A Dentist and His Specialties

A dentist with a specialty is a dental professional who focuses on a field of dentistry instead of the general course. There are several of these fields for him or her to focus on and these can be very specific at times while others are somewhat interconnected with each other. Other fields are so specific that the specialists are rare and difficult to find.

Pediatric Dentistry

This branch of dentistry focuses mainly on the diagnosis, treatment and service of a child's oral cavity health and well-being. The dentist who specializes in this field may need to undergo specific training aimed at making him or her experts in it. Practitioners who deal with oral health care of kids often guide and advice parents regarding the general maintenance of their offspring's oral cavity.

Even babies who do not have their pearly whites yet may be brought to the pedodontist for an early examination. Some babies may be born with anomalies in their gums, jaws and generally, their mouths, which require visits to the specialist. As the child grows older, the specialist may need to refer her or him to another specialist for orthodontic needs.

Those who specialize in pediatric dentistry may be required to finish an additional two or three years on top of the general dentistry course in dental school. These years focus on the conditions, diseases and training that is necessary to deal with kids.

Orthodontics

This specialty focuses mainly on correcting malocclusions. Malocclusions are anomalies in a person's bite which may negatively affect the function of the jaws and teeth. The dentist who focuses on this field often uses appliances and other equipment to correct the anomalies. Some of these practitioners even specialize in more specific orthodontics that services the reconstruction of the facial and cranial aspects of the individual.

Those who wish to focus on this field needs to pass additional examinations and tests which are all about orthodontics. Although this specialization is more commonly aimed at children, there are also adults who benefit from it. Additional studies are also necessary for the dentist who wishes to make this his specialization. These studies may take a few years to finish on top of the general dentistry course. There are also exams and tests which he or she will need to pass in order to practice.

Periodontics

Periodontics is the specialized study of the supporting structures of our pearly whites. The periodontist is the practitioner who specializes on the diagnoses and treatment of the conditions and health of these parts. The gums, the bones and the ligaments that make up most of the periodontium are all included in this study.

The dentist who focuses on these parts usually treats adults who may be suffering from conditions that deface the supporting structures of the teeth. The most common cause of the conditions that occur in these structures is the buildup of bacterial plaque in the teeth. Just like the other subjects of specialization, the dental practitioner needs additional studies in order to be recognized as a specialist.