.
Prosthodontists are often described as the "architects" of dental restoration. They are trained to see the full picture of your oral health — not just one tooth, but how everything works together: your bite, your jaw, your facial structure, and your long-term function.
Missing teeth (one or many)
Single implants, implant bridges, full-arch restorations (AO4, ZB6)
Severely worn or damaged teeth
Full-mouth reconstruction, crowns, onlays
A failing or broken-down dentition
Comprehensive prosthodontic rehabilitation
Bite problems or TMJ issues
Occlusal analysis and bite restoration
Complex aesthetic concerns
Veneers, smile design, ceramic restorations
Dentures that fit poorly
Implant-supported or new custom dentures
Need for a full-mouth makeover
Treatment planning and staged rehabilitation
Having a general dentist and a prosthodontist practicing together is genuinely rare — and it's one of the things that sets Hoyos & Pinto Dentistry apart. Dr. Stephanie Hoyos brings deep expertise in preventive, restorative, and family dentistry, while Dr. Dan Pinto brings the specialist-level knowledge of a prosthodontist. Together, they can manage virtually any case without sending you elsewhere.
"If you have a complicated treatment plan, have a lot of missing or broken teeth, or have highly aesthetic concerns, you should choose a prosthodontist." — American Dental Association
At Hoyos & Pinto, you get that specialist-level care in the same comfortable, familiar office where you come for your cleanings and checkups. Whether your needs are simple or complex, you're in the right place.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your dental goals with Dr. Hoyos and Dr. Pinto.
