There are many different types of dentists in the Santa Rosa area. Before you make your next appointment, make sure that you understand the different types of dental specialties that are available.
Many dental professionals have a specialized area of practice, and some of them require a referral from a general health practitioner or general dentist. This is due to the fact that many fields of dentistry perform surgery that should only be practiced on a patient who needs that surgery. Cosmetic dentistry relates to boosting the physical appearance of the mouth (teeth and gum line), while other dentistry involve bone and palate structure, the jawline, and other facial areas.
The following practices of dentistry are just a few of so many out there.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
These surgeons are trained to work on your mouth, jaws and face. They go through four years of dental school and then undergo four to seven years of training in a hospital or other type of medical facility. It prepares them to perform an assortment of surgeries that will repair the bones or tissues of your jaws, face or mouth.
Periodontists
These dentists treat gum disease. They go through dental school and need two more years of training after dental school. Their main focus is to help patients obtain and maintain healthy gums. There are eight types of dental specialties that are recognized by the American Dental Association, and periodontal specialists have this recognition.
When your dentist says that your gums aren’t healthy, he will work with the periodontist to treat your gums and make them healthier. They will suggest a treatment plan that helps you reach your goal, and they will interact with one during this time. Your Santa Rosa dentist refers you to a periodontist because he wants you to get healthier gums.
Endodontists
This type of dentist looks at, and treats tooth problems that are caused due to tooth pulp or periapical tissue damage.
He looks at your teeth and analyzes x-rays to tell if your pulps and tissues are strong and healthy. He recommends a treatment plan so that you are able to keep your teeth.
Prosthodontists
These dentists look at and determine what happens to your teeth once there is tooth loss and damaged tooth structure. They recommend treatment plans that will construct and correct the structures that your mouth, jaws and face need to function properly.
Pediatric Dentists
These dentists go through dental school and also two more years of training after dental school. This extra education readies them to treat children’s needs when it comes to dentistry. This could be things such as their development and behavior. Most dentists can treat children, but a pediatric dentist performs in a manner that caters specifically to children. This is seen the moment that you walk into his office, which is decorated in a manner that appeals to children. Consider using a pediatric dentist if your child requires special attention.
Orthodontists
This type of dentist knows how to treat problems that you may have with your teeth, jaws and mouth. With the use of tools such as braces and retainers, he can correct the positioning of your teeth and jawline.
People go to orthodontists for many different reasons. You might have tooth crowding or teeth that overlap. Or, maybe there is a problem with the jawline. All of these things could be a result of rotten teeth, the early loss of baby teeth, or injuries. These are also things that could be due to your family history.
Maybe your dentist or parents see one of the aforementioned problems and think that you need an orthodontist. This is a great option if you have concerns about the look of your smile due to misaligned or crooked teeth
