Best institutions to study Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology
A program that focuses on the advanced study of the restoration and maintenance of teeth, oral function, and aesthetic form through the use of single or compound materials, structures, and artificial devices.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 106 Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0511, a specialization of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05), and leads most directly to the Prosthodontists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1024).
About Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology programs
A program that focuses on the advanced study of the restoration and maintenance of teeth, oral function, and aesthetic form through the use of single or compound materials, structures, and artificial devices. Includes instruction in implant dentistry, surgical procedures, denture design and fabrication, fixed and removable prosthodontics, restorative techniques, occlusion therapy and devices, geriatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and tempromandibular joint dysfunction.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology program is an advanced study within the field of dentistry that focuses on the restoration and maintenance of teeth, oral function, and aesthetic form. This program is designed for dental professionals seeking to specialize in prosthodontics, utilizing various materials and artificial devices to enhance oral health and appearance.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in implant dentistry, denture design, fixed and removable prosthodontics, and restorative techniques. Coursework also covers occlusion therapy, geriatric and cosmetic dentistry, and the management of temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Credentials awarded
What Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Post-master's certificate67 graduates / yr · 15 institutions63%
- Master's degree32 graduates / yr · 8 institutions30%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.8%
Graduates over time
Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 86 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2014 | 99 |
| 2015 | 85 |
| 2016 | 88 |
| 2017 | 88 |
| 2018 | 94 |
| 2019 | 96 |
| 2020 | 77 |
| 2021 | 116 |
| 2022 | 92 |
| 2023 | 97 |
| 2024 | 95 |
| 2025 | 106 |
Top 19 institutions for Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 15 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 13 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 3 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 10 | — | — | — |
| 4 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 9 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 7 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 6 | 93% | — | — |
| 8 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster'sMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster's | 4 | 62% | — | — |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 4 | 84% | — | — |
| 12 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 4 | 84% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 15 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 17 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster's | 2 | 61% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 97% | $22,055 | $220,594 |
| 19 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 2 | 85% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field (CIP 51.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states & territories
Where Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology graduates come from. Each state links to all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 2 | 23 | Boston University15 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York13 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 16 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston9 / yr |
| California | 2 | 16 | Loma Linda University10 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 6 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor6 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 5 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | University of Illinois Chicago4 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick4 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 3 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities3 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | Nova Southeastern University2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | University of Louisville2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | University of Pennsylvania2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1024, Prosthodontists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology program typically pursue careers as prosthodontists, with an average annual wage of $239,200. The job outlook for this profession is projected to grow by 4.5%, indicating a stable demand for skilled professionals in the field, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Career pathways for CIP 51.0511
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prosthodontistsprimary SOC 29-1024 | $311,180 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~0 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Examine patients to diagnose oral health conditions and diseases.
- Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications.
- Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures.
- Measure and take impressions of patients' jaws and teeth to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses, using face bows, dental articulators, recording devices, and other materials.
- Collaborate with general dentists, specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
- Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians and laboratory bench workers who construct the devices.
Tools and technology used
Other Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences specializations
The 14 other 6-digit CIP codes under Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05).
- Dental Clinical SciencesCIP 51.0501419 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Orthodontics/CIP 51.0508
Orthodontology 332 graduates / yr40 institutions - Advanced General DentistryCIP 51.0502248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial PathologyCIP 51.0503201 graduates / yr20 institutions
- Endodontics/CIP 51.0506
Endodontology 161 graduates / yr30 institutions - Pediatric Dentistry/CIP 51.0509
Pedodontics 156 graduates / yr22 institutions - Periodontics/CIP 51.0510
Periodontology 150 graduates / yr28 institutions - Advanced/CIP 51.0599
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences 138 graduates / yr11 institutions - Dental Public Health and EducationCIP 51.050488 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Oral/CIP 51.0507
Maxillofacial Surgery 39 graduates / yr12 institutions - Dental MaterialsCIP 51.0505limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Implantology/CIP 51.0514
Implant Dentistry limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Digital Dentistry51.0512
- Geriatric Dentistry51.0513
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a post-master's certificate, master's degree, or a doctoral degree in Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and science, along with practical skills in dental procedures.
What are the primary tasks of a prosthodontist?+
Prosthodontists examine patients, fit prostheses, replace missing teeth, and collaborate with other dental professionals.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 19 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology program.
What is the CIP code for Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology?+
Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology is CIP 51.0511 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the advanced study of the restoration and maintenance of teeth, oral function, and aesthetic form through the use of single or compound materials, structures, and artificial devices. Includes instruction in implant dentistry, surgical procedures, denture design and fabrication, fixed and removable prosthodontics, restorative techniques, occlusion therapy and devices, geriatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and tempromandibular joint dysfunction.
How many institutions offer Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states & territories, awarding 106 credentials in the year. That is 5.2% of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates.
How much do Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Prosthodontists occupation, which Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology most directly leads to, pays a median of $311,180 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field report median earnings of $220,594 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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