# Prosthodontists

US SOC code 29-1024. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-1024

Also called: Prosthetic dentist, Dental prosthodontist, Implant prosthodontist, Maxillofacial prosthodontist, Board-certified prosthodontist.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **870** US prosthodontists, with median pay of **$311,180** a year. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://www.academyofprosthodontics.org/about/History/) of **200** from 1947, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for prosthodontists: Digital intraoral scanning and open-platform CAD, 2010 to 2022. Digital impression scanning reduced chair time per case by eliminating tray preparation, impression material mixing, and post-impression handling.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1024&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **9.1%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35.

## Prosthodontists employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1918
- Latest US employment: 870 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [4]
- Latest US median pay: $311,180 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [7]
- Outlook: +5.8% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [25]

### All 26 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1947 | 200 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Academy of Prosthodontics History [1] |
| 1960 | n/a | $18,000 (estimate) | Est., University of Missouri Libraries [5] |
| 1970 | 800 (estimate) | n/a | Est., American College of Prosthodontists [2] |
| 1990 | n/a | $95,000 (estimate) | Est., ADA Health Policy Institute [6] |
| 2000 | 2,800 (estimate) | n/a | Est., ACP Survey of Prosthodontists (2017 and… [3] |
| 2004 | 730 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2004 [4] |
| 2005 | 560 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2005 [4] |
| 2006 | 480 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2006 [4] |
| 2007 | 380 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2007 [4] |
| 2008 | 370 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2008 [4] |
| 2009 | 660 | $111,110 | BLS OEWS May 2009 [4] |
| 2010 | 670 | $118,400 | BLS OEWS May 2010 [4] |
| 2011 | 560 | $109,300 | BLS OEWS May 2011 [4] |
| 2012 | 310 | $169,130 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [4] |
| 2013 | 290 | $91,260 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [4] |
| 2014 | 630 | $100,280 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [4] |
| 2015 | 710 | $119,740 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [4] |
| 2016 | 750 | $126,050 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [4] |
| 2017 | 430 | $185,150 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [4] |
| 2018 | 380 | $176,540 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [4] |
| 2019 | 490 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2019 [4] |
| 2020 | 530 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2020 [4] |
| 2021 | 790 | $100,950 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [4] |
| 2023 | 570 | $234,000 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [4] |
| 2024 | 760 | n/a | BLS OEWS May 2024 [4] |
| 2025 | 870 | $311,180 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [4] |

## Sources (78)

### Employment series

1. [Academy of Prosthodontics History — specialty founding and American Board of Prosthodontics incorporated February 21, 1947](https://www.academyofprosthodontics.org/about/History/), Academy of Prosthodontics
2. [American College of Prosthodontists — About the ACP (founded 1970; specialty workforce context)](https://www.gotoapro.org/about-acp/), American College of Prosthodontists
3. [ACP Survey of Prosthodontists (2017 and trends since 2001) — Nash and Benting, Journal of Prosthodontics 2018 (workforce trend data)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29896897/), American College of Prosthodontists / Journal of Prosthodontics
4. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

5. [University of Missouri Libraries — Prices and Wages by Decade: 1960-1969 (BLS dental and medical professional income surveys)](https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/pricesandwages/1960-1969), University of Missouri Libraries / BLS historical sources
6. [ADA Health Policy Institute — Dentist Income and Productivity surveys (historical specialist income context); ACP Survey of Prosthodontists (trends since 2001)](https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute), American Dental Association Health Policy Institute
7. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Tool eras

8. [History of Dentures — historyofdentistry.net (artisanal materials: ivory, human and animal teeth, gold wire frameworks)](https://www.historyofdentistry.net/dentistry-history/history-of-dentures/), History of Dentistry
9. [University of Toronto Libraries — Denture Material Developments: ivory, animal and human teeth, gold wire (pre-vulcanite era)](https://exhibits.library.utoronto.ca/exhibits/show/history-dentures/dental-prosthesis-in-the-amer/denture-material-developments), University of Toronto Libraries
10. [PMC10147566 — A brief history of the development and use of vulcanised rubber in dentistry (British Dental Journal 2023)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10147566/), British Dental Journal / PMC
11. [History of Dentures — Polident: vulcanite replaced ivory as dominant denture base material; mass-produced porcelain teeth from 1820s onward](https://www.polident.com/en-us/full-dentures/denture-care/the-history-and-evolution-of-dentures/), Polident
12. [Advanced Dental Export — What Makes PFM Crowns a Historically Reliable Choice: Abraham Weinstein invention late 1950s; widespread clinical adoption early 1960s](https://advancedentalexport.com/blog/pfm-crowns-gold-standard/), Advanced Dental Export
13. [Adam Brown DDS — History of Dental Crowns: PFM introduced late 1950s, became standard early 1960s; dominated restorative dentistry for 40+ years](https://adambrowndds.com/the-history-of-dental-crowns-from-gold-to-porcelain/), Adam Brown DDS
14. [PMC11568825 — The Per-Ingvar Branemark Era (1929-2014): first human implant 1965; Toronto Conference 1983 as global turning point; prosthodontist George Zarb instrumental](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11568825/), PMC / International Journal of Implant Dentistry
15. [Wikipedia — Osseointegration: Branemark discovery 1952, first patient 1965, 1983 Toronto Conference as turning point for worldwide scientific acceptance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osseointegration), Wikipedia
16. [Dentalcompare — Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC): Mormann and Brandestini University of Zurich 1980; first patient 1985; Siemens commercial launch 1987](https://www.dentalcompare.com/Featured-Articles/2160-Chairside-Economical-Restoration-of-Esthetic-Ceramic-CEREC/), Dentalcompare
17. [Wikipedia — CAD/CAM dentistry: Duret 1970s concept; Mormann/Brandestini CEREC 1980-1987; historical development of chairside CAD/CAM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAD/CAM_dentistry), Wikipedia
18. [Keating Dental Lab — History of Zirconia in Dentistry: introduced early 2000s via CAD/CAM; transformation-toughened zirconia provided metal-like strength with tooth-colored esthetics](https://www.keatingdentallab.com/news/the-history-of-zirconia-dental-crowns/), Keating Dental Lab
19. [PMC10455074 — Clinical Applications and Mechanical Properties of CAD-CAM Materials in Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry: systematic review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10455074/), PMC / NCBI
20. [3Shape Blog — Complete introduction to intraoral scanning: 3Shape Trios launched 2010; technology replaced physical impressions in prosthodontic workflow](https://www.3shape.com/en-us/blog/digital-dentistry/complete-introduction-to-intraoral-scanning), 3Shape
21. [Exocad.com — Our Products: DentalCAD; open-platform CAD software enabling digital prosthodontic workflow across 35+ scanner integrations and 40+ printer integrations](https://exocad.com/our-products/dentalcad), Exocad
22. [PMC12906322 (2025) — Harnessing AI in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry: umbrella review; margin detection 90.6-97.4% accuracy; AI as intelligent assistants supporting clinician judgment](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12906322/), PMC / NCBI
23. [ACP Position Statement: Digital Dentistry (2025) — prosthodontists must lead digital adoption, define optimized workflows, and identify AI system strengths and weaknesses](https://www.prosthodontics.org/about-acp/position-statement-digital-dentistry-use-of-advanced-digital-technologies/), American College of Prosthodontists
24. [AI-Driven Digital Prosthodontics (Journal of Neonatal Surgery 2025) — AI-assisted full-arch: 22% reduction in procedural time, fewer complications; AI 3D printing reduced remake rate 45%](https://www.jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/2651), Journal of Neonatal Surgery

### Forecasts and exposure studies

25. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-1024 Prosthodontists (2025: 1.0 thousand; 2035: 1.1 thousand; +5.8%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1024&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
26. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-1024.00, human-rated β 0.091)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

27. [University of Toronto Libraries — Denture Material Developments: porcelain teeth patented 1791 (Duchauteau/de Chemant); US mass production from 1820s](https://exhibits.library.utoronto.ca/exhibits/show/history-dentures/dental-prosthesis-in-the-amer/denture-material-developments), University of Toronto Libraries
28. [Academy of Prosthodontics History — founded August 1918; oldest specialty organization in prosthetic dentistry](https://www.academyofprosthodontics.org/about/History/), Academy of Prosthodontics
29. [AMEDD Center of History and Heritage — Dentistry in WWII: dental officers provided 2.5M+ full or partial dentures 1942-1945; major prosthodontic rehabilitation effort](https://achh.army.mil/history/corps-dental-wwii-chapteriv-wwii/), AMEDD Center of History and Heritage
30. [ACP About the ACP — founded 1970; community of 3,800 prosthodontists; vision that everyone deserves a healthy smile](https://www.gotoapro.org/about-acp/), American College of Prosthodontists
31. [Wikipedia — Osseointegration: 1983 Toronto Conference organized by prosthodontist George Zarb; turning point for worldwide scientific acceptance of Branemark's work](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osseointegration), Wikipedia
32. [ADA Health Policy Institute — The Impact of AI on Dentistry 2025: 34% dentists using AI diagnostic tools (up from 8% in 2022); prosthodontists highest AI exposure in hospital/academic settings](https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute), American Dental Association Health Policy Institute

### Predecessors & successors

33. [ACP About the ACP — prosthodontists complete a 3-year CODA-accredited residency after dental school (DDS/DMD required as entry credential)](https://www.gotoapro.org/about-acp/), American College of Prosthodontists
34. [A Brief History of US Air Force Prosthodontics — Engelmeier (prosthodontic specialty development in military dental services post-WWII)](https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/A_Brief_History_of_Air_Force_Prosthodontics_Attachment_B.pdf), American College of Prosthodontists / US Air Force

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Prosthodontists (29-1024.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, employment data; Job Zone 5; median wage $239,200+; 900 BLS OEWS employed; +5-6% projected growth 2024-2034](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1024.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OEWS May 2025 — Prosthodontists: median annual wage ~$220,000; highest-earning dental specialists; demand driven by aging population, implant caseload growth, and full-arch rehabilitation](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes291024.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ACP Position Statement: Digital Dentistry — Use of Advanced Digital Technologies; ACP frames prosthodontists as leaders in digital dentistry who should define optimized workflows; endorses CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, surgical planning, and chairside digital systems](https://www.prosthodontics.org/about-acp/position-statement-digital-dentistry-use-of-advanced-digital-technologies/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC12906322 (2025) — Harnessing AI in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry: umbrella review; preparation margin detection 90.6-97.4% accuracy; implant system identification ~95.6%; edentulous site detection 96% mandible; AI functions as intelligent assistant not replacement](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12906322/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC11806298 (2025) — Comparison of AI-Powered Software in Crown Design (In Vitro): 3Shape Automate and Imagoworks Dentbird Crown required ~146s vs. ~584s for novice operators; AI efficient but experienced technicians outperformed on distal surfaces; hybrid AI-draft + expert-review protocol recommended](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806298/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Planmeca Romexis 7 (2025, IDS Cologne) — AI-powered implant proposal in 9 seconds; automatic CBCT tooth segmentation and nerve canal detection; CBCT-intraoral scan fusion; Smile Design with facial feature detection; integration with Pearl Second Opinion](https://www.planmeca.com/dental-software/planmeca-romexis/ai-tools-for-dentistry/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Exocad DentalCAD 3.3 Chemnitz AI Crown Design (2025) — single crown proposals in under 2 minutes; All-on-X bar design with instant segmented anatomic bars; AI adjusts to user-defined preparation margin; all standard tools available post-generation](https://exocad.com/our-products/dentalcad), accessed 2026-05-24
- [3Shape Dental System 2025 / AI Automate — crown, inlay, onlay, bridge design proposals (up to 4-unit cemented); AI bite alignment in seconds; AI margin line detection in copy denture workflow; all proposals fully editable; PR Newswire February 2026](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3shape-boosts-dental-lab-speed-and-accuracy-with-ai-powered-workflows-302692618.html), accessed 2026-05-24
- [SprintRay 2025 Digital Dentistry — AI-integrated 3D printing; Cloud Design AI + on-demand designers; RayWare Cloud automated file preparation; Crown HT for Midas reduces multi-surface restoration time 90-120 min to 30-40 min; 15% of US dental practices have 3D printer; Ivoclar-SprintRay digital denture partnership](https://sprintray.com/2025-a-year-of-breakthroughs-in-digital-dentistry/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [AI-Driven Digital Prosthodontics (Journal of Neonatal Surgery 2025) — AI-assisted group showed 22% reduction in procedural time and fewer post-operative complications vs. conventional full-arch workflow; AI 3D printing reduced remake rate by 45%](https://www.jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/2651), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ADA Health Policy Institute — "The Impact of AI on Dentistry" 2025: 34% of dentists using AI diagnostic tools (up from 8% in 2022); prosthodontists in hospital/academic settings highest AI tool exposure; AI as clinical decision support not autonomous diagnosis](https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.