It’s easy to make dental appointments with your West Haven dentist for standard cleanings every six months. However, there are many other reasons to see a dentist beyond the standard semiannual cleanings.
How do you know which type of specialist to see for problems like severe oral trauma, complex orthodontic work, or infected gums? With so many different dental professions and problems that can develop, it can be confusing to know who does what and where to go.
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Since we’re passionate about educating our patients, we want to make your quest for specialty dental care as easy as possible. We’ll break down the five most common areas of dental specialties and explain what they do.
1. Orthodontist
We all know someone who has had or currently has braces or clear aligners. While many of them may have gone to a general dentist for their teeth-straightening journey, others probably saw an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist with additional education specializing in jaw alignment and teeth straightening. They deal with braces, Invisalign, rubber bands, mouth gear, and more.
Orthodontists also help to prevent future orthodontic issues, which is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends patients begin seeing an orthodontist at age 7. You might visit an orthodontist for several reasons related to the alignment of teeth and jaws.
Here are some common reasons to see an orthodontist:
- Misaligned Teeth: To correct crooked or crowded teeth, which can affect appearance and oral health.
- Bite Issues: To address problems with bite alignment, such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites.
- Jaw Discomfort: To alleviate pain or discomfort caused by jaw alignment issues, which can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Space Maintenance: To manage the spacing of teeth, especially in children who may need space maintainers after losing baby teeth.
- Aesthetic Improvement: To enhance the smile and overall facial appearance through orthodontic treatment.
- Improved Oral Hygiene: To make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene by straightening teeth, which can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Preparation for Other Dental Procedures: To create the ideal alignment for future dental work, such as crowns or bridges.
Overall, visiting an orthodontist helps ensure a healthy, functional bite and a beautiful smile.
2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and defects in the mouth, face, neck, and jaw.
Someone would visit a maxillofacial surgeon for various conditions and treatments related to the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. Common reasons include:
- Wisdom Teeth Removal: To extract impacted or problematic wisdom teeth.
- Facial Trauma Repair: To treat jaw and facial injuries, such as fractures from accidents or sports injuries.
- Jaw Surgery: To correct jaw misalignments (orthognathic surgery) that affect chewing, speaking, or facial aesthetics.
- Tumor or Cyst Removal: To excise tumors or cysts in the jaw or facial region.
- Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: For surgical correction of congenital facial deformities.
- Dental Implants: Place implants for missing teeth, especially when bone grafting is required.
- TMJ Disorders: To address issues with the temporomandibular joint that cause pain or dysfunction.
- Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: For surgical management of cancers in the head and neck area.
Overall, a maxillofacial surgeon addresses complex surgical issues related to the structures of the face and jaws, providing functional and aesthetic improvements.
3. Periodontist
A periodontist is a dental specialist who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease and other conditions that affect the gums and jawbone.
Someone would visit a periodontist for specialized care related to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Common reasons include:
- Gum Disease Treatment: Diagnosing and treating conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis can lead to tooth loss if untreated.
- Periodontal Maintenance: Regular cleanings and monitoring of gum health are recommended, especially if the patient has a history of gum disease.
- Dental Implants: To evaluate and prepare the gums and bone for dental implant placement.
- Gum Recession: To address and treat receding gums, which can expose tooth roots and lead to sensitivity.
- Bone Loss: To assess and treat bone loss related to periodontal disease, potentially using bone grafts or other regenerative techniques.
- Mucogingival Surgery: These procedures correct issues with the gums, such as uneven gum lines or insufficient gum tissue.
- Oral Health Education: To receive guidance on maintaining healthy gums and preventing disease.
Visiting a periodontist helps ensure optimal gum health, crucial for oral health and tooth longevity.
4. Endodontist
An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in complex tooth problems that affect the tooth’s root, pulp, or both.
Someone would visit an endodontist for specialized treatment related to the inner tissues of the teeth. Common reasons include:
- Root Canal Therapy: To treat infections or damage to the tooth’s pulp, relieving pain and preserving the natural tooth.
- Tooth Pain Diagnosis: To determine the cause of unexplained tooth pain, which may stem from pulp or other dental problems.
- Retreatment of Previous Root Canals: To address issues if a tooth undergoing root canal therapy experiences complications or reinfection.
- Cracked Teeth: To assess and treat cracked or fractured teeth pain that may affect the pulp.
- Trauma Management: For treatment of teeth that have been injured or knocked out, especially in children and young adults.
- Endodontic Surgery: To perform surgical procedures, such as apicoectomy, when non-surgical treatments are ineffective.
Visiting an endodontist helps address complex dental issues related to tooth pulp, aiming to relieve pain and save natural teeth.
5. Pediatric Dentist
A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist who focuses on children’s oral health from infancy through age 17. They are trained to handle a child’s unique dental needs, including preventative care, cavity treatment, and managing dental anxiety.
You could take your child to a pediatric dentist for several reasons:
- Specialized Care: They understand the dental growth and development specific to children.
- Preventative Services: They provide education on proper oral hygiene and preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants.
- Behavior Management: They are skilled in techniques to help children feel comfortable and relaxed during dental visits.
- Treatment of Dental Issues: They can address common childhood dental problems, such as cavities, misaligned teeth, and trauma from injuries.
- Long-term Relationship: Establishing a dental home for your child promotes a positive attitude towards oral health as they grow.
A pediatric dentist ensures that children receive comprehensive and compassionate dental care tailored to their needs.
A general dentist is equipped to handle mild to moderate dental issues, such as routine cleanings and exams, restorative care and procedures, extractions, cosmetic dentistry, gum disease treatment, and patient education. When severe problems arise, your dentist in Layton might refer you to one of the above specialists.