What Is a Prosthodontist, Really?
Isn’t that just a fancy word for a dentist who does crowns?
Not quite. It’s a recognized specialty requiring three additional years of training beyond dental school, focused specifically on restoring and replacing teeth, from a single crown to a full-mouth reconstruction.
Do I need a referral to see one?
No. Dr. Leora Walter, a surgically trained prosthodontist, sees patients directly.
What actually changes with a prosthodontist versus a general dentist?
Planning. A crown, an implant, and a bite adjustment aren’t treated as three separate decisions. They’re planned as one case, by one person, from diagnosis through the final result.
We’re a direct trip from Morningside Heights, one stop on the 1 train from 116th Street–Columbia University to 59th Street–Columbus Circle, about 15 minutes, no transfer.
Restorative Services
- Crowns & bridges. Restores damaged teeth or replaces missing teeth anchored to adjacent teeth.
- Dentures & partials. Removable options for replacing some or all of your teeth.
- Implants. Planned, placed, and restored by Dr. Walter herself.
- Full-mouth reconstruction. A coordinated rebuild when multiple issues need addressing together. Learn more.
- Worn teeth & bite problems. Including TMJ/TMD-related concerns.
Planned, Not Pieced Together
Restorative dentistry often goes wrong when it’s handled piecemeal, treating a crown here and an implant there, each decided in isolation. Because Dr. Walter plans restorative cases as a prosthodontist, your treatment is built around how the pieces work together: how a new crown affects your bite, how an implant interacts with the rest of your arch, how a full-mouth plan sequences over time. You see the same doctor for the diagnosis, the plan, and the execution.
What Affects the Cost
A single crown is priced differently than a multi-tooth plan or full-mouth reconstruction. What you’re quoted depends on the number of teeth involved, the materials used, and whether implant surgery is part of the case. We’re fee-for-service and out-of-network with all plans, so you’ll get a written, itemized estimate before treatment begins, and we prepare your claim for out-of-network reimbursement.
Talk to a Prosthodontist Directly
Every cleaning includes a free fluoride treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be referred out for implant surgery?
No. Dr. Walter is surgically trained and places implants herself, then restores them too.
What does insurance cover?
We’re fee-for-service and out-of-network; we give an itemized estimate and prepare your claim for reimbursement.
What is full-mouth reconstruction and when is it needed?
Full-mouth reconstruction rebuilds a bite affected by extensive wear, damage, or multiple missing teeth, when several teeth need attention rather than just one.
Can a prosthodontist help with jaw pain or bite problems?
Yes. Dr. Walter evaluates worn teeth and bite misalignment as part of restorative planning, including TMJ/TMD-related concerns.
Are you accepting new patients from Morningside Heights?
Yes, including Columbia and Barnard-area residents, one direct stop on the 1 train from 116th Street–Columbia University to our Central Park West office.
Related Pages
Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Laser Dentistry, Emergency Dentist, or the prosthodontics overview and Morningside Heights hub page.
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Suite 4
New York, NY 10023