Types of Dental Doctors

A dentist is a health professional specializing in care related to the mouth, specifically for teeth, gums and tissue. Dentists must acquire an undergraduate degree and then enroll in dental school as well. The final step in obtaining a dental license is to take a state license examination. There are many types of dental doctors specializing in various areas of the field.

General Dentist

• General dentists provide primary care for the overall oral health of patients of all ages. He is trained in a variety of dental procedures and is normally responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of dental needs. The dentist may also refer patients to other dental specialists for more specialized treatment.

Pediodontist

• A pediodontist is a pediatric dentist specializing in the oral health of children from infancy to adolescence. This type of dentist commonly provides information like suggestions on preventing tooth decay and bacteria as well as developing healthy eating habits to protect their teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, early dental visits can help prevent cavities and promote healthy oral care.

Periodontist

• Periodontists specialize in treating patients with gum disease or any injuries of the teeth or gums. Most patients are referred to a periodontist by a general dentist after being diagnosed with gum disease or any condition best treated by a periodontist. While some periodontal conditions require dental scaling to remove tartar, other conditions require more severe treatments such as bone grafting. Becoming a periodontist requires a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree as well as three years of periodontal study.

Orthodontist

• Much like other dental doctors, an orthodontist has to complete two to three years of specialized training in addition to dental school. Orthodontists bring teeth, jaws and lips into alignment to create or improve smiles and facial irregularities. Depending on the type of treatment required, fees may vary for orthodontic treatments. The most common or known type of orthodontic treatment is braces to help straighten teeth. Children, teens and adults are treated by orthodontists.

Endodontist

• Endodontists are sometimes known as the root canal specialists. The job of an endodontist is to treat the inside of the tooth. A tooth consists of many different parts from the enamel of the crown to the pulp of the root. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the root canal and when infected or inflamed this is the area of the tooth treated. In addition to tooth decay, infection and inflammation can also result from a chipped or cracked tooth as well as recurring dental procedures.