Specialist Prosthodontist
BDSc. (Melb), DCD Pros (Melb), MRACDS Pros
Dr. Dinusha Goonawardhana is a highly experienced Specialist Prosthodontist with over 20 years of private clinical practice in Melbourne. Board-registered with AHPRA, Dr. Dinusha earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Melbourne before embarking on a successful career in private practice. She later pursued a postgraduate Doctorate degree in Prosthodontics, again at the University of Melbourne to further hone her expertise in the field.
Dr. Dinusha started her early years in a small Victorian country town of Kyabram and grew up there before moving to Melbourne to study dentistry. She is an active member of numerous prestigious professional Organisations, including the Academy of Australian and New Zealand Prosthodontists, the International College of Prosthodontists, the International Team for Implantology, the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, the Australian Prosthodontic Society, and the Australian Dental Association - both federal and local.
A sought-after lecturer both locally and internationally, Dr. Dinusha has contributed to the field with published research on implants in the European Journal of Prosthodontics. In addition to her teaching and research, she has held leadership roles such as President of the ADAVB Peninsula Group and Secretary of the ADAVB Inner East Group. She is also part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee for ADAVB.
Dr. Dinusha is passionate about advancing the field of prosthodontics and frequently lectures and attends advisory meetings for dental companies specialising in dental materials, further enhancing her knowledge and influence in the industry.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Dinusha enjoys traveling the world with her husband and son, as well as spending time outdoors with her two very energetic Australian Shepherds.
A prosthodontist in Australia is a dental specialist who focuses on the restoration and replacement of teeth. This includes designing and fitting dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Prosthodontists are trained to address complex dental issues involving missing or damaged teeth, ensuring both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
To become a prosthodontist in Australia, a dentist must first complete a dental degree and then undertake additional postgraduate study in prosthodontics, typically earning a Master's degree or equivalent qualification. These specialists are recognised by The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) and the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
Prosthodontists deal with patients who require extensive dental work due to issues like tooth loss, congenital defects, or the effects of aging, and they often work with other dental professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans. Prosthodontists focus primarily on restorative and prosthetic dentistry. This includes creating crowns, bridges, dentures, dental implants, and veneers to replace or restore damaged or missing teeth. They often handle complex cases involving tooth loss, congenital defects, or severe damage due to trauma or disease. Prosthodontists are experts in managing complex cases that require multiple treatments, such as full mouth rehabilitation or dental implant cases. They can create customised solutions for patients with extensive tooth loss or those requiring full restorations.
Why should I see a prosthodontist?
A patient should consider seeing a prosthodontist in situations where they need specialised care for complex dental issues involving tooth loss, significant damage, or restoration. Here are some reasons why a patient might seek out a prosthodontist:
1. Complex Restorative Needs:
If a patient has extensive tooth loss, severe damage to their teeth, or needs a complete smile makeover, a prosthodontist has the advanced training to handle such complex cases. Prosthodontists are experts in full-mouth rehabilitations, which may involve restoring multiple teeth or replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures, or implants.
2. Advanced Training in Prosthetics:
Prosthodontists are specifically trained in creating and fitting dental prosthetics like crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants. They have a deep understanding of how to design custom solutions to ensure both function and aesthetics are restored. General dentists may perform these procedures as well, but prosthodontists have more specialised expertise in cases that require advanced or custom prosthetic work.
3. Dental Implants and Complex Restorations:
If a patient is considering dental implants or needs complex implant-supported restorations, prosthodontists are often the best choice. They have the specialised knowledge to plan and restore implants effectively, especially in cases involving multiple implants or full-arch restorations. Prosthodontists work closely with oral surgeons and periodontists to ensure proper implant placement and provide expertise in restoring implants once they're placed.
4. Managing Severe Tooth Damage or Wear:
For patients experiencing significant tooth wear, cracked teeth, or severe decay, prosthodontists have the skills to restore teeth to their original shape, size, and function. This includes creating durable and natural-looking restorations that can address functional issues such as bite alignment, chewing efficiency, and speech.
5. Cosmetic Considerations:
When a patient is seeking cosmetic improvements to their smile, such as veneers, crowns, or bridgework that must match the natural teeth closely, a prosthodontist can provide high-level expertise. They focus on not only the function of the teeth but also their appearance, ensuring a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing result.
6. Customised Treatment Plans for Complex Cases:
Prosthodontists are skilled in creating customised treatment plans for patients with intricate dental problems, such as those who have lost multiple teeth, those with bite problems, or those needing a combination of treatments. They take a more comprehensive and holistic approach to dental restoration, often involving a team of other dental specialists (like periodontists, endodontists and oral surgeons) to address various aspects of a patient's oral health.
7. Rehabilitation After Trauma or Illness:
Patients who have undergone trauma or treatment for diseases like cancer, which may require the removal of teeth or the reconstruction of parts of the mouth, can benefit from a prosthodontist's expertise. Prosthodontists specialise in rehabilitating patients after significant dental or facial trauma.
8. Long-Term Care and Follow-Up:
Since prosthodontists specialise in long-term restorations (e.g. full mouth reconstructions or complex prosthetics) they offer ongoing care to ensure that restorations remain functional and aesthetically pleasing over time. They also have a deep understanding of how dental work interacts with overall oral health in the long run.
Appointment by request