What Is A Dental Specialist?

There are different specialties within the area of dentistry. It can be confusing to figure out which dental specialist you need to go to, especially when you aren’t aware of the different specialties that are present. This confusion can further put off the process of making the appointment. We are here to help you understand that the different specialties that exist, to help you make an informed decision.

What are the different specialties in dentistry?

Dentists also specialize in different field. For example, dentists who take care of everyday dental concerns like dental fillings and preventive care are referred to as general dentists. Dentists who straighten crooked or misaligned teeth are known as Orthodontists. Prosthodontists replace the missing teeth.

There are even dentists who specialize in biological dentistry. Biological dentistry is a holistic approach to dental care that focuses on the overall health and well-being of the patient. It focuses on prevention and the use of non-toxic materials

What are the treatments provided by a cosmetic dentist?

Cosmetic dentists received their specialization in diagnosing and treating problems which concern the facial aesthetics and smile. A cosmetic dentist has to undergo about three to four years of additional training after dental school. This extra training is what enables them to become specialists in cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and crowns, cosmetic bonding and tooth replacement with dental implants are some procedures performed by the cosmetic dentist.

The procedures performed by the cosmetic dentist has the power to transform your smile. If the teeth are stained or crooked, a cosmetic dentist can target these concerns. Some commonly requested procedures are porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding and smile makeovers.

Who are endodontists?

Irrespective of the specialization, all dentists are allowed to perform root canals. Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in root canals. Their special training allows them to diagnose and prevent the problems which could develop inside the teeth. For instance, when there is pulp tissue inside the tooth, it becomes irreversibly inflamed. The endodontist will perform root canal treatment. This will allow the removal of the inflamed pulp tissue and replace the removed tissue with an inert material.

What is the difference between an endodontist and an oral surgeon?

An endodontist treats the problems which are present in the tooth’s interiors. Whereas an oral surgeon performs surgical procedures when required. Tooth extractions, soft tissue surgeries and management of minor dental swellings are procedures that are commonly performed by an oral surgeon. Endodontists and oral surgeons are licensed dentists but with different fields of specializations.

Who is an orthodontist?

Orthodontist is a dentist who has received specialized training in treating dental concerns with regard to misalignment of teeth and haws. The procedures performed by them usually work to realign crooked teeth by using different types of braces and removable aligners. Functional appliances are also used for redirecting jaw growth in kids about to achieve puberty. These treatments performed by the orthodontist reduces the requirement for braces or aligners later in life. There are situations when it is impossible to straighten the teeth even with braces or aligners. When this happens, the orthodontist performs an orthognathic surgery. This surgery helps in the realignment of teeth and restores optimal dental functions

Who is a periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth also known as gum disease), and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in both of these areas and more, including three additional years of education beyond dental school.

While some general dentists and dental hygienists treat less serious periodontal cases, many will refer their patients to periodontists for the more challenging periodontal cases. Similarly, while some general dentists perform dental implant procedures, many will refer their patients to periodontists for the more challenging implant cases as well.

In addition to handling challenging periodontal and implant cases, periodontists also provide a variety of other specialized services. These include scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of a tooth’s root is cleaned), root surface debridement (in which damaged root tissue is removed), oral inflammation treatment, and cosmetic periodontal procedures

At PURE Dental Hygiene Care---we can offer you referrals to any of the specialties based on your needs and preferences.