Dental specialties are a very important part of dentistry. They focus on certain areas to help patients achieve the best oral health. There are many different types of dental specialists, so it can be difficult to know which one you need or what their role is in your treatment.
If you suffer from any type of mouth pain, missing teeth, or have experienced trauma that has caused damage to your mouth, then you should contact a dental specialist. There are many different types of specialists, but all specialize in helping patients achieve the best oral health possible.
What are the Different Types of Dental Specialties?
Here are the most common types of dental specialties, what they do, and why you should consult them. They are:
- Pedodontics
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Periodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Prosthodontist
Pedodontics/Children’s Dentist
Pedodontics are pediatric dentists that specialize in dental care for infants, children, and adolescents. Infants and children have special needs when it comes to dental care, and pediatric dentists have specialized training in providing this kind of care.
You should consult them if your child has any issues such as cavities (early), tooth decay if they are experiencing pain in their mouth, if they have a jaw or facial deformity that is preventing them from eating properly, etc.
Orthodontics/Alignment Specialist
Orthodontics specializes in teeth that do not fit together properly or otherwise affect the bite and how it functions. For example, if you have an overbite (the top front of your teeth overlap too much with the bottom front of your teeth) or an underbite (the top and bottom teeth don’t overlap enough to close properly), you need orthodontic treatment.
In addition to this, they also help with crowding or protrusion of the teeth. They can also recommend patients for braces and other cosmetic procedures to enhance their oral health as well as improve appearance.
Endodontics/Dental Pulp Specialist
Root Canal Treatment is a procedure performed by an Endodontist who specializes in root canal treatment and dental pulp treatments. These specialists focus on the health and survival of the patient’s teeth by removing dead tissue from inside their root canals.
Periodontics/Gum Specialist
Gum disease is a condition that affects three out of four adults in America, so it should come as no surprise to learn that there are dental specialists who have focused on this problem throughout their careers. Periodontists are experts in gum disease and treating it, and they also provide special treatments such as bone grafting and implant placement.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon/Oral Surgery
Dental specialists who focus on the surgery are also extremely important for this field, and oral surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons not only perform surgeries that may be needed to correct problems with the face or jaw but can also help patients by performing reconstructive procedures. They are able to replace missing teeth with titanium implants as well as do cosmetic reconstruction of jaws, facial bones, and more.
Prosthodontist/Restoration Specialists
Prosthodontists are another type of dental specialist that focuses on more than just teeth. They are able to replace missing teeth with bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures as well as do cosmetic procedures such as crowns, implants, and veneers.
Other Subspecialties in the Field of Oral Health
General Dentists
General dentists are dentists who focus on the general care and health of teeth. They may do cleanings, X-rays, check-ups, or other dental procedures to help maintain tooth and gum health.
Geriatric Dentists
Geriatric dentists focus on the oral health of older people, providing them with a better quality of life by keeping their teeth and gums healthy.
Dental Hygienist
The main job of dental hygienists is to clean teeth by removing plaque that can cause tooth decay or gum disease. They are trained in taking X-rays, charting cavities using full mouth x-rays as well as educating patients on how they should care for their teeth and gums.
Dental Anesthesiologist
Dental anesthesiologists work in the field of dentistry and are specially trained to administer local or oral sedation. They can also provide IV sedation when necessary, which helps patients who have a higher level of anxiety about going to the dentist.
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist
These specialists focus on x-rays of the head, neck, and face. They are trained to read dental x-rays as well as perform ultrasounds when necessary. These specialists diagnose conditions such as tumors or cysts in these areas using different imaging tools.
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants support and assist the dentist. They may do cleanings, X-rays, check-ups, or other dental procedures to help maintain tooth and gum health.
Dental Public Health
Dental public health is a dental specialty that focuses on the promotion of healthy teeth and gums for all people. They focus on preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
Contact our Stamford dental clinic today for more information about our various treatment programs. We offer teeth whitening, dental implant repairs, Invisalign, braces, veneers, crowns, and much more.