11 Different types of Dentists
11 Different types of Dentists
Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. However, there are dentists you can consult other than your general dentist who have undergone special training and concentrate in specific branches of dentistry. The dentist you visit should match with what dental requirements you possess.
How do you know which dentist is right for you?
This blog will help you in learning about all the different types of dentists, what they do and whom you should consult to address your concerns.
What are the various types of dentists?
1. General Dentist
General dentists are your first contact for routine dental care and basic oral health needs. They diagnose and treat the overall health of your mouth, including gums, teeth and general area around it. They handle regular issues like tooth decay, gum disease, fillings, cleanings and minor procedures that may be required to maintain your oral hygiene.
If you need specialized dental attention or a complex procedure, they will refer you to a dental specialist who focuses on specific areas such as orthodontics (braces), endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum diseases) or other specialties. General dentists also discuss with patients about how to improve their lifestyle habits related to dental care so they can have good oral health overall.
A General dentist is the one who looks after all aspects of your basic dental requirements including:
- 1. Exams for diagnosing problems with teeth and gums
- X-rays needed for finding out hidden problems
- Cleaning needed every six months
- Filings required when there is cavity in the tooth.
- Root canal therapy is necessary if the nerve inside the tooth gets infected or inflamed.
- Procedures like extractions which means removing an entire tooth
If there are any complicated matters needing specialist attention beyond what this normal dentist does best at handling themselves alone – then he/she would make sure that patient sees another expert who has more experience dealing specifically with those kinds of things.”
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Gum care
- Root canals
- Fillings
- Crowns & bridges
- Dental veneers
- Preventive care
2. Orthodontist
A dentist who focuses on braces and other dental devices. Orthodontists are the ones who study, stop and cure misalignment of teeth and nearby structures.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Installation of braces, bands, wires and other tools to straighten teeth
- Treating crowded, missing, misaligned or extra teeth
- Correcting misaligned jaws
3. Cosmetic Dentist
A dentist who focuses on cosmetics is skilled in enhancing how a patient looks, helping them gain more self-confidence. They typically deal with procedures that restore dental functions and improve their appearance.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Dental veneers
- Bonding
- Teeth whitening
- Fillings
- Crowns, onlays and inlays
- Implants and bridges
4. Endodontist
A dentist specialist who identifies, stops and heals illnesses and harm to the inside tooth tissue and nerves in teeth.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Root canals
- Other types of surgical procedures dealing with the inner tooth pulp
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist
A dental radiologist is a doctor who takes and studies X-ray pictures of the mouth, face and jaw area. They are experts in diagnosing problems within the face region.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- MRI scan
- PET scan
- Ultrasound scan
- Cone beam CT
- Multislice CT
6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dental specialist that performs surgery in and around the face, mouth and jaw.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Reconstructive surgery
- Dental implants
- Tumor and cyst treatment of the face
- Tooth extractions
- Biopsies
- Jaw realignment
- Fractured cheek or jaw bone repair
- Soft tissue repair
7. Oral Medicine
A specific area of dentistry that deals with patients having complex medical conditions is termed as oral medicine. This field combines the practice of providing oral health care with the skill to diagnose and treat different illnesses.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Diagnosis and management of oral diseases:
- Periodontal gum disease
- Oral cancer
- Oral infectious diseases
- Assesses complex medical patients before open-heart surgery or cancer therapy
Oral Pathologist
8. Oral Pathologist
An oral pathologist is an expert who examines the main reasons behind diseases that damage teeth, lips, cheeks, jaws and areas around face and neck.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Diagnosis of biopsies or tissue samples sent by other dental providers
9.Pediatric Dentist/Pedodontist
Dentists for children, also called pediatric dentists, have special knowledge in taking care of kids’ oral health. They are good at handling teeth that are still growing and they learn how to meet the requirements of children.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Dental cleaning
- Tooth colored fillings
- Crowns
- Cavities
- Extractions
10. Periodontist
A periodontist is a specialist who detects, stops and cures diseases in oral tissues. This pertains to the gums and other supportive structures of natural or artificial teeth.
Common Procedures & Treatments:
- Treats gingivitis, also known as periodontitis
- Deep pocket cleanings
- Root planing
- Crowns
- Soft tissue and bone grafting
- Gingival procedures
- Recontouring
- Implants
11. Prosthodontist
Prosthodontists, more than a general dentist, fix damaged natural teeth and make replacements for missing ones.
Common Procedures & Treatments
- Dentures
- Caps
- Crowns and bridges
- Implants
We know that figuring out which type of dentist to go to can be overwhelming, especially after this long list.
Why go through all that trouble when we have experts who can help you out?
Visit Berkers Family Dentistry and get your oral health back on track today!
About us
We are your neighborhood friendly dentists focused on serving your beautiful smile and all things related to it!
Our practice is well equipped to perform routine dental examinations as well as cosmetic, diagnostic, endodontic and periodontic services.
If you are interested in getting to know some common dental procedures then you can read our previous blog.
Get in touch with us to know more!
FAQ
What is the highest type of dentist?
The dental specialty that pays the most is oral and maxillofacial surgery. Surgeons dealing with oral and maxillofacial matters handle numerous conditions. Frequently observed situations involve TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues as well as jaw misalignment, severe gum and teeth decay, cleft palates along with cleft lips plus removals of wisdom tooth.
Who are the 4 main members of the dental team?
The dental care team is made up of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians and community dental health coordinators. These healthcare professionals work together to solve oral health issues and influence other conditions in a person’s body.
What is the hardest dental specialty?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery involves intricate surgical treatments for fixing injuries, faults and diseases located in the head, neck, face, jaws as well as oral cavity. The training is comprehensive and needs knowledge in dentistry and medicine both.
What is the lowest paid dental specialty?
Among the five types of dental specialists (oral surgeons, endodontists, orthodontists, periodontists and pediatric dentists), it is oral surgeons who always earn the most. In contrast to this, periodontists are the ones who consistently earn less than other dental specialists.
