Dental specialists focus on specific areas of oral care that require specialized treatment options. Your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist to address a specific concern – in this article, we discuss the different types of dental specialists and how they can help you achieve a healthy smile.
Types of Dental Specialists
The dental industry has many specializations that dentists can focus on, each with its specific impact on your overall dental health. In some cases, a dental specialist can improve your overall health by addressing a dental problem that may have affected the rest of your body if left untreated.
Some of the types of dental specialists include:
Orthodontist
When you have a problem chewing, or you want to have straight, aligned teeth, you should visit an orthodontist. They specialize in fixing issues with teeth alignment and in many cases, use braces to achieve this.
Orthodontists do more than just “cosmetic” work. There are cases where patients have serious oral health problems because their teeth or jaw are misaligned. Orthodontists can address these issues, often without surgery, giving patients an improved quality of life.
Endodontist
If you have tooth pain, severe tooth rot, or numbness in your teeth, you may have a problem with the nerves beneath them. In that case, you go to an endodontist for help. They are the specialists who can perform procedures on the nerve tissue connected to your teeth, like root canals, to repair the nerves and stop the pain.
Prosthodontist
If you have a problem with your jawbone or want your teeth to look better, a prosthodontist can help you. They specialize in techniques involving prosthetics, like dentures and veneers. ]
Periodontist
Your gums play an important role in the overall health of your teeth. A periodontist treats health problems involving your gums, which can improve the health of your teeth as well. You may also be sent to a periodontist before having dental implants installed to make sure that your gums are healthy enough for the procedure.
General Dentists
The dentist that you see most often is a general dentist who specializes in diagnosing conditions, preventative care, and maintaining your overall oral health. In many cases, they can also treat and prevent most conditions by working with you to change your daily health practices and perform procedures like teeth cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and deep cleanings.
Oral Surgeons
Finally, if you need surgery to fix your oral health, you may be referred to an oral surgeon. They focus specifically on performing surgeries that other specialists cannot perform. These are procedures like bone grafts, removing wisdom teeth, and helping with conditions like sleep apnea.
Don’t Wait Until You Have an Advanced Problem
While dental specialists provide care for advanced conditions, they can also do preventive work. Don’t wait until you have an advanced problem before you seek help from a specialist. With their help, you can avoid many of these more advanced issues and prevent the negative impact on your health.
For example, it is possible to see an orthodontist in your early teens to start aligning your teeth before they grow misaligned. That way, you can spend less time in braces and take more proactive measures to make sure your teeth are properly aligned.
How Do I Know Which Specialist to See?
If you are interested in having a specific problem addressed, then talk to your general dentist first. A general dentist can help diagnose potential issues and refer you to the right dental specialist for help. If a condition is in the early stages of development, a general dentist may be able to treat it and reverse whatever damage has been done. Otherwise, they can send you to a specialist who has the skills and resources to perform more advanced treatments.
Contact Eriks Dental Group for Specialized Dental Care
Eriks Dental Group offers a range of specialized dental care to help you manage and improve your oral health. For decades, we have been the choice for patients needing specialized care, making significant improvements in dental health.
Contact us today at 561-733-4004 to schedule a consultation and learn what dental services we offer.