The world of medicine in general is one that most people don’t have a whole lot of knowledge about. Have you ever heard of a medical specialty and wondered what it really meant? What about dentistry? Is there a difference between your local dentist and a specialist?
Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions, dating back to 7000 BC. The first dental school was established in 1728 and since then the profession has continued to grow and evolve. As with any other medical field, dentistry has its own specialties.
Most people don’t know a whole lot about these specialties, unless they’re someone who happens to have to go to the dentist more often than the average person. Even then, they might not know exactly what it is that makes these specialties different from one another.
So, let’s take a look at specialty dentistry and find out what makes it special and how it can benefit you as a patient. Whether you’re just curious about this field or you have a specialty dentist that you’re going to see soon, this article will give you a better understanding of what they do and how they can help you.
What Exactly Does a Regular Dentist Do?
Most people have been to the dentist in their lifetime, and as such, they probably know at least a little bit about what dentists do. That being said, dentistry is a little more complicated than you might realize if you’ve only ever been to the dentist for a cleaning.
Dentists are medical professionals who focus on the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. They are trained to diagnose and treat problems with these areas of your body. In addition to cleanings, dentists can also provide you with other services such as fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, braces, and more.
The scope of dentistry has expanded in recent years as dental technology has advanced. This means that there are now more services that dentists can provide than ever before. Some of the most common procedures that dentists perform include:
- Cavity fillings:
- When a cavity forms in your tooth, the dentist will remove the decay and then fill the tooth with a material such as an amalgam, gold, or composite resin.
- Crowns:
- A crown is a type of dental restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth. It is used to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury.
- Bridges:
- A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of two crowns that are placed on either side of the empty space and artificial teeth (known as pontics) that are suspended between them.
- Dental implants:
- A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium that is placed into your jawbone in order to support an artificial tooth (or teeth).
- Braces:
- Braces are appliances that are used to straighten crooked teeth and close gaps between them. They consist of wires, brackets, and bands made from metal, ceramic, or plastic materials.
- Extractions:
- A tooth extraction is a procedure in which a dentist removes a tooth from your mouth. This is usually only done if the tooth is too damaged to be repaired or if it poses a threat to your other teeth.
- General preventive care:
- This includes services such as teeth cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments. These procedures are designed to prevent dental problems from occurring in the first place.
As you can see, dentists do more than just clean your teeth. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide range of dental problems. In addition to these procedures, dentists also provide advice on how to care for your teeth and gums. They can also answer any questions you may have about your oral health.
Dental Specialties Provide Specialize Care
So, if dentists in general are responsible for diagnosing and treating problems with your teeth, gums, and mouth, what exactly do specialty dentists do? Specialty dentists are those who have completed additional training in a specific area of dentistry. There are many different dental specialties, each of which focuses on different aspects of oral health.
Some of the most common dental specialties include:
- Endodontics:
- Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the pulp (the soft tissue inside your tooth). This includes procedures such as root canals.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery:
- This specialty focuses on surgical procedures involving the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. This includes procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction and corrective jaw surgery.
- Orthodontics:
- Orthodontics is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. This includes procedures such as braces and other appliances used to straighten teeth.
- Pediatric dentistry:
- Pediatric dentistry is a specialty that deals with the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. This includes procedures such as preventive care, sealants, and fluoride treatments.
- Periodontics:
- Periodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and other structures around the teeth. This includes procedures such as scaling and root planing (deep cleanings) and gum graft surgery.
- Prosthodontics:
- Prosthodontics is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of dental prostheses (artificial replacements for missing teeth). This includes procedures such as crowns, bridges, implants, veneers, partial dentures, full dentures, etc.
- Public health dentistry:
- Public health dentistry is concerned with the promotion of oral health and the prevention of dental disease. This includes community outreach programs and educational campaigns.
It might be helpful to think of your general dentist as the first line of defense when it comes to your oral health. They are the ones who you see for regular cleanings and checkups. If they notice anything that seems out of the ordinary, they will refer you to a specialist.
For example, if you have a cavity, your dentist will likely refer you to an endodontist for a root canal. Or if you need braces, they will refer you to an orthodontist. In some cases, your dentist may be able to treat the problem themselves, but in other cases, they may need to refer you to someone with more specialized training.
How to Avoid Seeing a Specialty Dentist
We all know the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” but how does one keep the dentist away? Certainly not with apples considering they’re loaded with sugar! The best way to avoid seeing a specialty dentist is by taking good care of your teeth on a daily basis.
The only way to make sure that you can stay out of the dentist’s chair as much as possible is to take good care of your teeth at home on a daily basis. If you slack on your oral hygiene, you’re more likely to develop serious dental problems that will require specialty dentistry to treat.
Here are some tips for keeping your teeth healthy:
- Brush your teeth:
- This should be done twice a day for two minutes each time. Be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Floss your teeth:
- This should be done once a day. Be sure to use dental floss or an interdental brush.
- Eat healthy foods:
- Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is good for your overall health, including your oral health. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks as much as possible.
- Don’t smoke:
- Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your oral health (and your overall health). It increases your risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. If you smoke, quit!
- See your dentist regularly:
- You should see your dentist at least once a year for a cleaning and checkup (more often if you have dental problems). This way they can catch any problems early on before they become serious.
Most people benefit the most from making these things into a routine. It can take some time to make something into a solid routine, but you can start by setting a goal for yourself. For instance, if you brush your teeth twice a day but only floss once a day, make it your goal to start flossing twice a day.
Set realistic goals that you can actually achieve and then stick to them. Once you make these things into habits, they’ll be much easier to keep up with and you won’t even have to think about it!
Getting the Healthiest Teeth Possible
Having healthy teeth means that you’re more likely to enjoy other health benefits as well. For instance, did you know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease? This is just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to take good care of your teeth.
Whether you see a general dentist or a specialist, the most important thing is that you make sure to see a dentist regularly. They are the best people to help you maintain your oral health and catch any problems early on before they become serious. So be sure to schedule an appointment today!