10 Types of Dental Specialists: Get to Know Your Dental Care Team

Dental care is among the primary ways of improving your health. You can do this by visiting a dentist for dental exams, periodical whitening, or cleaning, among other healthcare procedures. Several issues, including hereditary conditions, accidents, and dental problems, can affect your teeth immensely. However, individuals lack insights on what type of dentist would be best suited for their oral health issues. Palisades Dental – American Fork Dentist offers insights into multiple categories of dentists that can attend to your dental problems. 

1. General Dentist

A general density is a primary dental care provider who has experience in various aspects of dentistry. They include;

• Examination and diagnosis of dental conditions
• Treatment and care
• Management of client’s overall dental health

A general dentist offers several oral health services to clients. Some of these services are;

• Non-metal filings
• Root canal surgeries
• Periodontal care
• Crowns and bridges
• Offering preventive education for oral care

1. Periodontist

A certified periodontist diagnosis treats and represses an array of dental ailments affecting gums and jawbones. They specialize in examination and treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis by performing procedures including;

• Pocketing cleaning
• Bone and soft tissues grafting
• Crown lengthening procedures
• Gingival or flap procedures
• Placement of dental implants
• Recontouring and removal of soft tissue

1. Endodontist

An Endodontist’s responsibilities include diagnosing, treating, and preventing various injuries and infections affecting tooth nerve or dental pulp. They perform simple to elaborate dental procedures, including restorative dentistry. 

1. Orthodontist

This dental healthcare physician specializes in diagnosing, intercepting, and treating malocclusions, also known as bad bites. If you are seeking to transform your smile through specific dental procedures such as teeth alignment, you can visit an orthodontist. An orthodontist uses specialized equipment such as bands to straighten misaligned teeth and jaws. Common specialized equipment that orthodontist use include;

• Specialized bands
• Wires
• Braces and Invisalign

1. Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist is a dental care provider that focuses on natural restorative dentistry and large-scale replacement of teeth than a general dentist. A prosthodontist can use artificial teeth, also called dentures or caps, to replace missing teeth. Clients whose teeth have been extracted through dental procedures can also get teeth replacement. Prosthodontists can also handle and rehabilitate other problems such as neck and head deformities, artificial replacement of missing parts of the jaw or face. 

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist

An Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist is a healthcare care officer whose primary role is taking and interpreting radiography processes such as x-rays. They send the collected data to relevant dental care physicians who will, in turn, use it in the diagnosis and management of an array of oral conditions. Such conditions may be affecting maxillofacial and oral parts, including the face, jaws, and mouth. 

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

An Oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a highly trained dental healthcare physician that performs vast operational procedures in areas such as the face, jaw, and mouth. They specialize in offering reconstructive surgery and dental implants for clients with facial injuries. Individuals with tumors, cysts, and other jaw masses also benefit from reconstructive surgery. 

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons undergo extra training of up to eight years after exiting a dental school. They perform several dental procedures such as;

• Tooth extractions
• Soft tissues biopsies
• Complex jaw alignment surgeries
• Implant positioning
• Repairing of fractured jaw bone or cheek
• Removal of tumors from the oral cavity

1. Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)

Pediatric Dentists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s dental issues. Your child’s pediatric dentist will identify and deal with the developing child’s dental problems, including decay, crookedness, crowding, falling teeth, and several other dental issues. Pediatric dentists recommend that parents schedule a dental appointment for their kids as soon as teeth grow. 

It’s worth knowing that pediatric dentists receive an additional two years of intense training after completing medical school. The specific training that they receive focuses on the delicate nature of children’s dental issues and how to handle them. 

1. Dental Hygienists

An oral hygienist treats and prevents oral conditions. Typical dental responsibilities of an oral hygienist include cleaning the mouth, checking for possible oral health conditions, and providing preventive dental care. Dental hygienists do regular dental checkups and cleaning. 

1. Dental Assistant

A dental assistant is an invaluable dental team member who provides care to patients during dental processes. They are integral components of dental rooms. Their everyday duties include assisting with dental fillings, placement of implants, and extractions, among others. A team approach is a crucial aspect of successful dentistry. Palisades Dental provides comprehensive dental care through close collaboration of dental team members.