Are you aware that there are different types of dentists? Just like medical doctors who can choose their own area of specialization dentists can also opt to undergo additional years of training and further their education to become dental specialists. Before anything else we want to make one thing clear, all dental specialists are dentists but not all dentists are specialists. Knowing the different types of dental specialization is important so you will know who to see if you want to have your teeth and/or gums treated. See more information at www.philly-dentist.com
What are the different types of dentists? Let’s find out.
General Dentist
A general dentist is the first person you should see when it comes to concerns about your dental health. They provide preventive services by teaching you how to properly care for your teeth and gums to prevent diseases, offer professional teeth cleanings and provide regular dental exams. Aside from preventive dental services, a general dentist also offers restorative services such as the placement of filling in a decayed tooth and tooth replacement procedures for missing teeth. They also offer root canal therapy, bridgework and dentures.
Endodontist
If the inside of your tooth has become infected your general dentist will refer you to an endodontist. Endodontists are dental health specialists who are trained to diagnose and treat tooth pain that concerns the interior chamber of your tooth. Inside your tooth are canals that houses nerves, pulp and blood vessels. When this gets infected, your endodontist will perform a root canal therapy to stop the spread of infection.
Orthodontist
When your problems involve an uneven bite (overbite, crossbite, underbite) as a result of a misaligned jaw, crooked and overcrowded teeth the best person to treat you is an orthodontist. Orthodontists are specially trained to install orthodontic devices such as clear aligners, braces, headgears and palatal expanders to correct your dental problem. Orthodontists cater to both young and old.
Pediatric Dentist
As parents, you take your child to a pediatrician if he or she gets sick but how about if your child experiences teeth and gum problems? As you may have guessed, the best person to treat children’s dental health problems and address their needs is a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist is trained to meet and address the needs of children starting from infancy until their adolescent and teenager years. They are familiar with the development of children’s teeth and bones and they know what treatments are needed to achieve optimum dental health. Pediatric dentists have special tools and instruments that come in tiny sizes to fit your child’s mouth. This is important to ensure that all areas of their mouth are inspected carefully.
Periodontist
Another dental health specialist we all should know about is a periodontist. A periodontist is a dental specialist whose areas of expertise are focused on preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases of the gums and other structures surrounding your teeth. These dental health specialists are experts in detecting gum diseases especially during the early stage, which is very important because when gum disease is caught early it can still be reversed. They also provide minor surgeries such as pocket reduction and gum grafts to treat advanced gum disease and to improve your smile. Periodontists are also trained to provide dental implant services.
So you see, when it comes to dental health problems, you don’t just go see a dentist. There are other dental health professionals who are more skilled and more knowledgeable to give you the best dental care specific to your need. However, you should not discount the advice of the American Dental Association to see a general dentist once every six months.
