Understanding the Different Forms of Dentistry

October 30, 2020

Keeping yourself in tip-top shape entails regular dental check-ups for healthier teeth and gums. As a bare minimum, it is recommended to visit your chosen dental clinic at least twice a year to monitor and treat oral health conditions. While it is true that most oral concerns are preventable, periodontal diseases and tooth decay cases are still at an astronomical level affecting more than 3 billion people all over the world.

According to the latest study from Dr Anne Beall, a social psychologist, it was found that 99.7% of the 528 respondents believe that a full smile is an essential social asset that can significantly affect the chances of succeeding in the chosen career. Fortunately, the developments brought about by the modern dentistry can now respond to our specific concerns.

To save yourself from discomfort, and maintain a confident smile, make it a point to consult with a primary dental care expert for diagnosis and suggestions regarding the type of dentistry suited to your needs. You see, there are so many more specializations in the dental field. To help you make a choice on the type of dentist for your specific concerns, here are the different forms of dentistry you might come across with during a lifetime of oral care.

How Do I Know the Type of Dentistry That I Need?

Have you ever been in a situation wherein you are unsure of the type of expert you should talk to for your specific dental needs?

For the regular oral exam, occasional fissure sealing, and oral prophylaxis needs, the go-to dental care expert of most people are general dentists. This is due to the fact that almost 80% of dental care practitioners are actually general dentists. In this sense, general dentists are best known to handle extensive ranges of dental treatments to prevent tooth decay, plaque, gum disease, and oral cancer.

But sometimes, your gums and pearly white teeth require more than standard care and procedure. Depending on the concerns and the recommendation of the general dentist, some specialized dental practitioners can fill a particular role for your oral health. For optimal dental health, we recommend that you:

1.   At the first sign of discomfort, have your teeth checked right away
2.   Consult with your general dentist for an oral exam, cleaning, and x-ray
3.   Go over the specialty procedures of each dental specialist

Cosmetic Dentist – The Dental Beauty Specialist

In the study mentioned above by Dr Beall, it was highlighted that achieving a confident and lasting smile is something that most of us are willing to invest in. It was also found that the whiteness and alignment of the teeth can play a huge role in how others perceive your overall chances of succeeding in life and career.

To put your best smile forward, you may consider booking an appointment with a cosmetic dentist. This form of dentistry mainly deals with aesthetic treatments with the primary goal of improving the overall appearance of your teeth and mouth through services like teeth whitening, smile design and dental veneers.

Endodontist- The Toothache Expert

For sharp and stabbing tooth pain, consider booking an appointment with an Endodontist. This advanced dentistry form deals with specific issues troubling the nerve endings, pulp, and the tissues surrounding the damaged tooth. Endodontist specialists mainly diagnose the causes of toothache and perform specialized procedures relating to the teeth' inner workings.

Orthodontist- The Alignment Specialist

Aside from general dentists, this is one of the most popular specializations in the field since a considerable number of people are suffering from mispositioned jaws and teeth. To smile confidently, booking an appointment with an orthodontist can significantly help solve problems concerning abnormalities on the teeth, jaw, and bite patterns.

Prosthodontist- The Restoration and Replacement Expert

It is common knowledge that as we age, our set of teeth can be damaged depending on our lifestyles. To reverse the signs of damage, prosthodontists can help perform reconstructive dentistry to make your smile more natural-looking. Their services usually include dental implants, repair of teeth and jawbones, and replacement of crowns, teeth, dentures, and veneers.

Periodontist- The Gum Disease Specialist

This highly specialized form of dentistry practically deals with gum diseases. The services of a periodontist usually include minor surgery for the treatment and repair of tissues damaged by gum diseases.

Pedodontist- The Paediatric Dental Specialist

While it is true that general dentists can accommodate most of the dental concerns, booking an appointment with a paediatric dental specialist can be a game-changer for parents. Pedodontists specialize in diagnosing and monitoring the oral development of the youth from infancy through the teenage years. This is perfect for parents who are looking to solve kid-specific issues like consistent thumb sucking.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery- The Reconstructive Expert for Facial Trauma

This dentistry form deals with complex procedures involving the anatomical areas of the mouth, face, head, and jaw. The surgeons under this type are trained to diagnose and treat problems relating to deformities such as facial tumours and cysts of the jaw, cancer in the head area, misaligned jaws, and dental implant surgeries.

Conclusion

While the internet is filled with an incredible number of DIY dental remedies for various conditions, there is no one who can help you better in staying on top of your oral health than trained professional dentists. Regardless of your age, knowing about your updated dental conditions will most likely play at your advantage. Not only will only specific dentists be able to maintain your natural smile but also prevent any possible complications in the future. Smile confidently through the years by scheduling a visit with your local oral health provider today.
 

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