The Different Kinds of Dentists

The Dentist

The general dentist, often known by the title of the family dentist, looks after your oral health at check-ups and when treatment becomes necessary and is the most common type of dentist. Much of their work is focused on preventative oral care, such as cleaning, X-rays and providing educational advice about oral hygiene. While they will also take care of restorative issues such as fillings, and repairing chipped or cracked teeth, providing bridges or implants for missing teeth and problems caused by gum disease, there are times when they will refer you to alternative specialists for expert treatment. He may well be the one who tells you one of the children needs braces as the adult teeth are not growing straight and can talk you through the theory and the process, but it is likely to be the orthodontist who will actually perform the procedure.

The Orthodontist

The orthodontist is the dentist that kids really don’t want to be referred to, as they will undoubtedly associate him with being fitted with braces on the teeth, which very few children enjoy. The job of the orthodontist goes far beyond this though, as his area of specialisation covers the entire facial structure. They are trying to correct crooked teeth, and the jaw itself, along with other aspects of the face to provide an improved bite, where the teeth work properly as a team. Everyone’s teeth are slightly different, so for each patient, the orthodontist has to create a custom solution to correct developmental issues, through the use of mouth guards, braces, even facemasks. Unlike a filling which takes a matter of minutes, it takes months and years for the labours of the orthodontist to reach fruition.

The Prosthodontist

As the name suggests, dealing with prosthetics means, of course, the prosthodontist works in the field of replacing damaged and missing teeth, through the use of bridges, crowns and dental implants. If you’re looking for dental implants in Northbridge, it will be the prosthodontist performing the procedures for your smile makeover. With customised products for every patient, they not only provide cosmetic surgery but can also provide rectification work in case of very serious traumatic reconstruction procedures.

The Periodontist

The periodontist has, as his area of expertise, all things pertaining to preventing, diagnosing and providing treatment for a range of gum issues. Gingivitis is a type of gum disease, most easily spotted by red puffy gums which bleed easily when people brush their teeth. Left untreated it can lead to periodontitis, which is very serious and possibly the biggest cause of teeth loss. It can be caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, medication, fungal infections or viruses, and sometimes for no apparent reason, so treating it correctly can be tough.

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