Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is an incredibly important part of your oral health journey, throughout all stages of your life.
However, dentistry goes way beyond standard check-ups and common dental concerns. Sometimes it’s necessary for dentists to carry out different treatments to rectify a whole host of dental concerns, many of which can be incredibly complex.
With this in mind, dentists often have specific specialities that require a high level of training and qualifications.
So, when it comes to looking after your teeth, it’s important that you know what type of dentists can treat different dental concerns so that you can get the very best care.
What are the different types of dentists?
Within this article, we have taken a look at the different types of dentists and how they can help with different conditions.
The main types of dentists are:
1. General Dentist
The majority of us will see a general dentist on a regular basis, usually every six to twelve months. Specialising in treating a wide range of routine dental care concerns, including routine examinations, general dentists cover the most common forms of dentistry.
A general dentist will also handle emergency care too, including fillings, crowns, bridges, tooth repair, and veneers.
2. Paediatric Dentist: Children & Adolescent Dental Specialists
A paediatric dentist specialises in providing a wide range of oral health and dental services for both children and adolescents. After all, children and teenagers have different oral care needs from adults, which is why a specialist eye is required to guide these age groups through their oral development.
3. Cosmetic Dentist
Many people are unhappy with their smile, which can have a huge impact on their self-esteem and happiness, and even the functionality of their teeth. The good news is that there is now a whole host of cosmetic dentistry treatments available to rectify, enhance and restore smiles.
A cosmetic dentist specialises in improving the appearance of your teeth by carrying out procedures such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers, enamel shaping, crowns, orthodontics, and more.
4. Orthodontist: Tooth & Jaw Misalignment Experts
An Orthodontist specialises in the alignment of the teeth and jaw, using a range of different techniques and treatments to align your teeth and correct your bite. This is done by carrying out specialist procedures and using wires, retainers and braces to optimise the alignment of your teeth. This can help patients to talk, bite and chew better.
5. Endodontist: Root Canal & Dental Pulp Specialists
An Endodontist is a dental specialist who performs a range of routine and complex endodontic procedures, including root canal treatments and endodontic surgery, as well as procedures to save teeth after traumatic dental injuries.
Endodontists can also save teeth in situations where decay has reached the pulp causing it to become infected.
6. Periodontist: Gum Disease Experts
A periodontist is a gum disease expert that specialises in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all types of gum disease. Treating both mild and severe gum disease, this dental specialist is also highly trained in the placement, maintenance, and repair of dental implants.
7. Prosthodontist: Dental Restoration & Tooth Replacement Experts
A Prosthodontist specialises in the dental restoration of the teeth and jaw structure, as well as tooth replacement.
Prosthodontists are highly trained in dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures. They can also handle many cosmetic procedures too.
8. Oral Surgeon: Minor & Invasive Oral Surgery Specialists
An oral surgeon that specialises in minor and invasive oral surgery carries out smaller operations including removing wisdom teeth, severely broken-down teeth and impacted teeth.
This type of dentist is also responsible for carrying out biopsies and other procedures.
How to know which one you need?
When it comes to understanding what type of dentist you need, your general dentist will play a key role in determining who you need to see for treatment.
If you have any dental concerns you should always speak to a general dentist first.
