When considering the best ways to maintain oral health, general dentists and dental specialists are integral to healthy teeth and gums. Regular dental exams and biannual teeth cleanings help keep your teeth looking and feeling their best. Dental technology allows dental specialists to offer specialized oral care that your general dentist cannot do alone.
While a general dentist can identify many oral health problems and offer different dental services. In some instances, a dental specialist’s expertise is needed. This occurs in complex and advanced procedures like root canal therapy. At Eriks Dental Group, our Boynton Beach dental office specializes in different oral specialties.
When Should I See a Specialist?
When it comes to oral health maintenance, dental specialists and general dentists both play a crucial role. Sometimes all you need is a visit with your general dentist, but sometimes you may require more specialized dental care. Deciding to see one over the other depends on the treatment type, required procedure, and complexity of the dental work.
Dental specialists have specialized knowledge and skill sets for different dentistry areas, giving you, as a patient, superior dental care. A general dentist is more suited to do basic dental care and deliver dental services or procedures that don’t require certain skills. They often consult with each other to determine which treatment plan will benefit each patient best.
Types of Dental Specialists
There are twelve different dental specialties, according to the American Dental Association. Here is a list of the most common types:
Endodontics
Endo, the Greek word for inside, and odont, the Greek word for tooth, form this specialty name. This dentistry branch focuses on the pulp and connective tissue. These root canal specialists treat dead, infected, or inflamed nerves of a tooth, which can lead to pain.
Their goal is to save as many teeth as they can. Advanced dental technology is used to see accurately inside the tooth and allows them to treat their teeth comfortably. When working to save a tooth, an endodontist helps the patient keep their natural smile. If you need a root canal, you’ll work with an endodontist.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics refers to the placement or removal of braces on either children or adults to straighten the teeth. Orthodontists are responsible for correcting misalignments or malocclusion where the teeth in the upper and lower jaws don’t align well with a closed mouth. A bad bite wears out the teeth or can even cause them to break. If you have a poor bite, an orthodontist can help treat you.
Periodontics
Periodontics refers to the peri, or around the tooth. This dental specialty handles the gums, the bones supporting them, and the tissues, which help support the teeth fully. When a patient experiences bone loss around a tooth or teeth, the tooth is no longer supported well, which may lead to it being lost completely.
A periodontist deep cleans the teeth and the gums surrounding them. Next, they treat the diseased areas of the mouth. Their goal is to save teeth, which can be done by reducing excess gums, leveling out existing gums, adding gum or bone grafting where the bone is needed or where there isn’t tissue, or extracting teeth that have no hope for survival. For patients with periodontal disease, receding gums, or bone loss, you’ll need to work with a periodontist.
Prosthodontics
These dental specialists make replacement teeth or prostheses, either removable or non-removable, for patients missing some or all of their natural teeth. These include bridges, crowns, and partial or full dentures. They can also make special dentures for those who may have lost a portion of their jawbone whether from a birth defect or even cancer. For those with missing teeth, a prosthodontist can help.
Benefits of Working With Dental Specialists For Your Oral Health
A multi-specialty dental office allows you and your family to receive dental care at the same location. This is just one of the many benefits of choosing a dental office that has dental specialists on staff. In addition to this convenience, a team of dental specialists practicing at the same dental office has many benefits, including:
A Comprehensive Team Approach to Dental Care
While a dental exam and teeth cleaning might be all you need, there are other times when more extensive dental work is necessary. Our in-house specialists save you time from traveling to a different office and transferring your records. Our multi-specialist dental team works together to ensure your oral health is always at its best.
Wide Range of Talents
Dental specialists often work together on difficult dental cases. Sometimes different dental work can’t be done until oral surgery is performed. Having a multi-specialist dental practice allows them to consult one another and share their expertise while determining the best approach to your dental problem.
Dental Services For The Whole Family
When choosing a dental practice with multiple specialists, allows you to schedule multiple appointments on the same day for all of your family members. Let’s face it, we all live busy lives and this helps make ensuring your family’s oral health is at its best much easier.
Choose a Boynton Beach Florida, Dental Office That Is Committed To Your Oral Health Needs
At Eriks Dental Group, we have a group of dental specialists on our dental team. We are always ready to help you and your family with everything we need for our dental health. Our years of experience make us the best choice for dental care in and around Boynton Beach.
Whether you’re looking for a routine dental exam, teeth cleaning, or more specialized care from dental specialists, our dental team can help. Call our team today to schedule an appointment at 561-733-4004.