Which Type of Dentist Should You Visit?
Dental care needs vary, and to address each, there are several types of dentists. Sometimes your oral health needs more than just cleaning or filling. You might have to consult a specialist or a dentist with specialized training in one or more areas. It is just like a medical doctor with additional training to qualify as a surgeon or cardiologist. If you are not sure which dentist to visit, check out the following.
Endodontist
Endodontists are specialists in root canal work. The latter are little, cavern looking passageways that have sensitive tissues, nerves and blood vessels. These dental specialists can diagnose and treat issues within teeth. Your general dentist will know when you should visit an endodontist, which is common if you need a root canal procedure, especially for infected tooth pulp.
Oral surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists in oral surgery. They are commonly known for removing impacted teeth, but they also perform reconstructive facial surgery such as when you have a cleft lip or cleft palate. They specialize in procedures that need a deeper level of sedation. They focus on the soft and hard tissues of the mouth, face, and jaw.
Orthodontist
Perhaps the most popular kind of dentist are the ones who make braces. They specialize in correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. There are conditions called under bite, overbite or cross bite that are treated by orthodontists. If you are concerned with your teeth’s alignment, you can visit one now. Aside from braces, they use clear aligners, headgear, palatal extenders, and other devices as part of the treatment.
Pediatric dentist
As the name implies, this type of specialist focuses on a child’s oral health. Aside from routine procedures such as cleaning, exams or extractions, they can do habit counselling when you want kids to stop thumb sucking. They monitor the oral development of your child and refer them to specialists when necessary.
Periodontist
A periodontist specializes in gums, dental implants, and guided bone regeneration. This field of dentistry is about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in relation to tissues that surround and support the teeth. They also maintain the health and condition of substitutes for these tissues.
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist restores and replaces broken teeth. They specialize in making crowns, implants, veneers, bridges, and dentures. You can go to a prosthodontist if you have a damaged tooth. They understand the dynamics of a smile. They will help you maintain a healthy, good looking smile by creating tooth replacements. Sometimes, they need to work with other dental practitioners such as an oral surgeon for jaw problems.
If you are unsure which dentist to consult, it is best to go to a family dentist or general practitioner first and they will refer you to the right specialist who will make the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Like other medical conditions, oral health care should be a top priority. The process of choosing a dentist is just as important as what a physician recruiter does. The right medical team should be chosen to provide the right healthcare to patients.
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