What Are The Major Types Of Dentists And Their Services?

Dentists treat different issues and parts of your mouth, gums, jaw, and teeth. Dentist specialists go through dental schools before completing additional training and education to enhance their skills. Your oral care problem determines the type of dentist you consult. Each dentist is vital in ensuring your overall well-being and dental health. Knowing the kind of services that each dentist specialist offers guides you when you want dental care services. Below are some major types of dental treatments that dentist specialists provide.

General Dentist 

A general dentist is the most common dentist specialist. They mainly offer hygiene care and restorative dentistry. They also provide primary total health care, such as routine dental assessments and teeth cleaning services. The assessment tests involve the general dentist examining your gum and teeth by conducting oral cancer screenings and regular or emergency exams. Moreover, the tests allow the general dentist to give treatments, including root canals, dental crowns, cavity removals, white fillings bridges, veneers, and white teething services. General dentist refers you to other dental specialists if you need additional procedures and services they aren't certified to provide. 

Gum Specialists 

As the name suggests, gum specialists, also called periodontists, repair and treat gum problem diseases. They also focus on problems concerning tissues and bones that support teeth. When patients lose bone surrounding teeth, the tooth becomes weak, and the patient can lose teeth. Periodontists check for signs of bone loss near the teeth during routine examinations. They then provide deep cleaning services using antibiotics to boost the health of the gums and limit bone loss around the teeth. Signs that you need to consult a gum specialist include unhealthy bacteria levels, excessive bleeding, and inflammation in your gums or tartar beneath the gums. Periodontists conduct procedures such as adding gum grafts, bone grafting, dental implants, and reducing excess gums to treat various gum and bone diseases.

Root Canal Specialists

Root canal specialists, commonly known as endodontists, deal with nerve pains and conditions affecting the nerve. They treat inflamed, sick, infected, or dead nerves that are painful to bear. That is because each tooth has a pulp containing living cells and vulnerable blood vessels. The pulp dies, and infection occurs if a crack, trauma, or cavity affects it hence the pain. Having swollen areas and pus draining from your root canal indicates the need for an endodontist. The treatment entails drilling a small access hole in the tooth, removing the infected tissue, cleaning and shaping the tooth canals, and placing the gutta percha (a rubber material) into the tooth canal. 

Wind Up 

You must conduct regular dental checkups to maintain good oral health. Accessing professional assistance enables you to manage potential dental problems and prevent further complications. Contact an experienced dentist to treat your dental conditions and guide you on the best practices for good oral health.

For more information on dental services, contact a professional near you.


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