How many types of dentists can you name? Although everyone has visited a general dentist multiple times throughout their life, there are many more dental specialties that you may not be aware of.
Taking care of your teeth and mouth is an incredibly important task. After all, your oral health affects your confidence, quality of life, ability to talk and chew, and overall well-being. Having healthy teeth, gums, and mouth allow you to live your best life, happily and without pain.
Fortunately, there are many kinds of dental specialists dedicated to helping you do just that. In this article, we will review the nine main types of dental specialists that you may encounter (and when you should see each one). No matter your oral care issue, there is a specialist available to help.
1. General dentist
When you visit your Mississauga dentist for a regular checkup, your appointment will be with a general dentist. They’re also called family dentists.
General dentists are your primary oral health providers. Their main focus is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health issues. They help keep your teeth clean, prevent tooth decay, monitor for developing oral diseases, and perform restorative dental work.
Every general dentist provides a wide variety of services, including:
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Teeth cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
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Dental examinations, including x-rays.
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Cavity treatment, such as fillings and crowns.
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Repairing chipped, cracked, or missing teeth.
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Oral cancer screenings.
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Tooth extractions.
Essentially, general dentists are responsible for all standard dental procedures and can treat most dental issues. If you have a complex or severe problem, your general dentist will likely refer you to a specialty dental professional.
2. Pediatric dentist
Pediatric dentists (also called pedodontists) specialize in the oral health of infants, children, and teenagers. They perform many of the same procedures and treatments as general dentists. However, pedodontists take a kid-friendly approach.
Trips to the dentist can be frightening for small children. As a result, pediatric dentists (and their teams) try to make these visits as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. They’re experts in patience as well as dental care!
Without a doubt, pedodontists have an in-depth understanding of pediatric-specific dental issues. They monitor the ongoing development of children’s teeth, provide early orthodontic care, and treat cavities (which are more prevalent in children).
3. Orthodontist
Orthodontists specialize in teeth and jaw alignment. Consequently, their focus is treating misalignment, malocclusions, biting problems, and crooked teeth, typically using traditional metal braces or clear aligners. In addition, they design custom mouthguards, headgear, and face masks to correct various alignment issues.
With the help of an orthodontist, you can achieve a straighter, more aesthetic smile. However, looks are not the only benefit of fixing alignment problems. Ensuring that your teeth and jaw are in the proper place can also improve the function of your mouth.
4. Cosmetic dentist
The aim of a cosmetic dentist is to improve the aesthetics of your smile. They offer a variety of procedures that can transform the size, shape, position, alignment, colour, and overall appearance of your gums and teeth. For example, you could see a cosmetic dentist for the following treatments:
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Teeth whitening
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Dental veneers
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Cosmetic bonding
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Implants
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Clear aligners
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Tooth recontouring
Although the primary focus of a cosmetic dentist is to improve the appearance of your smile, many of these procedures also have benefits for the function and health of your mouth.
5. Periodontist (gum specialist)
A periodontist specializes in the health of your gums. Specifically, they diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases or other problems with gums. You may be referred to a periodontist if you have extreme gum inflammation, pain, gum disease, gingivitis, or need implants.
Additionally, they can perform skin grafting for tissue if your gums have been damaged by gum disease.
6. Endodontist (root canal specialist)
Endodontists are considered root canal specialists because they focus on the pulp of the tooth. This is the innermost part of the tooth, which comprises of sensitive tissue and the nerve.
A root canal is performed to treat infection, inflammation, and decay within the pulp of the tooth. Infection can occur if the tooth sustains damage due to injury, trauma, or severe tooth decay. These infections are incredibly painful and need to be removed completely.
7. Oral pathologist
Oral pathologists have extensive schooling on the various diseases that can develop within the mouth. Consequently, they specialize in all areas related to disease management.
This includes everything from research, diagnosis, examination, treatment, and management. If you experience abnormal changes to your cheeks, gums, tongue, or teeth, you may likely be referred to an oral pathologist.
8. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
As the name suggests, oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in all kinds of oral surgery relating to the teeth, jaw, and face. For example, you will see an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal, reconstruction surgery, facial infection removal, sleep apnea treatments, dental implant placement, and jaw surgery.
In Canada, all oral and maxillofacial surgeons have completed at least one year’s residency in a hospital.
9. Prosthodontist
You may see a prosthodontist if you have a damaged, missing, or severely decayed tooth. Prosthodontists focus on oral prosthesis such as crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers, and teeth implants. Essentially, they are experts in the field of false teeth.
Losing or breaking a tooth greatly impacts the appearance and function of your mouth. It often becomes more difficult to chew, speak, and bite. Therefore, the job of a prosthodontist is to restore a tooth’s look and function using a custom oral prosthesis.
Looking for a Dentist in Mississauga? Contact Bristol Dental Clinic
At Bristol Dental Clinic, we are available to assist with all your oral health needs. We provide a wide variety of dental services, including general, cosmetic, orthodontic, endodontic, periodontal, and prosthodontic dentistry. Whether you need professional cleaning or more complex dental care, Bristol Dental Clinic can help.
To book an appointment with a dentist in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
