Types of Specialist Doctors in Dentistry
We usually think of a dentist who simply fixes any problems on your teeth. But did you know that the field of Dentistry is way deeper than what we expected? For example, a dental surgeon from Campbelltown does more than just fixing dental caries or extracting the patient’s tooth. This article will give you different types of specialist doctors in Dentistry.
General Dentist
Commonly referred to as family dentist, this oral health provider does the basic dental procedures which prioritize on preventive oral care. Such procedures include oral cleaning, oral x-ray and providing health teachings on how to properly maintain healthy oral cavity.
A general dentist can also perform restorative oral procedures such as tooth filling on dental caries, repair of cracked teeth and some also perform teeth whitening. While it’s usually the general dentist whom a patient sees during the first visit, this oral health provider is also the professional who provides referrals to dental specialists.
Orthodontist
Among all types of specialist doctors in Dentistry, perhaps it’s the orthodontist considered the most popular since a lot of aesthetic-purpose procedures are performed by this professional. The scope of orthodontists goes beyond installing braces. They are also responsible for correcting jaw bone problems, misaligned teeth and other cases related to giving support to facial structures for functional and cosmetic purposes.
Before installing braces, orthodontists must first assess and plan how to improve the patient’s bite. Afterward, they need to design customized oral hardware devices like metallic braces, mouth guards, retainers and Invisalign.
Periodontist
There’s only word to remember when talking about periodontists – gums. The role of the periodontist is to prevent any problems related to the patient’s gums. Any gum treatment is most of the time implemented by this dental health professional. Since this field is quite broad, periodontists often advise general dentist to provide prevention and treatment methods that are strongly connected to the patients’ lifestyle.
Prosthodontist
This oral health provider’s main responsibility is to treat missing, decayed or damaged teeth. Treatment involves on designing oral prostheses that would appear as false teeth but make sure it would look natural.
Prosthodontists work both on cosmetic and functional purposes. They work closely with dental lab technicians who actually create the prostheses designed by the prosthodontist.
Endodontist
Deep beneath the enamel and the dentin is a sensitive part of the tooth, known as the pulp. It is a soft tissue and the main part focused by the endodontist. Repairing a damaged pulp varies on its severity. If the damage is reversible, the tooth will be kept alive. Otherwise, the endodontist will perform a procedure known as root canal therapy, the most common procedure done by this dental professional.
There are other types of specialist doctors also recognized in the field dentistry. There is a specialist in oral radiology, oral pathology and there’s also a dentist who focuses on pediatric dentistry.
As always, always seek a general dentist in Bundaberg at Harris Dental Boutique clinic first prior to visiting a specialist. It’s usually the family dentist who gives the first diagnoses and provides a referral to a specialist along with documents and findings on the patient’s oral cavity.
