Know The Dentist Specialties

In the dental community, a specialty is an area that has been formally recognized by the National Dental Association (NDA) as meeting the specified requirements for being deemed as such. These specialties are recognized in areas where advanced skills and knowledge combine in order to restore or maintain oral health. In this article we will outline a few of the basic specialties as pertaining to the community at large.

General Dentist

Perhaps the most common, a general practitioner is one that deals with various types of people of treatments. These physicians treat the old and young; from wisdom teeth to baby teeth and everything in between. Though, there are some areas in which a general dentist may recommend you see a specific specialist.

Endodontist

These types of physicians are concerned with the diagnosis and cause of diseases affecting the nerve or pulp of the tooth, or related tissues. These veins, nerves, and arteries inside the tooth help to maintain individual tooth health. The most common reason many people attend an endodontist is for a procedure called a root canal. This operation consists of removing infected tissues within the tooth, sterilizing the inside, and filling the entire cavity.

Oral Pathologist

Oral pathologists specialize in the study of diseases which alter and affect oral structures (cheeks, jaw, bones, lips, teeth) as well as certain parts of the neck and face. Patients typically will not visit the pathologist; rather a general dentist will send a biopsy or any questionable lesion or tissue.

Orthodontist

This is a specialist who moves teeth within the jaw bone in order to correct irregularities in bite or smile. Many people are sent to the orthodontist as children to correct problems as they grow. The most common method used in orthodontics is braces. In cases where problems are less severe, a removable retainer is prescribed.

Pediodontist

A pediodontist deals primarily with children. Having been trained in order to deal with the fears of children, while keeping a watchful eye on the growth patterns of children's mouths, these types of physicians are often preferred by parents whose children may be frightened by a typical dentist's office experience.