Over the decades, dentistry has branched out into several specialties just like medicine. Knowing what these dental specialities are called and what they deal with is general information that everyone should know. It helps us to make more informed and effective decisions when trying to find the right kind of dentist for fast relief. Let’s get to know a few of the most important specialties in dentistry next.
Orthodontics
Orthodontists specialise in diagnosing, fixing, and treating all dental malocclusions (crooked teeth), including overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, overcrowding, diastema, and hypodontia among others. Dentofacial orthodontists can also help in correcting misaligned jawbones and improve facial asymmetry.
Therefore, patients with crooked teeth and/or oral asymmetry can directly consult with an orthodontist to discuss their condition and possible avenues of solution. Try to get treated at comprehensive dental care facilities like this orthodontics Enfield clinic as they have the staff and the equipment needed to check, test, diagnose, and treat all types of misalignments in one place.
Periodontics
Periodontists are specialists who diagnose and treat all kinds of gum disease. This includes but is not limited to gingivitis, periodontitis, receding gums, and bone loss (due to periodontitis). If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis, it’s best not to wait around for too long before seeing a periodontist. Untreated or mistreated gingivitis will eventually turn into periodontitis, which is a very severe form of gum disease that can lead to gum tissue and jawbone loss.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly skilled and trained oral health specialists who perform facial reconstruction surgeries, orthognathic surgeries, cleft lip and palate corrective surgeries, and other, complex oral and maxillofacial procedures. In most cases, maxillofacial surgeons are recommended by another dental professional because the procedures which they specialise in can only be performed by them. Maxillofacial surgeons will often work closely with prosthodontists, in case the patient needs artificial, custom implants for the surgery to be successful.
Prosthodontics
Patients suffering from hypodontia, aka loss of tooth, will eventually need to visit a prosthodontist. As the name suggests, prosthodontists are experts in preparing, installing, maintaining, and replacing dental prosthetics. Almost all dentists will need to work with a prosthodontist at some point, as they specialise in dental implants, bridges, veneers, crowns, dentures, impressions, casts, restorations, and even maxillofacial prosthetics.
Endodontics
Endodontists are most commonly known for their proficiency in performing root canals, as their expertise is exclusively focussed on issues related to the dental pulp. Dental pulp is the root system that starts from inside the tooth and connects it to the gum and the jawbone. Endodontists may also be consulted if anyone or multiple of your teeth has become hypersensitive and painful.
There are other divisions and subdivisions in dentistry as well, but you don’t really need to worry too much about them. If necessary, you will be recommended to the appropriate specialist by whichever dental professional is currently treating you. However, you might be able to save time and money by directly visiting the correct professional in all of the above instances.
